This study aimed to identify the relationships among clinical nurses’ second victim experience following patient safety incidents, individual and organizational support, job satisfaction, and turnover intention, and to examine the factors influencing turnover intention. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 187 clinical nurses from a general hospital who had been employed for more than 6 months and had either directly or indirectly experienced patient safety incidents. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, the Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean scores for second victim experience, individual support, organizational support, job satisfaction, and turnover intention were 3.12, 3.94, 2.79, 3.05, and 3.87, respectively. The factors influencing turnover intention were organizational support (β=-.21, p=.042), job satisfaction (β=-.20, p=.047), and second victim experience (β=.14, p=.049). Conclusion: To alleviate clinical nurses’ turnover intention, it is necessary to implement strategies that reduce second victim experience and enhance organizational support and job satisfaction. In particular, hospital managers should recognize nurses’ second victim experience and make efforts to strengthen emotional care and establish organizational support systems for nurses following patient safety incidents.

Purpose: We aimed to derive insights by analyzing the results of a patient safety awareness survey conducted by the Regional Patient Safety Center of the Korean Medical Association. Methods: Survey questions were developed in three domains: sociodemographic characteristics, patient safety awareness, and patient safety education needs. An online anonymous survey targeting Korean physicians was conducted annually from 2021 to 2023. Chi-square tests were used to verify differences in responses by year and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: A total of 774 physicians participated in the survey over the three-year period. Approximately half of the participants were still assessed to have insufficient knowledge about patient safety, and no clear year-over-year improvement was observed. Additionally, while patient safety incidents appeared common, the proportion of respondents who reported incidents remained around 20%. However, participants showed high levels of agreement or engagement in patient participation activities related to patient safety (over 90%), with 60% having previously received patient safety-related education, and nearly 90% expressing willingness to participate in future education. The findings also highlighted a particular urgency in improving patient safety awareness among clinic-based physicians. Conclusion Promoting awareness of patient safety incident reporting methods and encouraging clinic-based physicians to report incidents should be prioritized. The study’s findings will provide a foundation for more effectively fostering physician engagement in patient safety improvement activities.

Background: Even before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexpected new infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, novel influenza A and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) affected the Korean healthcare systems. Nevertheless, during the COVID-19 period, we still experienced difficulties in systematic response. Especially in Ulsan Metropolitan City, which had no confirmed cases during the MERS, the response infrastructure was also very insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate in depth experiences of managers and practitioners of infectious disease management organizations with the COVID-19 response and identify areas for improvement in the response to future novel infectious diseases. Methods: We recruited participants through targeted and snowball sampling. Data were collected between March 27 and May 2, 2023, through in-depth interviews with 15 healthcare workers from Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, including civil servants, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, all of whom had experience with the COVID-19 response. Results: We extracted 1,496 semantic units, 16 subcategories, and 5 categories. The participants experienced confusion at being inserted into the infectious disease response without a thorough understanding of the work due to the sudden appearance of COVID-19.In the absence of precise manuals or designated consultancies, the participants’ confusion was exacerbated by frequent changes to guidelines and insufficient communication, and they felt despair by others’ passive attitudes, which contradicted their own feelings. They also felt bewildered that they were not supported by policy, despite having chosen to support a great cause in an emergency. Excessive workloads led to health problems. Nevertheless, the participants actively sought help, received support, made efforts to construct the response environment, and felt a sense of reward when they witnessed the results. The participants emphasized the need to build up the inadequate public healthcare system in Ulsan to prepare for future novel infectious diseases, to maintain a trained, professional workforce, and to secure a sufficient budget to provide support and compensation. Conclusion The findings indicate that local governments need to establish public healthcare systems and secure professionals for responding to novel infectious diseases.

Background: Even before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexpected new infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, novel influenza A and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) affected the Korean healthcare systems. Nevertheless, during the COVID-19 period, we still experienced difficulties in systematic response. Especially in Ulsan Metropolitan City, which had no confirmed cases during the MERS, the response infrastructure was also very insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate in depth experiences of managers and practitioners of infectious disease management organizations with the COVID-19 response and identify areas for improvement in the response to future novel infectious diseases. Methods: We recruited participants through targeted and snowball sampling. Data were collected between March 27 and May 2, 2023, through in-depth interviews with 15 healthcare workers from Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, including civil servants, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, all of whom had experience with the COVID-19 response. Results: We extracted 1,496 semantic units, 16 subcategories, and 5 categories. The participants experienced confusion at being inserted into the infectious disease response without a thorough understanding of the work due to the sudden appearance of COVID-19.In the absence of precise manuals or designated consultancies, the participants’ confusion was exacerbated by frequent changes to guidelines and insufficient communication, and they felt despair by others’ passive attitudes, which contradicted their own feelings. They also felt bewildered that they were not supported by policy, despite having chosen to support a great cause in an emergency. Excessive workloads led to health problems. Nevertheless, the participants actively sought help, received support, made efforts to construct the response environment, and felt a sense of reward when they witnessed the results. The participants emphasized the need to build up the inadequate public healthcare system in Ulsan to prepare for future novel infectious diseases, to maintain a trained, professional workforce, and to secure a sufficient budget to provide support and compensation. Conclusion The findings indicate that local governments need to establish public healthcare systems and secure professionals for responding to novel infectious diseases.

Background: Even before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexpected new infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, novel influenza A and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) affected the Korean healthcare systems. Nevertheless, during the COVID-19 period, we still experienced difficulties in systematic response. Especially in Ulsan Metropolitan City, which had no confirmed cases during the MERS, the response infrastructure was also very insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate in depth experiences of managers and practitioners of infectious disease management organizations with the COVID-19 response and identify areas for improvement in the response to future novel infectious diseases. Methods: We recruited participants through targeted and snowball sampling. Data were collected between March 27 and May 2, 2023, through in-depth interviews with 15 healthcare workers from Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, including civil servants, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, all of whom had experience with the COVID-19 response. Results: We extracted 1,496 semantic units, 16 subcategories, and 5 categories. The participants experienced confusion at being inserted into the infectious disease response without a thorough understanding of the work due to the sudden appearance of COVID-19.In the absence of precise manuals or designated consultancies, the participants’ confusion was exacerbated by frequent changes to guidelines and insufficient communication, and they felt despair by others’ passive attitudes, which contradicted their own feelings. They also felt bewildered that they were not supported by policy, despite having chosen to support a great cause in an emergency. Excessive workloads led to health problems. Nevertheless, the participants actively sought help, received support, made efforts to construct the response environment, and felt a sense of reward when they witnessed the results. The participants emphasized the need to build up the inadequate public healthcare system in Ulsan to prepare for future novel infectious diseases, to maintain a trained, professional workforce, and to secure a sufficient budget to provide support and compensation. Conclusion The findings indicate that local governments need to establish public healthcare systems and secure professionals for responding to novel infectious diseases.

Purpose: We aimed to derive insights by analyzing the results of a patient safety awareness survey conducted by the Regional Patient Safety Center of the Korean Medical Association. Methods: Survey questions were developed in three domains: sociodemographic characteristics, patient safety awareness, and patient safety education needs. An online anonymous survey targeting Korean physicians was conducted annually from 2021 to 2023. Chi-square tests were used to verify differences in responses by year and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: A total of 774 physicians participated in the survey over the three-year period. Approximately half of the participants were still assessed to have insufficient knowledge about patient safety, and no clear year-over-year improvement was observed. Additionally, while patient safety incidents appeared common, the proportion of respondents who reported incidents remained around 20%. However, participants showed high levels of agreement or engagement in patient participation activities related to patient safety (over 90%), with 60% having previously received patient safety-related education, and nearly 90% expressing willingness to participate in future education. The findings also highlighted a particular urgency in improving patient safety awareness among clinic-based physicians. Conclusion Promoting awareness of patient safety incident reporting methods and encouraging clinic-based physicians to report incidents should be prioritized. The study’s findings will provide a foundation for more effectively fostering physician engagement in patient safety improvement activities.

Background: Even before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unexpected new infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, novel influenza A and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) affected the Korean healthcare systems. Nevertheless, during the COVID-19 period, we still experienced difficulties in systematic response. Especially in Ulsan Metropolitan City, which had no confirmed cases during the MERS, the response infrastructure was also very insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate in depth experiences of managers and practitioners of infectious disease management organizations with the COVID-19 response and identify areas for improvement in the response to future novel infectious diseases. Methods: We recruited participants through targeted and snowball sampling. Data were collected between March 27 and May 2, 2023, through in-depth interviews with 15 healthcare workers from Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, including civil servants, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, all of whom had experience with the COVID-19 response. Results: We extracted 1,496 semantic units, 16 subcategories, and 5 categories. The participants experienced confusion at being inserted into the infectious disease response without a thorough understanding of the work due to the sudden appearance of COVID-19.In the absence of precise manuals or designated consultancies, the participants’ confusion was exacerbated by frequent changes to guidelines and insufficient communication, and they felt despair by others’ passive attitudes, which contradicted their own feelings. They also felt bewildered that they were not supported by policy, despite having chosen to support a great cause in an emergency. Excessive workloads led to health problems. Nevertheless, the participants actively sought help, received support, made efforts to construct the response environment, and felt a sense of reward when they witnessed the results. The participants emphasized the need to build up the inadequate public healthcare system in Ulsan to prepare for future novel infectious diseases, to maintain a trained, professional workforce, and to secure a sufficient budget to provide support and compensation. Conclusion The findings indicate that local governments need to establish public healthcare systems and secure professionals for responding to novel infectious diseases.

Purpose: We aimed to derive insights by analyzing the results of a patient safety awareness survey conducted by the Regional Patient Safety Center of the Korean Medical Association. Methods: Survey questions were developed in three domains: sociodemographic characteristics, patient safety awareness, and patient safety education needs. An online anonymous survey targeting Korean physicians was conducted annually from 2021 to 2023. Chi-square tests were used to verify differences in responses by year and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: A total of 774 physicians participated in the survey over the three-year period. Approximately half of the participants were still assessed to have insufficient knowledge about patient safety, and no clear year-over-year improvement was observed. Additionally, while patient safety incidents appeared common, the proportion of respondents who reported incidents remained around 20%. However, participants showed high levels of agreement or engagement in patient participation activities related to patient safety (over 90%), with 60% having previously received patient safety-related education, and nearly 90% expressing willingness to participate in future education. The findings also highlighted a particular urgency in improving patient safety awareness among clinic-based physicians. Conclusion Promoting awareness of patient safety incident reporting methods and encouraging clinic-based physicians to report incidents should be prioritized. The study’s findings will provide a foundation for more effectively fostering physician engagement in patient safety improvement activities.

Background: To precisely build a healthcare delivery system at regional levels, local patients’ healthcare service utilization patterns must be examined. Hence, this study utilized trend analysis of the relevance index of each disease of each essential medical service field at the municipal and provincial levels. Methods: This study analyzed customized databases released by the National Health Insurance Service from 2016–2020. Diseases defined in the Korean National Burden of Disease (KNBD) study were categorized into the following essential medical service fields:trauma care, cardiocerebrovascular, maternal and neonatal, mental health, infection, cancer, older adults’ care and rehabilitation, and others. Relevance index, the percentage of medical service utilization in a region by the residents of that region relative to their total medical service utilization, was examined by region (17 municipal and provincial regions) and disease area. The relevance index was determined based on the number of patients and the total outof-pocket expenses.Result: Eight of the 17 regions showed over a 90.0% relevance index in the infection area. In the cancer area, 14 regions (not including Seoul, Daegu, and Busan) had a relevance index lower than 75.0%. Throughout the analysis period (2016–2020), there were no significant variations in the relevance index. Diseases such as bone and connective tissue cancer (39.0%), neural tube defects (16.7%), and autism (57.1%) had low relevance index in the essential medical service fields. In all 17 regions, the relevance index of inpatients was lower than that of outpatients, and that for out-of-pocket expenses was lower than that based on the number of patients. Conclusion The relevance index of major diseases of each essential medical service field calculated in this study can provide good indicators for monitoring the level of an independent regional healthcare delivery system.