Changes in how ICU nurses perceive the DNR decision and their nursing activity after implementing it.

This study investigated the perceptions and attitudes of ICU nurses towards the 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) decision and changes in their nursing activities after implementation of the DNR decision in South Korea. A data survey was conducted in South Korea between August and October 2008, with a convenience sample of 252 ICU nurses who had more than one year of clinical experience. The data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Most of the nurses perceived the necessity of the DNR decision in cases where there would be no chance of patient recovery despite massive efforts. Very few of the nurses' activities changed, either passively or actively, after implementation of the DNR decision. Moreover, the findings of this research provide suggestions for the future direction of the DNR decision and ethical nursing guidelines in South Korea. Further investigations are needed for the development of decision-making skills and intervention guidelines for end-of-life nursing.

Depression, symptoms and the quality of life in patients on hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a progressive, debilitating, chronic illness requiring nursing and medical interventions. The goal of this study was to explore the level of depression experienced by patients receiving hemodialysis (n = 146), and to compare the symptoms with the quality of life (QoL) between patients that were depressed and those that were not depressed. METHODS: For this descriptive, cross-sectional survey, participants aged 18 and above were recruited from three different regions in the Republic of Korea. The level of depression, symptoms and QoL of the participants were measured by questionnaires from October to December 2006. The data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, the chi(2) and t test using the SPSS WIN 14.0 program. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9) among the participants was 25.34%. There were more symptoms reported in the depressed group of patients than in those that were not depressed. In addition, the QoL was not as good in the depressed group when compared to patients that were not depressed. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the evaluation for depression may be an important part of the management of patients with ESRD. Further research is needed to understand the causal relationship between depression and health outcomes.

Predictors of mammography uptake in Korean women aged 40 years and over.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study performed to identify the predictors of mammography uptake for Korean women according to the stage of change, as determined by the transtheoretical model. BACKGROUND: Although breast cancer is the most common female cancer in South Korea, its early detection rate here is low when compared with other developed countries. The transtheoretical model can be used to facilitate health promotion based on individual health behaviour and to devise stage-tailored interventions. METHOD: The participants were a convenience sample of 920 women aged > or =40 years between December 2005 and February 2006. A cross-sectional design was used in which participants completed a questionnaire that consisted of measures of the transtheoretical model. To provide a standard of measure, the variables were converted from raw scores to standard scores and then to T scores (mean = 50, sd = 10). Logistic regression analysis was then used to estimate predictors of the stage of maintenance of mammography uptake. FINDINGS: The most frequent stage of mammography uptake was 'contemplation'. Predictors of mammography uptake included decisional balance, commitment to regular screening and avoiding contact with the healthcare system. Commitment to regular screening and breast self-examination were strongly related to mammography maintenance. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used for the development of theory-based and empirically supported mammography uptake intervention strategies and programmes directed towards women aged > or =40 years.

[Process of seeking positive life of patients with Parkinson's disease].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to help understand the life and illness-experiences of focusing on a positive lifestyle, patients with Parkinson's disease, METHOD: The present study adopted a ethno graphic methodology. The participants for this study were 4 men and 3 women, who were treated for Parkinson's disease. Data was collected by an interview and participant observations from August 2003 to September 2004. Tape-recorded interviews were transcribed after the interview and classified and described to realistic tale. RESULT: Patients with Parkinson's disease experienced the stage of retake-off pursuing positive life by overcoming the acceptance process of illness including the stage of recognition of change, the stage of disruption and the stage of acceptance. The factors of positive life of Patients with Parkinson's disease were their strong will and social support. CONCLUSION: This study may be used in future studies as an important resource to develop nursing intervention strategies and programs for patients with Parkinson's disease that can help the patients to achieve strong willingness and positive life in Korea.