Purpose: The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic led to significant changes in clinical clerkships, including reduced ward rounds. We aimed to determine how the pandemic–induced changes in the clinical practice environment affect the clinical performance of medical students. Methods: We analyzed objective structured clinical examination scores of third- and fourth-year medical students from 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 across six stations by the Seoul–Gyeonggi Consortium. Clinical, communication, and ability scores were measured and analyzed using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The interaction between clinical practice progress and pandemic-induced changes significantly affected physical examination and medical history scores, though the differences were not substantial. Patient-physician interaction significance varied by measurement period. Clinical communication ability also showed significant differences based on the measurement period and practical experience. Conclusion During the pandemic, alternative learning methods, including self–learning, simulation/practice, and peer role–play, helped improve medical competency in areas such as history–taking and physical examination. However, these were less effective in improving patient–physician interactions or clinical communication efficacy. Alternative learning methods have limitations, and they cannot replace direct patient encounters in clinical practice.

Purpose: The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic led to significant changes in clinical clerkships, including reduced ward rounds. We aimed to determine how the pandemic–induced changes in the clinical practice environment affect the clinical performance of medical students. Methods: We analyzed objective structured clinical examination scores of third- and fourth-year medical students from 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 across six stations by the Seoul–Gyeonggi Consortium. Clinical, communication, and ability scores were measured and analyzed using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The interaction between clinical practice progress and pandemic-induced changes significantly affected physical examination and medical history scores, though the differences were not substantial. Patient-physician interaction significance varied by measurement period. Clinical communication ability also showed significant differences based on the measurement period and practical experience. Conclusion During the pandemic, alternative learning methods, including self–learning, simulation/practice, and peer role–play, helped improve medical competency in areas such as history–taking and physical examination. However, these were less effective in improving patient–physician interactions or clinical communication efficacy. Alternative learning methods have limitations, and they cannot replace direct patient encounters in clinical practice.

Purpose: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative research findings on factors influencing medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: This study used the qualitative meta-synthesis method proposed by Thomas and Harden to categorize results based on the ecological model. A systematic literature review of nine databases, including international (CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science) and domestic (DBpia, KCI, KISS, KoreaMed, RISS, and ScienceON) databases, was conducted from November 5 to December 4, 2024 to identify qualitative studies on medication adherence among South Korean adults aged 19 years or older who were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Results: Three studies on medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia identified five key themes within the ecological model, encompassing both barriers and facilitators. These themes emerged across different factors, including intrapersonal (barriers: lack of insight and perceived burden of taking psychiatric medication; facilitators: acceptance of medication as treatment), interpersonal (facilitators: supportive systems), and community factors (barriers: stigma related to the use of psychiatric medication). Conclusion These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive, multifactor approach to improving medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. This study also provides foundational data for the development of targeted interventions to enhance treatment adherence in these individuals.

Purpose: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative research findings on factors influencing medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: This study used the qualitative meta-synthesis method proposed by Thomas and Harden to categorize results based on the ecological model. A systematic literature review of nine databases, including international (CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science) and domestic (DBpia, KCI, KISS, KoreaMed, RISS, and ScienceON) databases, was conducted from November 5 to December 4, 2024 to identify qualitative studies on medication adherence among South Korean adults aged 19 years or older who were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Results: Three studies on medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia identified five key themes within the ecological model, encompassing both barriers and facilitators. These themes emerged across different factors, including intrapersonal (barriers: lack of insight and perceived burden of taking psychiatric medication; facilitators: acceptance of medication as treatment), interpersonal (facilitators: supportive systems), and community factors (barriers: stigma related to the use of psychiatric medication). Conclusion These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive, multifactor approach to improving medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. This study also provides foundational data for the development of targeted interventions to enhance treatment adherence in these individuals.

Purpose: The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic led to significant changes in clinical clerkships, including reduced ward rounds. We aimed to determine how the pandemic–induced changes in the clinical practice environment affect the clinical performance of medical students. Methods: We analyzed objective structured clinical examination scores of third- and fourth-year medical students from 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 across six stations by the Seoul–Gyeonggi Consortium. Clinical, communication, and ability scores were measured and analyzed using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The interaction between clinical practice progress and pandemic-induced changes significantly affected physical examination and medical history scores, though the differences were not substantial. Patient-physician interaction significance varied by measurement period. Clinical communication ability also showed significant differences based on the measurement period and practical experience. Conclusion During the pandemic, alternative learning methods, including self–learning, simulation/practice, and peer role–play, helped improve medical competency in areas such as history–taking and physical examination. However, these were less effective in improving patient–physician interactions or clinical communication efficacy. Alternative learning methods have limitations, and they cannot replace direct patient encounters in clinical practice.

Purpose: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative research findings on factors influencing medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: This study used the qualitative meta-synthesis method proposed by Thomas and Harden to categorize results based on the ecological model. A systematic literature review of nine databases, including international (CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science) and domestic (DBpia, KCI, KISS, KoreaMed, RISS, and ScienceON) databases, was conducted from November 5 to December 4, 2024 to identify qualitative studies on medication adherence among South Korean adults aged 19 years or older who were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Results: Three studies on medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia identified five key themes within the ecological model, encompassing both barriers and facilitators. These themes emerged across different factors, including intrapersonal (barriers: lack of insight and perceived burden of taking psychiatric medication; facilitators: acceptance of medication as treatment), interpersonal (facilitators: supportive systems), and community factors (barriers: stigma related to the use of psychiatric medication). Conclusion These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive, multifactor approach to improving medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. This study also provides foundational data for the development of targeted interventions to enhance treatment adherence in these individuals.

Purpose: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative research findings on factors influencing medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: This study used the qualitative meta-synthesis method proposed by Thomas and Harden to categorize results based on the ecological model. A systematic literature review of nine databases, including international (CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science) and domestic (DBpia, KCI, KISS, KoreaMed, RISS, and ScienceON) databases, was conducted from November 5 to December 4, 2024 to identify qualitative studies on medication adherence among South Korean adults aged 19 years or older who were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Results: Three studies on medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia identified five key themes within the ecological model, encompassing both barriers and facilitators. These themes emerged across different factors, including intrapersonal (barriers: lack of insight and perceived burden of taking psychiatric medication; facilitators: acceptance of medication as treatment), interpersonal (facilitators: supportive systems), and community factors (barriers: stigma related to the use of psychiatric medication). Conclusion These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive, multifactor approach to improving medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. This study also provides foundational data for the development of targeted interventions to enhance treatment adherence in these individuals.

Purpose: The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic led to significant changes in clinical clerkships, including reduced ward rounds. We aimed to determine how the pandemic–induced changes in the clinical practice environment affect the clinical performance of medical students. Methods: We analyzed objective structured clinical examination scores of third- and fourth-year medical students from 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 across six stations by the Seoul–Gyeonggi Consortium. Clinical, communication, and ability scores were measured and analyzed using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The interaction between clinical practice progress and pandemic-induced changes significantly affected physical examination and medical history scores, though the differences were not substantial. Patient-physician interaction significance varied by measurement period. Clinical communication ability also showed significant differences based on the measurement period and practical experience. Conclusion During the pandemic, alternative learning methods, including self–learning, simulation/practice, and peer role–play, helped improve medical competency in areas such as history–taking and physical examination. However, these were less effective in improving patient–physician interactions or clinical communication efficacy. Alternative learning methods have limitations, and they cannot replace direct patient encounters in clinical practice.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus is a severe distressing condition that frequently occurs in patients undergoing dialysis. In this study, the profile of the skin microbiome was analyzed to understand the underlying etiology and potential treatments. Methods: Seventy-six end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients (hemodialysis, 40; peritoneal dialysis, 36) and 15 healthy controls were enrolled and swabbed at three sites: back, antecubital fossa, and shin. The pruritus severity of the enrolled subjects was validated by the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS), 5-D itch scale, and Uremic Pruritus in Dialysis Patients (UP-Dial). The 16S genebased metagenomics method was applied to skin microbiome analysis. Results: In the comparison of bacterial communities of ESKD patients and the control group, there was a significant difference on back. Specifically, the average composition ratio of the Cutibacterium in the back samples was significantly lower in ESKD patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). In further analysis of ESKD patients, Cutibacterium was significantly lower in the high pruritus group than in the low pruritus group (p < 0.05), even though other clinical parameters such as age, calcium-phosphorus product, and intact parathyroid hormone showed no significance difference between the groups. Conclusion: In ESKD patients, the skin microbiome of the back was significantly altered, and the severity of itching was related to the reduction of Cutibacterium. This research reveals the relationship between skin microbiota and CKD-associated pruritus in multiple skin sites for the first time. The results of this study suggest a potential data basis for the diagnosis and treatment of CKD-associated pruritus.