Background: As the global population ages, medical professionals are also aging. This study investigates the status of Korean anesthesiologists over the age of 60. Methods: Anesthesiologists aged 60 and older, residing and working in Korea, were invited to participate in this study via e-mail from February to March 2021 and by mail from June to August 2021. The survey consisted of 40 questions covering 10 topics, including health status, residence, work style, and economic status. Depending on the type of question, answers were ranked on a scale of 1, 2, and 3, with the most preferred response being selected. Results: A total of 63 responses were received, resulting in a response rate of 26.5%. Among the respondents, 56 were currently practicing as anesthesiologists and reported satisfaction with their clinical practice and life status. On average, they treated 24 patients per day without experiencing significant discomfort or inconvenience in their roles as senior physicians. Twenty-four respondents acknowledged physical discomfort related to aging, and nine expressed cautions regarding age-related changes. Fifty-two respondents indicated that reeducation for advanced medical practice as anesthesiologists was necessary. Conclusions Senior anesthesiologists in Korea are primarily working in secondary and tertiary hospitals and are satisfied with their current life status. A comprehensive evaluation of reeducation programs for advanced clinical practice and retirement strategies for senior anesthesiologists is needed to address the growing number of aging physicians in the workforce.

A booster dose can result in a similar reaction to the initial dose. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can produce a comparable reaction in the absence of specific pathophysiologic alterations. Case: An initial dose of rocuronium 40 mg was given to a male patient (50 years old, height 168 cm, weight 54 kg, body mass index 19.13 kg/m2 ) for anesthesia. The onset was usual, but the duration was brief. Two booster doses were administered at 20 min intervals, but recovery came quickly. So, acute tolerance was suspected. Muscle function was restored to greater than train-of-four ratio 0.75 while spontaneous aided breathing was maintained without the need of further NMBAs. Following the operation, sugammadex (1.85 mg/kg) was provided to prevent residual neuromuscular inhibition. Conclusions: Anesthetists must be able to suspect acute tolerance to NMBAs in patients with no unique medical history and have a plan to resolve it.

A booster dose can result in a similar reaction to the initial dose. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can produce a comparable reaction in the absence of specific pathophysiologic alterations. Case: An initial dose of rocuronium 40 mg was given to a male patient (50 years old, height 168 cm, weight 54 kg, body mass index 19.13 kg/m2 ) for anesthesia. The onset was usual, but the duration was brief. Two booster doses were administered at 20 min intervals, but recovery came quickly. So, acute tolerance was suspected. Muscle function was restored to greater than train-of-four ratio 0.75 while spontaneous aided breathing was maintained without the need of further NMBAs. Following the operation, sugammadex (1.85 mg/kg) was provided to prevent residual neuromuscular inhibition. Conclusions: Anesthetists must be able to suspect acute tolerance to NMBAs in patients with no unique medical history and have a plan to resolve it.

A booster dose can result in a similar reaction to the initial dose. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can produce a comparable reaction in the absence of specific pathophysiologic alterations. Case: An initial dose of rocuronium 40 mg was given to a male patient (50 years old, height 168 cm, weight 54 kg, body mass index 19.13 kg/m2 ) for anesthesia. The onset was usual, but the duration was brief. Two booster doses were administered at 20 min intervals, but recovery came quickly. So, acute tolerance was suspected. Muscle function was restored to greater than train-of-four ratio 0.75 while spontaneous aided breathing was maintained without the need of further NMBAs. Following the operation, sugammadex (1.85 mg/kg) was provided to prevent residual neuromuscular inhibition. Conclusions: Anesthetists must be able to suspect acute tolerance to NMBAs in patients with no unique medical history and have a plan to resolve it.

A booster dose can result in a similar reaction to the initial dose. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can produce a comparable reaction in the absence of specific pathophysiologic alterations. Case: An initial dose of rocuronium 40 mg was given to a male patient (50 years old, height 168 cm, weight 54 kg, body mass index 19.13 kg/m2 ) for anesthesia. The onset was usual, but the duration was brief. Two booster doses were administered at 20 min intervals, but recovery came quickly. So, acute tolerance was suspected. Muscle function was restored to greater than train-of-four ratio 0.75 while spontaneous aided breathing was maintained without the need of further NMBAs. Following the operation, sugammadex (1.85 mg/kg) was provided to prevent residual neuromuscular inhibition. Conclusions: Anesthetists must be able to suspect acute tolerance to NMBAs in patients with no unique medical history and have a plan to resolve it.

A booster dose can result in a similar reaction to the initial dose. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can produce a comparable reaction in the absence of specific pathophysiologic alterations. Case: An initial dose of rocuronium 40 mg was given to a male patient (50 years old, height 168 cm, weight 54 kg, body mass index 19.13 kg/m2 ) for anesthesia. The onset was usual, but the duration was brief. Two booster doses were administered at 20 min intervals, but recovery came quickly. So, acute tolerance was suspected. Muscle function was restored to greater than train-of-four ratio 0.75 while spontaneous aided breathing was maintained without the need of further NMBAs. Following the operation, sugammadex (1.85 mg/kg) was provided to prevent residual neuromuscular inhibition. Conclusions: Anesthetists must be able to suspect acute tolerance to NMBAs in patients with no unique medical history and have a plan to resolve it.

Background: The most recent variant of concern, omicron (B.1.1.529), has caused numerous cases worldwide including the Republic of Korea due to its fast transmission and reduced vaccine effectiveness. Methods: A mathematical model considering age-structure, vaccine, antiviral drugs, and influx of the omicron variant was developed. We estimated transmission rates among age groups using maximum likelihood estimation for the age-structured model. The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs; in community and border), quantified by a parameter μ in the force of infection, and vaccination were examined through a multi-faceted analysis. A theory-based endemic equilibrium study was performed to find the manageable number of cases according to omicron- and healthcare-related factors. Results: By fitting the model to the available data, the estimated values of μ ranged from 0.31 to 0.73, representing the intensity of NPIs such as social distancing level. If μ < 0.55 and 300,000 booster shots were administered daily from February 3, 2022, the number of severe cases was forecasted to exceed the severe bed capacity. Moreover, the number of daily cases is reduced as the timing of screening measures is delayed. If screening measure was intensified as early as November 24, 2021 and the number of overseas entrant cases was contained to 1 case per 10 days, simulations showed that the daily incidence by February 3, 2022 could have been reduced by 87%. Furthermore, we found that the incidence number in mid-December 2021 exceeded the theory-driven manageable number of daily cases. Conclusion NPIs, vaccination, and antiviral drugs influence the spread of omicron and number of severe cases in the Republic of Korea. Intensive and early screening measures during the emergence of a new variant is key in controlling the epidemic size. Using the endemic equilibrium of the model, a formula for the manageable daily cases depending on the severity rate and average length of hospital stay was derived so that the number of severe cases does not surpass the severe bed capacity.

Objective: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation is important for the survival of cardiac arrest patients. The rapid recognition of cardiac arrest by dispatchers leads to quicker initiation of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This study examines the use of video phone by dispatchers in recognizing cardiac arrest. Methods: Between June to October 2018, 227 participants were recruited (114 lay people and 113 dispatchers) for this study. Lay people participants answered prepared questionnaires after watching 6 scenario video clips of a collapsed virtual patient with unresponsiveness. Dispatchers were divided into two groups: audio call group and video call group. The audio call group judged for occurrence of a cardiac arrest in the 6 scenarios, referring only to questionnaires of the lay people. The video call group judged the same scenarios referring to questionnaires and scenario video clips. The score of correct answers of each scenario was subsequently analyzed. Results: Significant difference was obtained for the total score among the audio call group and the video call group (3.67 ±1.3 vs. 4.66±1.11, respectively; P<0.001). In 2 scenarios concerning cardiac arrest with gasping, the correct answer rate was higher in the video call group (63.9% vs. 85.2%, P<0.001; 59.5% vs. 74.8%, P=0.014). In 2 other scenarios showing non-cardiac arrest with normal breathing, the correct answer rate was also higher in the video call group (52.7% vs. 71.4, P=0.010; 38.2% vs. 63.6%, P<0.001). Conclusion This study determined that compared to the audio call group, dispatchers of the video call group were more accurate in recognizing cardiac arrest. This indicates that video phones are more helpful in determining gasping and in discerning cardiac arrest with syncope or seizure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a simulation-based practice program on nursing students' self-efficacy, critical thinking disposition and problem solving process.METHOD: A quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group pre-post test, design was used. A total of 111 students, 53 students for the experimental group and 58 students for the control group. The experimental group participated in the program for 30 hours during 4 days. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, X2-test, Fisher's exact probability test, and t-test.RESULTS: The results showed that the simulation-based practice program significantly improved self - efficacy and critical thinking disposition of nursing students. However, there was no significant difference in the problem solving process.CONCLUSION: Therefore, to promote self-efficacy and critical thinking disposition in nursing students, it is necessary to actively use simulation-based practice program. To improve the problem solving process in the future, it is necessary to apply the simulation-based practice program to the nursing curriculum continuously and to use it considering sufficient education periods.
Curriculum ; Education ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Humans ; Methods ; Nursing ; Problem Solving ; Students, Nursing ; Thinking