Purpose: The revised Clinical Skills Test (CST) of the Korean Medical Licensing Exam aims to provide a better assessment of physicians’ clinical competence and ability to interact with patients. This study examined the impact of the revised CST on medical education curricula and resources nationwide, while also identifying areas for improvement within the revised CST. Methods: This study surveyed faculty responsible for clinical clerkships at 40 medical schools throughout Korea to evaluate the status and changes in clinical skills education, assessment, and resources related to the CST. The researchers distributed the survey via email through regional consortia between December 7, 2023 and January 19, 2024. Results: Nearly all schools implemented preliminary student–patient encounters during core clinical rotations. Schools primarily conducted clinical skills assessments in the third and fourth years, with a simplified form introduced in the first and second years. Remedial education was conducted through various methods, including one-on-one feedback from faculty after the assessment. All schools established clinical skills centers and made ongoing improvements. Faculty members did not perceive the CST revisions as significantly altering clinical clerkship or skills assessments. They suggested several improvements, including assessing patient records to improve accuracy and increasing the objectivity of standardized patient assessments to ensure fairness. Conclusion During the CST, students’ involvement in patient encounters and clinical skills education increased, improving the assessment and feedback processes for clinical skills within the curriculum. To enhance students’ clinical competencies and readiness, strengthening the validity and reliability of the CST is essential.

Purpose: The revised Clinical Skills Test (CST) of the Korean Medical Licensing Exam aims to provide a better assessment of physicians’ clinical competence and ability to interact with patients. This study examined the impact of the revised CST on medical education curricula and resources nationwide, while also identifying areas for improvement within the revised CST. Methods: This study surveyed faculty responsible for clinical clerkships at 40 medical schools throughout Korea to evaluate the status and changes in clinical skills education, assessment, and resources related to the CST. The researchers distributed the survey via email through regional consortia between December 7, 2023 and January 19, 2024. Results: Nearly all schools implemented preliminary student–patient encounters during core clinical rotations. Schools primarily conducted clinical skills assessments in the third and fourth years, with a simplified form introduced in the first and second years. Remedial education was conducted through various methods, including one-on-one feedback from faculty after the assessment. All schools established clinical skills centers and made ongoing improvements. Faculty members did not perceive the CST revisions as significantly altering clinical clerkship or skills assessments. They suggested several improvements, including assessing patient records to improve accuracy and increasing the objectivity of standardized patient assessments to ensure fairness. Conclusion During the CST, students’ involvement in patient encounters and clinical skills education increased, improving the assessment and feedback processes for clinical skills within the curriculum. To enhance students’ clinical competencies and readiness, strengthening the validity and reliability of the CST is essential.

Purpose: The revised Clinical Skills Test (CST) of the Korean Medical Licensing Exam aims to provide a better assessment of physicians’ clinical competence and ability to interact with patients. This study examined the impact of the revised CST on medical education curricula and resources nationwide, while also identifying areas for improvement within the revised CST. Methods: This study surveyed faculty responsible for clinical clerkships at 40 medical schools throughout Korea to evaluate the status and changes in clinical skills education, assessment, and resources related to the CST. The researchers distributed the survey via email through regional consortia between December 7, 2023 and January 19, 2024. Results: Nearly all schools implemented preliminary student–patient encounters during core clinical rotations. Schools primarily conducted clinical skills assessments in the third and fourth years, with a simplified form introduced in the first and second years. Remedial education was conducted through various methods, including one-on-one feedback from faculty after the assessment. All schools established clinical skills centers and made ongoing improvements. Faculty members did not perceive the CST revisions as significantly altering clinical clerkship or skills assessments. They suggested several improvements, including assessing patient records to improve accuracy and increasing the objectivity of standardized patient assessments to ensure fairness. Conclusion During the CST, students’ involvement in patient encounters and clinical skills education increased, improving the assessment and feedback processes for clinical skills within the curriculum. To enhance students’ clinical competencies and readiness, strengthening the validity and reliability of the CST is essential.

Purpose: This study was conducted to deeply explore the work experiences of nurses in COVID-19 isolation wards. Methods: Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews with 11 nurses working in COVID-19 isolation wards from November 3 to November 23, 2023. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis. Results: The study identified three categories, seven themes, and 16 sub-themes. The categories were: ‘the reality of unprepared COVID-19 isolation wards’, ‘the ongoing process of change and coordination’, and ‘experiencing confusion in the process of returning to normal’. A common experience among nurses was ‘confusion due to changes’. Initially, there was confusion caused by the unfamiliar environment and lack of a work manual. Subsequently, confusion arose due to changes in the direction of the COVID-19 response. Finally, they experienced confusion in the process of returning to normal life, continually facing uncertainty. Conclusion Strategies are needed to improve the work environment of nurses in isolation wards for future infectious diseases and pandemics. Allocating nursing staff considering infection control tasks and patient care demands, and addressing communication problems in isolation wards is necessary. Routine education on infection control and preparation for emerging infectious diseases should be implemented, and an operational manual for duties in isolation ward should be prepared. Additionally, promoting psychological support systems for disaster response personnel and developing policies to alleviate physical difficulties are needed.

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Purpose: This study was conducted to deeply explore the work experiences of nurses in COVID-19 isolation wards. Methods: Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews with 11 nurses working in COVID-19 isolation wards from November 3 to November 23, 2023. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis. Results: The study identified three categories, seven themes, and 16 sub-themes. The categories were: ‘the reality of unprepared COVID-19 isolation wards’, ‘the ongoing process of change and coordination’, and ‘experiencing confusion in the process of returning to normal’. A common experience among nurses was ‘confusion due to changes’. Initially, there was confusion caused by the unfamiliar environment and lack of a work manual. Subsequently, confusion arose due to changes in the direction of the COVID-19 response. Finally, they experienced confusion in the process of returning to normal life, continually facing uncertainty. Conclusion Strategies are needed to improve the work environment of nurses in isolation wards for future infectious diseases and pandemics. Allocating nursing staff considering infection control tasks and patient care demands, and addressing communication problems in isolation wards is necessary. Routine education on infection control and preparation for emerging infectious diseases should be implemented, and an operational manual for duties in isolation ward should be prepared. Additionally, promoting psychological support systems for disaster response personnel and developing policies to alleviate physical difficulties are needed.

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Purpose: This study was conducted to deeply explore the work experiences of nurses in COVID-19 isolation wards. Methods: Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews with 11 nurses working in COVID-19 isolation wards from November 3 to November 23, 2023. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis. Results: The study identified three categories, seven themes, and 16 sub-themes. The categories were: ‘the reality of unprepared COVID-19 isolation wards’, ‘the ongoing process of change and coordination’, and ‘experiencing confusion in the process of returning to normal’. A common experience among nurses was ‘confusion due to changes’. Initially, there was confusion caused by the unfamiliar environment and lack of a work manual. Subsequently, confusion arose due to changes in the direction of the COVID-19 response. Finally, they experienced confusion in the process of returning to normal life, continually facing uncertainty. Conclusion Strategies are needed to improve the work environment of nurses in isolation wards for future infectious diseases and pandemics. Allocating nursing staff considering infection control tasks and patient care demands, and addressing communication problems in isolation wards is necessary. Routine education on infection control and preparation for emerging infectious diseases should be implemented, and an operational manual for duties in isolation ward should be prepared. Additionally, promoting psychological support systems for disaster response personnel and developing policies to alleviate physical difficulties are needed.

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Purpose: This study was conducted to deeply explore the work experiences of nurses in COVID-19 isolation wards. Methods: Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews with 11 nurses working in COVID-19 isolation wards from November 3 to November 23, 2023. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis. Results: The study identified three categories, seven themes, and 16 sub-themes. The categories were: ‘the reality of unprepared COVID-19 isolation wards’, ‘the ongoing process of change and coordination’, and ‘experiencing confusion in the process of returning to normal’. A common experience among nurses was ‘confusion due to changes’. Initially, there was confusion caused by the unfamiliar environment and lack of a work manual. Subsequently, confusion arose due to changes in the direction of the COVID-19 response. Finally, they experienced confusion in the process of returning to normal life, continually facing uncertainty. Conclusion Strategies are needed to improve the work environment of nurses in isolation wards for future infectious diseases and pandemics. Allocating nursing staff considering infection control tasks and patient care demands, and addressing communication problems in isolation wards is necessary. Routine education on infection control and preparation for emerging infectious diseases should be implemented, and an operational manual for duties in isolation ward should be prepared. Additionally, promoting psychological support systems for disaster response personnel and developing policies to alleviate physical difficulties are needed.