Purpose: This study aimed to explore the training experiences and educational needs of personnel working at nationally designated infectious disease control institutions in South Korea. Specifically, it sought to identify the barriers encountered in infectious disease response, assess the perceived effectiveness of current training programs, and determine key competencies and tailored educational needs across occupational groups. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using focus group interviews with 34 participants, including healthcare and nonhealthcare personnel engaged in infectious disease control. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Data was collected over 5 weeks via online interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Investigator triangulation and member checking were used to enhance the analytical rigor. Results: The participants reported that the current training program contributed to improved confidence, role clarity, and interdepartmental collaboration. However, multiple barriers were identified, including a lack of standardized scenarios, insufficient hands-on training, unclear guidelines, and low accessibility across roles. Key educational needs included scenario-based simulations, job-specific content, advanced clinical skills, psychological support, and interorganizational collaboration. Training preferences varied by job category, underscoring the need for differentiated role-based training modules. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of shifting from theory-based to practice-oriented education on infectious disease responses. To build sustainable preparedness systems, training programs should be scenario-driven, repetitive, and psychologically supportive. Institutional policies must ensure flexibility, equity of access, and proper incentives for participation. Future efforts should prioritize the development of standardized competency-based curricula tailored to diverse occupational roles within infectious disease response systems.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether a multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination-selective (MAVRIC-SL) sequence, which reduces susceptibility artifacts, is useful for postoperative evaluation. Methods: MRI was performed on four dogs that underwent CCLR correction using metallic implants. Imaging was performed with MAVRIC-SL and two-dimensional fast spin echo (2D-FSE) sequences, including proton density (PD), PD fat-suppressed (F/S), and T2-weighted F/S. The artifact area for each sequence was quantitatively analyzed. A four-level qualitative image analysis was performed to assess image artifacts, cartilage delineation, and visualization of the cranial cruciate ligament and bone. Results: The artifact area was significantly reduced with MAVRIC-SL than with 2D-FSE, regardless of the metal materials used. In addition, the amount of artifact, cartilage delineation, and visualization of the bone were significantly improved with MAVRIC-SL compared with 2D-FSE. Conclusions and Relevance: In this preliminary study, the MAVRIC-SL sequence improves postoperative MRI evaluation by reducing susceptibility artifacts in dogs with CCLR treated with metallic implants.

Objective: Dentists encounter unique occupational challenges, including stress, depression, and anxiety, that can impact their mental well-being. Therefore, it is essential to identify dentists’ mental health statuses and the factors influencing them. Understanding the heterogeneity in dentists’ mental health is crucial for tailored interventions. To investigate different mental health profiles within the dentist population and understand the characteristics of each type. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 261 Korean dentists from a sample of 1,520. Using latent profile analysis, participants were classified into distinct mental health profiles based on self-reported stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality. Demographic and occupational variables were analyzed to explore their association with mental health profiles. Results: Three distinct mental health profiles were identified: high, moderate, and low. Factors such as drinking frequency, socioeconomic status, income, and work hours significantly influenced profile classification. Significant differences in job satisfaction were observed among the profiles. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of personalized interventions to address the specific needs of each mental health profile, aiming to improve job satisfaction and overall mental health in the dental profession.

Objective: Dentists encounter unique occupational challenges, including stress, depression, and anxiety, that can impact their mental well-being. Therefore, it is essential to identify dentists’ mental health statuses and the factors influencing them. Understanding the heterogeneity in dentists’ mental health is crucial for tailored interventions. To investigate different mental health profiles within the dentist population and understand the characteristics of each type. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 261 Korean dentists from a sample of 1,520. Using latent profile analysis, participants were classified into distinct mental health profiles based on self-reported stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality. Demographic and occupational variables were analyzed to explore their association with mental health profiles. Results: Three distinct mental health profiles were identified: high, moderate, and low. Factors such as drinking frequency, socioeconomic status, income, and work hours significantly influenced profile classification. Significant differences in job satisfaction were observed among the profiles. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of personalized interventions to address the specific needs of each mental health profile, aiming to improve job satisfaction and overall mental health in the dental profession.

Objective: Dentists encounter unique occupational challenges, including stress, depression, and anxiety, that can impact their mental well-being. Therefore, it is essential to identify dentists’ mental health statuses and the factors influencing them. Understanding the heterogeneity in dentists’ mental health is crucial for tailored interventions. To investigate different mental health profiles within the dentist population and understand the characteristics of each type. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 261 Korean dentists from a sample of 1,520. Using latent profile analysis, participants were classified into distinct mental health profiles based on self-reported stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality. Demographic and occupational variables were analyzed to explore their association with mental health profiles. Results: Three distinct mental health profiles were identified: high, moderate, and low. Factors such as drinking frequency, socioeconomic status, income, and work hours significantly influenced profile classification. Significant differences in job satisfaction were observed among the profiles. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of personalized interventions to address the specific needs of each mental health profile, aiming to improve job satisfaction and overall mental health in the dental profession.

Objective: Dentists encounter unique occupational challenges, including stress, depression, and anxiety, that can impact their mental well-being. Therefore, it is essential to identify dentists’ mental health statuses and the factors influencing them. Understanding the heterogeneity in dentists’ mental health is crucial for tailored interventions. To investigate different mental health profiles within the dentist population and understand the characteristics of each type. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 261 Korean dentists from a sample of 1,520. Using latent profile analysis, participants were classified into distinct mental health profiles based on self-reported stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality. Demographic and occupational variables were analyzed to explore their association with mental health profiles. Results: Three distinct mental health profiles were identified: high, moderate, and low. Factors such as drinking frequency, socioeconomic status, income, and work hours significantly influenced profile classification. Significant differences in job satisfaction were observed among the profiles. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of personalized interventions to address the specific needs of each mental health profile, aiming to improve job satisfaction and overall mental health in the dental profession.

Objective: Dentists encounter unique occupational challenges, including stress, depression, and anxiety, that can impact their mental well-being. Therefore, it is essential to identify dentists’ mental health statuses and the factors influencing them. Understanding the heterogeneity in dentists’ mental health is crucial for tailored interventions. To investigate different mental health profiles within the dentist population and understand the characteristics of each type. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 261 Korean dentists from a sample of 1,520. Using latent profile analysis, participants were classified into distinct mental health profiles based on self-reported stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality. Demographic and occupational variables were analyzed to explore their association with mental health profiles. Results: Three distinct mental health profiles were identified: high, moderate, and low. Factors such as drinking frequency, socioeconomic status, income, and work hours significantly influenced profile classification. Significant differences in job satisfaction were observed among the profiles. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of personalized interventions to address the specific needs of each mental health profile, aiming to improve job satisfaction and overall mental health in the dental profession.

The standard radiation protection method in the angiography suite involves the use of a thyroid shield, a lead apron, and lead glasses. However, exposure to substantial amounts of ionizing radiation can cause cataracts, tumors, and skin erythema. A newly developed curtain-type radiation protection device consists of a curtain drape composed of a five-layer bismuth and lead acrylic head-shielding plate, with both bearing an equivalent 0.25 mm lead thickness. In this study, a quality assurance phantom was used as the patient to create radiation scatter from the radiographic source, and an anthropomorphic mannequin phantom was used as the interventionalist to measure the radiation dose at seven different anatomical locations. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to measure the radiation dose. The experimental groups consisted of all-sided or one-sided curtain set-ups, the presence or absence of a conventional shielding system, and the orientation of beam irradiation. Consequently, the curtain-type radiation protection device exhibited better radiation protection range and capabilities than conventional radiation protection systems, especially in safeguarding the forehead, eyes, arms, and feet, with minimal radiation exposure.Moreover, the mean shielding ratios of the conventional shielding system and curtain-type radiation protection device were measured at 51.94% and 93.86%, respectively. Additionally, no significant decrease in the radiation protection range or capability was observed, even with changes in the beam orientation or one-sided protection. Compared with a conventional shielding system, the curtain-type radiation protection device decreased radiation exposure doses and improved comfort. Therefore, it is a potential new radiation protection device for veterinary interventional procedures.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of social distancing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been evaluated using the magnitude of changes in population mobility. This study aimed to investigate a direct indicator—namely, the number of close contacts per patient with confirmed COVID-19. METHODS: From week 7, 2020 to week 43, 2021, population movement changes were calculated from the data of two Korean telecommunication companies and Google in accordance with social distancing stringency levels. Data on confirmed cases and their close contacts among residents of Gyeonggi Province, Korea were combined at each stage. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to compare the movement data with the change in the number of contacts for each confirmed case calculated by stratification according to age group. The reference value of the population movement data was set using the value before mid-February 2020, considering each data’s characteristics. RESULTS: In the age group of 18 or younger, the number of close contacts per confirmed case decreased or increased when the stringency level was strengthened or relaxed, respectively. In adults, the correlation was relatively low, with no correlation between the change in the number of close contacts per confirmed case and the change in population movement after the commencement of vaccination for adults. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of governmental social distancing policies against COVID-19 can be evaluated using the number of close contacts per confirmed case as a direct indicator, especially for each age group. Such an analysis can facilitate policy changes for specific groups.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the viral cycle threshold (Ct) values of infected patients to better understand viral kinetics by vaccination status during different periods of variant predominance in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. METHODS: We obtained case-specific data from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance system, Gyeonggi in-depth epidemiological report system, and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from January 2020 to January 2022. We defined periods of variant predominance and explored Ct values by analyzing viral sequencing test results. Using a generalized additive model, we performed a nonlinear regression analysis to determine viral kinetics over time. RESULTS: Cases in the Delta variant’s period of predominance had higher viral shedding patterns than cases in other periods. The temporal change of viral shedding did not vary by vaccination status in the Omicron-predominant period, but viral shedding decreased in patients who had completed their third vaccination in the Delta-predominant period. During the Delta-predominant and Omicron-predominant periods, the time from symptom onset to peak viral shedding based on the E gene was approximately 2.4 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2 to 2.5) and 2.1 days (95% CI, 2.0 to 2.1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS In one-time tests conducted to diagnose COVID-19 in a large population, although no adjustment for individual characteristics was conducted, it was confirmed that viral shedding differed by the predominant strain and vaccination history. These results show the value of utilizing hundreds of thousands of test data produced at COVID-19 screening test centers.