Single-cell omics technologies have transformed our investigation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes at the individual cell level. In particular, the application of single-cell RNA sequencing has unveiled the complex transcriptional variations inherent in cardiac cells, offering valuable perspectives into their dynamics. This review focuses on the integration of single-cell omics with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the context of cardiovascular research, offering a unique avenue to deepen our understanding of cardiac biology. By synthesizing insights from various single-cell technologies, we aim to elucidate the molecular intricacies of heart health and diseases. Beyond current methodologies, we explore the potential of emerging paradigms such as single-cell/spatial omics, delving into their capacity to reveal the spatial organization of cellular components within cardiac tissues. Furthermore, we anticipate their transformative role in shaping the future of cardiovascular research. This review aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field, offering a comprehensive perspective on the synergistic potential of transcriptomic analyses, iPSC applications, and the evolving frontier of spatial omics.

Single-cell omics technologies have transformed our investigation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes at the individual cell level. In particular, the application of single-cell RNA sequencing has unveiled the complex transcriptional variations inherent in cardiac cells, offering valuable perspectives into their dynamics. This review focuses on the integration of single-cell omics with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the context of cardiovascular research, offering a unique avenue to deepen our understanding of cardiac biology. By synthesizing insights from various single-cell technologies, we aim to elucidate the molecular intricacies of heart health and diseases. Beyond current methodologies, we explore the potential of emerging paradigms such as single-cell/spatial omics, delving into their capacity to reveal the spatial organization of cellular components within cardiac tissues. Furthermore, we anticipate their transformative role in shaping the future of cardiovascular research. This review aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field, offering a comprehensive perspective on the synergistic potential of transcriptomic analyses, iPSC applications, and the evolving frontier of spatial omics.

Single-cell omics technologies have transformed our investigation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes at the individual cell level. In particular, the application of single-cell RNA sequencing has unveiled the complex transcriptional variations inherent in cardiac cells, offering valuable perspectives into their dynamics. This review focuses on the integration of single-cell omics with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the context of cardiovascular research, offering a unique avenue to deepen our understanding of cardiac biology. By synthesizing insights from various single-cell technologies, we aim to elucidate the molecular intricacies of heart health and diseases. Beyond current methodologies, we explore the potential of emerging paradigms such as single-cell/spatial omics, delving into their capacity to reveal the spatial organization of cellular components within cardiac tissues. Furthermore, we anticipate their transformative role in shaping the future of cardiovascular research. This review aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field, offering a comprehensive perspective on the synergistic potential of transcriptomic analyses, iPSC applications, and the evolving frontier of spatial omics.

Objectives: Transitional periods, such as patient discharge, are notably challenging. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of providers involved in hospital discharge support programs, identify the primary obstacles, and propose strategies for improvement. Methods: In this qualitative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 49 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and social workers, who participated in two pilot programs. We organized focus group interviews with 3-6 participants per group, segmented by the type of discharge support program and profession. For data analysis, we employed phenomenological analysis, a qualitative method. Results: Participants recognized the importance of the discharge support program and anticipated its benefits. The Rehabilitation Hospital Discharge Patient Support program saw more active involvement from doctors than the Establishment of a Public Health-Medical Collaboration System program. Both programs highlighted the critical need for more staff and better compensation, as identified by the doctors. Nurses and social workers cited the heavy documentation burden, uncooperative attitudes from patients and local governments, and other issues. They also anticipated that program improvements could be achieved through the standardization of regional welfare services and better coordination by local governments serving as welfare service regulators. All groups—doctors, nurses, and social workers—underscored the significance of promoting these programs. Conclusions Discharge support programs are crucial for patients with functional impairments and severe illnesses, particularly in ensuring continuity of care. Policy support is essential for the successful implementation of these programs in Korea.

Objectives: Transitional periods, such as patient discharge, are notably challenging. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of providers involved in hospital discharge support programs, identify the primary obstacles, and propose strategies for improvement. Methods: In this qualitative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 49 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and social workers, who participated in two pilot programs. We organized focus group interviews with 3-6 participants per group, segmented by the type of discharge support program and profession. For data analysis, we employed phenomenological analysis, a qualitative method. Results: Participants recognized the importance of the discharge support program and anticipated its benefits. The Rehabilitation Hospital Discharge Patient Support program saw more active involvement from doctors than the Establishment of a Public Health-Medical Collaboration System program. Both programs highlighted the critical need for more staff and better compensation, as identified by the doctors. Nurses and social workers cited the heavy documentation burden, uncooperative attitudes from patients and local governments, and other issues. They also anticipated that program improvements could be achieved through the standardization of regional welfare services and better coordination by local governments serving as welfare service regulators. All groups—doctors, nurses, and social workers—underscored the significance of promoting these programs. Conclusions Discharge support programs are crucial for patients with functional impairments and severe illnesses, particularly in ensuring continuity of care. Policy support is essential for the successful implementation of these programs in Korea.

Objectives: Transitional periods, such as patient discharge, are notably challenging. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of providers involved in hospital discharge support programs, identify the primary obstacles, and propose strategies for improvement. Methods: In this qualitative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 49 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and social workers, who participated in two pilot programs. We organized focus group interviews with 3-6 participants per group, segmented by the type of discharge support program and profession. For data analysis, we employed phenomenological analysis, a qualitative method. Results: Participants recognized the importance of the discharge support program and anticipated its benefits. The Rehabilitation Hospital Discharge Patient Support program saw more active involvement from doctors than the Establishment of a Public Health-Medical Collaboration System program. Both programs highlighted the critical need for more staff and better compensation, as identified by the doctors. Nurses and social workers cited the heavy documentation burden, uncooperative attitudes from patients and local governments, and other issues. They also anticipated that program improvements could be achieved through the standardization of regional welfare services and better coordination by local governments serving as welfare service regulators. All groups—doctors, nurses, and social workers—underscored the significance of promoting these programs. Conclusions Discharge support programs are crucial for patients with functional impairments and severe illnesses, particularly in ensuring continuity of care. Policy support is essential for the successful implementation of these programs in Korea.

Background: To overcome the limitations of relying on data from a single institution, many researchers have studied data linkage methodologies. Data linkage includes errors owing to legal issues surrounding personal information and technical issues related to data processing. Linkage errors affect selection bias, and external and internal validity. Therefore, quality verification for each connection method with adherence to personal information protection is an important issue. This study evaluated the linkage quality of linked data and analyzed the potential bias resulting from linkage errors. Methods: This study analyzed claims data submitted to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA DATA). The linkage errors of the two deterministic linkage methods were evaluated based on the use of the match key. The first deterministic linkage uses a unique identification number, and the second deterministic linkage uses the name, gender, and date of birth as a set of partial identifiers. The linkage error included in this deterministic linkage method was compared with the absolute standardized difference (ASD) of Cohen’s according to the baseline characteristics, and the linkage quality was evaluated through the following indicators: linked rate, false match rate, missed match rate, positive predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-score. Results: For the deterministic linkage method that used the name, gender, and date of birth as a set of partial identifiers, the true match rate was 83.5 and the missed match rate was 16.5.Although there was bias in some characteristics of the data, most of the ASD values were less than 0.1, with no case greater than 0.5. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether linked data constructed with deterministic linkages have substantial differences. Conclusion This study confirms the possibility of building health and medical data at the national level as the first data linkage quality verification study using big data from the HIRA. Analyzing the quality of linkages is crucial for comprehending linkage errors and generating reliable analytical outcomes. Linkers should increase the reliability of linked data by providing linkage error-related information to researchers. The results of this study will serve as reference data to increase the reliability of multicenter data linkage studies.

South Korea implemented interventions to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with discovery of the first case in early 2020. Mathematical modeling designed to reflect the dynamics of disease transmission has been shown to be an important tool for responding to COVID-19. This study aimed to review publications on the structure, method, and role of mathematical models focusing on COVID-19 transmission dynamics in Korea. In total, 42 papers published between August 7, 2020 and August 21, 2022 were studied and reviewed. This study highlights the construction and utilization of mathematical models to help craft strategies for predicting the course of an epidemic and evaluating the effectiveness of control strategies. Despite the limitations caused by a lack of available epidemiological and surveillance data, modeling studies could contribute to providing scientific evidence for policymaking by simulating various scenarios.

Natural infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 or vaccination induces virus-specific immunity protecting hosts from infection and severe disease. While the infection-preventing immunity gradually declines, the severity-reducing immunity is relatively well preserved. Here, based on the different longevity of these distinct immunities, we develop a mathematical model to estimate courses of endemic transition of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our analysis demonstrates that high viral transmission unexpectedly reduces the rates of progression to severe COVID-19 during the course of endemic transition despite increased numbers of infection cases. Our study also shows that high viral transmission amongst populations with high vaccination coverages paradoxically accelerates the endemic transition of COVID-19 with reduced numbers of severe cases. These results provide critical insights for driving public health policies in the era of ‘living with COVID-19.’

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the actual status of fundamentals of nursing practice (FNP) education at nursing colleges, and the difficulties of FNP operation in the early stages of the COVID-19. Methods: This study used a descriptive design. Data collection was conducted from December 9, 2020 to January 31, 2021 using the self-report questionnaire method for a total of 95 nursing colleges. The questionnaire consisted of characteristics related to FNP, changes in FNP education, difficulties in operating FNP, and countermeasures in the COVID-19 situation. Results: Changes in FNP due to COVID-19 were distribution of practice places, reduction of the number of students, short-term intensive classes, and reduction of face-to-face practice. Most colleges conducted FNP face-to-face, but some schools showed that FNP was conducted non-face-to-face. The difficulties of operating FNP that instructors experienced induced concerns about a decrease in student competency due to lack of face-to-face practice and an unofficial increase in the number of teaching hours and physical demands on instructors due to the expansion of the division. Conclusion In order to develop the capabilities of nursing students in other pandemic situations in the future, it is necessary to find systematic coping strategy to reduce the burden of FNP instructors, and to develop non-face-to-face online practice contents and consumables for online practice.