An ethical issue: nurses' conscientious objection regarding induced abortion in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: The Constitutional Court of South Korea declared that an abortion ban was unconstitutional on April 11, 2019. The National Health Care System will provide abortion care across the country as a formal medical service. Conscientious objection is an issue raised during the construction of legal reforms. METHODS: One hundred sixty-seven perioperative nurses responded to the survey questionnaire. Nurses' perception about conscientious objection, support of legislation regarding conscientious objection, and intention to object were measured. Logistic regression was used to explore the factors associated with support of the legislation and the intention to conscientiously object. RESULTS: Only 28.8% of the responding nurses were aware of health care professionals' conscientious objection. The majority (68.7%) felt that patients' rights should be prioritized over health care professionals' conscientious objection. On the other hand, 45.8% supported the legislation on conscientious objection to abortion, and 42.5% indicated a willingness to refuse to participate in an abortion case if conscientious objection was permitted. Religion, awareness of conscientious objection, and prioritizing of nurses' right to conscientious objection were significantly associated with supporting the legislation. Moreover, religion and prioritizing nurses' rights were significantly associated with the intention to conscientiously object. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information necessary for further discussion of nurses' conscientious objection. Nursing leaders, researchers, and educators should appeal to nurses and involve them in making policies that balance a women's right to non-discrimination and to receiving appropriate care with nurses' rights to maintain their moral integrity without compromising their professional obligation.

Willingness to pay for family education and counselling services provided by critical care advanced practice nurses.

AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the economic value of a family education and counselling service provided by critical care advanced practice nurses in South Korea utilizing a contingent valuation approach. METHODS: A double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method was utilized to estimate the public's willingness to pay value for an education and counselling service provided by critical care advanced practice nurses. A web-based self-administered survey was conducted. RESULTS: Median willingness to pay was 43 112 Korean won (35 US dollars). Higher income and younger age were associated with higher willingness to pay. CONCLUSION: This study captured the economic value of an education and counselling service provided by critical care advanced practice nurses that is not on the benefit list under the fee-for-service system of the Korean National Health System. Policy makers should consider including such services in the health care system.

Effects of Intergenerational Social Support Exchange and Self-efficacy on Level of Depression among Elderly Women.

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of intergenerational social support exchange (providing social support, receiving social support) and self-efficacy on the level of depression among elderly women. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. The participants were 247 elderly women, over 60, living in Seoul. Data were collected by convenience sampling using self-reported questionnaires that consisted of items on general characteristics, depression, intergenerational social support exchange and self-efficacy. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression. RESULTS: Self-efficacy had the greatest impact on the level of depression among elderly women, followed by perceived health status and providing social support toward adult children. The model explained 39% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest that as a way to prevent depression, the health administration needs to develop programs to enhance self-efficacy and to promote the supportive role of elderly women within the family.

Predictors of Intention to Report Elder Abuse among Elderly Women.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to identify the predictors of elderly women's intention to report elder abuse. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. The participants were 204 elderly women aged over 60 living in Seoul. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires by convenience sampling. Data were analyzed with frequencies, chi-square test, t-test and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses showed perception of elderly welfare law, perception of seriousness of elder abuse, subjective economic status, and exposure to elder abuse information were significant predictors of elderly women's intention to report elder abuse. CONCLUSION: The results of study suggest that the provision of information related to elder abuse including elderly welfare law is crucial toward elderly women in preventing elder abuse.