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Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of uncoated paper on skin moisture, pressure injury risk and pressure injury incidence in neurological intensive care unit patients. Methods: A randomized controlled design was used. The experimental group (n = 68) received usual care (repositioning every 2 h and use of an air mattress) and application of uncoated paper on the sacral area for 5 days, whereas the control group (n = 67) received only usual care. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine changes in the skin moisture and risk of pressure injury between the groups. A chi‐squared test was used to determine the change in the incidence of pressure injuries for sacral area. Data were collected from 20 October 2017 to 6 March 2018. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the skin moisture and risk of pressure injuries between the experimental and control groups. However, a significant difference was not observed in the incidence of pressure injuries between the groups. Conclusion: The use of uncoated paper may be a valid nursing intervention for the prevention of pressure injuries in neurological intensive care unit patients. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The neurological intensive care unit patients with motor deficits, loss or deterioration of sensory function and decreased consciousness have high risk of pressure injuries.Although various guidelines consider excessive skin moisture as an important cause of pressure injuries, few targeted interventions exist to manage excessive skin moisture. What this paper adds? The uncoated paper application was effective in reducing skin moisture in neurologic intensive care unit patients.In addition, application of uncoated paper application has an effect on risk of pressure injury in neurologic intensive care unit patients. The implications of this paper: The use of uncoated paper may be a valid nursing intervention for the prevention of pressure injuries in neurological intensive care unit patients.Nurses should recognize that pressure injuries are potentially preventable adverse events and use various preventive interventions including skin moisture management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current advances in technology have enabled the development of a computer-based questionnaire that provides advantages over the paper-based mode of administration, such as automatic data entry, storage and calculations. However, before implementing a computer-based questionnaire, its equivalence with the original paper-based questionnaire must first be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the measurement equivalence of the computerized Diabetes- Specific Quality-of- Life questionnaire ( cD- QOL) with its original paper-based counterpart. A two-period crossover design was used in this study. The measurement equivalence was evaluated using quadratic weighted kappa coefficients, intraclass correlations and Cronbach's alpha comparisons. The cD- QOL was equivalent to its original paper-based counterpart. Participants preferred the cD- QOL over the paper-based questionnaire and reported that it was easy to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify occupational conditions associated with anxiety and fatigue among Korean nurses in early pregnancy. Background: Pregnant nurses, like non‐pregnant hospital nurses, are exposed to dangerous and stressful work environments, which can affect fatigue and anxiety. Design and Methods: This cross‐sectional study enrolled 1490 nurses who participated in the early pregnancy module in the Korea Nurses' Health Study between 2014 and 2020. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were employed to identify the factors associated with anxiety and fatigue among nurses in early pregnancy. Results: One‐fifth of participants were working night shifts, and more than two‐thirds were working overtime. When using antineoplastic drugs and disinfectants, the rate of use of protective equipment varied depending on the size of the hospital. Working overtime and lifting heavy objects were associated with increased anxiety and fatigue among nurses. Conclusion: Overtime work was associated with both anxiety and fatigue among pregnant nurses. Pregnant hospital nurses were exposed to both night shift and overtime work. Therefore, hospital managers should improve hazardous working environments to protect the health of nurses in early pregnancy and their fetuses. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Nurses in early pregnancy are exposed to work environments that can affect their reproductive health.The relationship between mental health and work environment among nurses in early pregnancy is poorly understood. What this paper adds? Despite legal guidelines, some pregnant nurses performed potentially harmful work such as night shifts, overtime and heavy lifting.There were differences in the occupational risks to which the study participants were exposed depending on hospital size.Overtime and heavy lifting were related to anxiety and fatigue in study participants. The implications of this paper: To protect nurses in early pregnancy, an appropriate maternal safety programme should be developed for hospital work environments.Education programmes should be implemented for nurses in early pregnancy on safety guidelines such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).Physically difficult tasks can increase fatigue and anxiety among nurses in early pregnancy, so legal and institutional regulations focusing on safe working environments should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to examine the relationship between heart failure knowledge, self‐efficacy, social support, grit and self‐care behaviour in patients with heart failure and to identify factors associated with patients' self‐care behaviour. Background: Most patients with heart failure are not as active in implementing self‐care behavioural practices as recommended by the guidelines. Design: This descriptive cross‐sectional study was designed based on Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. Methods: This study included 138 patients who were diagnosed with heart failure in an outpatient department of cardiology at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Data were collected between July and October 2020 using a structured questionnaire and electronic medical records. Data were analysed using the SPSS/WIN 27.0 program. Results: Grit had the strongest association with self‐care behaviour among patients with heart failure, followed by social support, self‐efficacy and heart failure knowledge. These variables accounted for approximately 52% of the variance in self‐care behaviour. Conclusions: Health‐care professionals should assess patients' grit and develop patient‐tailored grit enhancement programmes. Based on the social cognitive theory, nursing intervention programmes that can simultaneously manage cognitive (knowledge and self‐efficacy), social and environmental (social support) and behavioural support (grit) factors should be developed and applied to nursing practices to promote self‐care. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Most patients with heart failure are not as active in implementing self‐care behavioural practices as recommended by the guidelines.Social cognitive theory is conceptualized as cognitive, social, environmental and behavioural in nature.Self‐care behaviour can be influenced by multi‐dimensional factors, including cognitive factors, such as knowledge and self‐efficacy, and social and environmental factors, such as social support. What this paper adds? Grit—a behavioural supporting element—was confirmed as a factor influencing the self‐care behaviour of patients with heart failure. The implications of this paper: Interventions for enhancing patients' grit should be developed; self‐efficacy, social support and heart failure knowledge for patients with heart failure should be considered in clinical nursing settings.Health‐care professionals should assess patients' grit and develop patient‐tailored grit enhancement programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The study aimed to develop and evaluate the effects of a self‐determination theory‐based, nurse‐led, physical activity programme for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Between December 2019 and April 2020, this randomized controlled trial recruited 62 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis from a university‐affiliated hospital in South Korea. The intervention group participated in a self‐determination theory‐based, nurse‐led, physical activity programme that consisted of Tai Chi‐based physical activity, a supportive psychosocial strategy, and interactive counselling for 16 weeks, and the control group continued to undergo their usual care. Results: There were statistically significant group‐by‐time interactions in physical activity and perceived sarcopenia, which favoured the intervention group. Additionally, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the perceived therapeutic efficacy of physical activity, grip strength, walking speed, disease activity score, and health‐related quality of life. Conclusions: The programme developed in this study can be an effective and feasible approach for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis in improving physical activity, selected osteosarcopenic outcomes, and health‐related quality of life. Further research is required to investigate the long‐term effects of this theory‐based programme for postmenopausal women in diverse settings. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Tai Chi‐based physical activity has been known to be a component of self‐management for rheumatoid arthritis. What this paper adds? It highlights the efficacy of a theory‐based, nurse‐led, physical activity programme to improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.The evidenced‐based programme could be transferred to postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical settings. The implications of this paper: The self‐determination theory‐based, nurse‐led, physical activity programme can improve physical and psychosocial outcomes in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.Importantly, this nurse‐led and theory‐based programme is expected to be applicable to postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical settings, including both hospitals and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable new intensive care unit nursing classification tool, including direct and indirect nursing activities, by measuring the nursing intensity provided to patients. Background: Prior tools primarily examine patients' medical records or disease severity/interactions, systematically failing to reflect comorbidity risk factors. Design: The Delphi technique was used to test the content validity of the Korean Patient Classification System on Nursing Intensity for Critical Care Nurses (KPCSNIC). Methods: Data were collected from four hospitals in two provinces from 26 December 2017 to 30 January 2018. To verify construct validity, staff nurses classified 365 patients, comparing differences by medical department and type of stay. To verify interrater reliability, data collectors and the head nurses of three intensive care units classified 87 patients. Results: The KPCSNIC had 8 categories, 44 nursing activities and 105 criteria. Reliability was high (r =.84). Construct validity was verified by revealing differences according to medical department and type of patient. Using total scores, four KPCSNIC groups were identified. Conclusion: The KPCSNIC developed in this study can support staffing for nursing intensity by providing more specific evaluation criteria. Moreover, it reflects nursing intensity, including direct and indirect nursing activities. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? In order to secure the quality of nursing care, it is important to allocate an appropriate number of nurse staffing based on nursing demand and nursing time reflecting to the number and severity of patients, and shift of work.The patient acuity tools used in Korea are limited as they primarily examine patients' physiological characteristics based on medical records or quantify disease severity and interactions, systematically failing to reflect risk factors for comorbidities.The intensive care unit patient classification tool that is currently used underestimates clinical nursing intensity, as it does not realistically evaluate patient‐related disease factors and indirect nursing activities. What this paper adds? This study developed a new patient classification tool that reflects patients' clinical characteristics and classified them according to nursing intensity.In addition to direct nursing activities, indirect nursing activities that were invisible and difficult to measure can be scored using this tool. The implications of this paper: Since this tool enables quantitative measurement of nursing workload, data using this tool can be used as evidence for invoicing for nursing care fees, previously calculated as a percentage of inpatient fees per day.This study was conducted in a first‐grade hospital with a high level of nurse staffing. To secure the validity and reliability of the tool, additional research is needed, using the tool in a greater number and wider range of hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This work aimed to classify the elderly according to fall risk factors and to identify the characteristics of the latent classes. Background: Falls mainly occur due to combinations of various risk factors, and each older adult has a different combination of risk factors. Design: This was a secondary data analysis using data from the 2017 National Survey of Older Persons conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. Methods: Latent class analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed using data from 1556 older adults who experienced at least one fall during 1 year (1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016). Indicator variables included eight fall risk factors. Results: A 3‐class solution was selected according to acceptable goodness of fit. The 'healthy falls risk class' included over half of the cohort, and the comprised older adults did not show typical health problems. The 'complex falls risk class' included older people with physical and mental problems, and the 'musculoskeletal falls risk class' included older people with osteoarthritis and back pain. Conclusion: The results identified combinations of fall risk factors and characteristics among community‐dwelling older adults that may contribute to the planning of effective fall prevention programmes. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Previous studies have analysed the impact of individual risk factors for falls. What this paper adds? This study classifies elderly persons having similar fall risk factors and identifies the characteristics of each class as 'healthy falls risk class', 'complex falls risk class', or 'musculoskeletal disease falls risk class'. The implications of this paper: The 'healthy falls risk class' included over half of the present study cohort indicating that fall prevention programmes are needed, even for relatively healthy older adults.Older women were more likely to be in the 'musculoskeletal disease falls risk class', possibly due to the higher prevalence rates of osteoarthritis, and lower back or sciatic pain among older women. For this class, early diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases will be important for fall prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among patient safety competency, systems thinking and missed nursing care. Background: Patient safety competency and systems thinking are important nurse attributes that promote patient safety. Missed nursing care is known to negatively impact patient safety. However, how nurses' patient safety competency and systems thinking relate to missed nursing care is unknown. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey design was used to collect data from nurses practicing in two general hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected between 3 March and 17 April 2020. Questionnaires were distributed to nurses providing direct care in general and specialty units. Patient safety competency, systems thinking and missed nursing care were measured using reliable and valid instruments. A total of 432 complete sets of data were used in final analysis. Results: Higher patient safety competency of nurses was associated with lower missed nursing care. Systems thinking partially mediated the relationship between knowledge of patient safety competency and missed nursing care, and attitudes of patient safety competency and missed nursing care. Conclusions: The knowledge, skills and attitudes sub‐scales of patient safety competency showed somewhat different effects in the relationship between missed nursing care and systems thinking, suggesting that each attribute may tap into a separate aspect of patient safety. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Patient safety can be threatened when nurses are not competent to provide safe care to patients.Systems thinking is an essential nurse attribute that enhances patient safety competency.Greater missed nursing care has been associated with negative patient outcomes including adverse events such as medication error, fall with injury and patient mortality. What this paper adds? Higher patient safety competency of nurses was associated with less missed nursing care.Nurses' systems thinking had a mediating effect on the relationship between the patient safety knowledge and attitude competencies and missing nursing care.Nurses' systems thinking had the effect of reducing missed nursing care, but only when nurses exhibited patient safety knowledge and attitude competencies. The implications of this paper: By enhancing patient safety competency, missed nursing care can be reduced and negative patient outcomes may decrease accordingly.Strategies to increase systems thinking should be applied as a way to reduce missed care and increase patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the proliferation of the internet and the development of internet‐based healthcare interventions, eHealth is expected to be an effective complement to traditional healthcare services. However, without understanding the characteristics of the user population, eHealth itself can isolate older adults. Aim: This study aims to identify the characteristics of internet use and the factors associated with eHealth use among older adults. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted from a cross‐sectional descriptive study. A convenience sample of 186 community dwelling older adults was recruited at two senior welfare centres in Korea. The data collected included demographic characteristics, health related characteristics, internet use, eHealth use and eHealth literacy. Multiple linear regression was utilized to determine factors related to eHealth use. Results: Among 186 respondents, 98 reported that they used the internet. Internet usage was associated with educational attainment, marital status, cognitive function and possession of internet‐enabled devices. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that greater eHealth usage was related to more positive perception of eHealth usability and better eHealth literacy among older adults. Conclusion: Educational programmes for older adults should be developed to facilitate digital capability and eHealth literacy. Useful and effective online health resources that are easy to use should be also developed. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? With an ageing society, health promotion and management of chronic diseases are becoming increasingly important; thus, the social burden of healthcare is expected to increase.eHealth can help individuals manage chronic disease effectively and promote changing behaviours for better health, but older adults may not be able to use the internet and eHealth. What this paper adds? This paper identified the factors related to internet use in adults aged 65 and over: higher educational level, married/partnered marital status, better cognitive function and possession of internet‐enabled devices.This paper identified factors facilitating eHealth use: older adults who perceived eHealth as more useful and had better eHealth literacy used eHealth more frequently. The implications of this paper: Education for older adults to enhance their skills to use internet‐enabled devices and increase their capability to interpret health‐related information can facilitate eHealth accessibility and enable them to take advantage of the benefits of health technologies.Useful online health resources that are evidence‐based and easy‐to‐use can encourage older adults to use eHealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of foot conditions, the risk of foot ulceration and its associated factors in patients with diabetes. Few studies have focused on the risk of foot ulceration in patients with diabetes. Methods: A total of 267 patients with diabetes who attended outpatient clinics in two tertiary referral hospitals were recruited from June to September 2016. The risk of foot ulceration was classified using the American Diabetes Association (ADA), International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) classification systems. The risk categories of each system were reclassified into high‐ (categories of 2 and 3 for the ADA and IWGDF systems and high for the SIGN system) and low‐risk. Results: Foot deformity was the most prevalent condition (38.2%). Among 261 patients without active ulcers, between 17.6% to 35.2% were classified in the high‐risk group and overall agreement among systems ranged from.42 to.56 of the kappa statistic. Insulin treatment was consistently associated with a high‐risk of foot ulceration. Conclusions: As the risk varies between systems, nurses should select a suitable classification system through validation studies and assess the risk in patients with diabetes, particularly, those receiving insulin treatment. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Foot ulceration is a major complication of diabetes and may cause serious health issues, adversely affecting the patient's quality of life.Although risk assessment of foot ulceration in patients with diabetes is regarded as a critical preventive measure, implementation of diabetic foot examinations by health‐care providers varies among countries.Only 6.1% of patients with diabetes have received a foot examination in the last 2 years in South Korea, and there are few studies on the distribution of risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration. What this paper adds? Among participants, 73.4% had at least one foot condition and between 17.6% to 35.2% of patients were classified in the high‐risk group, depending on the system.Overall agreement among systems ranged from.42 to.56 of the kappa statistic.Participants with diabetes on insulin treatment were found to be at a higher risk of foot ulceration. The implications of this paper: As the risk of foot ulceration varies between international systems, nurses need to select the most suitable one through validation studies.Although the prevalence of active foot ulcers is very low, two to four of every 10 patients with type 2 diabetes attending outpatient clinics in tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea are at high‐risk for foot ulceration. Therefore, nurses should regularly assess the risk of foot ulceration, particularly in high‐risk patients, such as those receiving insulin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: If not conducted correctly, nursing handover can threaten patient safety, and so nursing students require good handover education. This study evaluated a handover education programme based on situated learning theory in a clinical practicum. Methods: A quasi‐experimental design and convenience sampling technique were used. The participants (fourth‐grade nursing students recruited from a college in the C province of South Korea) were assigned to an intervention group (n = 38) or a control group (n = 39). A handover education programme that included lectures, expert observations, role playing, peer learning and reflection was received by the intervention group. The control group attended lectures and observed handovers. The handover skills of all participants were tested 2 weeks before and on the last day of the clinical practicum. Handover performance ability, handover clinical judgement ability and handover self‐efficacy were outcome variables. Results: Significant improvements in handover performance ability, handover clinical judgement ability and handover self‐efficacy were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The significance of this study lies in the development and application of a programme based on situated learning theory for handover education. Application of theory‐based handover education in clinical practicums is recommended to improve the handover capabilities of nursing students. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Nursing handover is considered very important for optimizing nursing performance and securing the continuity and safety of patient care.Nurse educators must develop and validate educational strategies to resolve handover deficiencies among nursing students. What this paper adds? The self‐evaluation of handover performance ability, handover clinical judgement ability and handover self‐efficacy were better in nursing students who received handover education based on situated learning theory than in the control group. The implications of this paper: Theory‐based handover education applied in a clinical practicum context can allow nursing students to improve relevant capabilities prior to graduating as a clinical nurse.Situated learning theory provides a theoretical basis upon which to support practical handover learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study purpose was to investigate effects of a cognitive rehabilitation programme on cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Background: Cognitive impairment is frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, and it interferes with many aspects of self‐management, which is fundamental to disease management and quality of life. Design The design is quasi‐experimental. Methods: Data collection was performed between June 2018 and March 2019. Study participants were 60 in‐ or out‐patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The cognitive rehabilitation programme involved six 30‐min sessions administered over a period of 2 weeks and consisted of six areas: attention, memory, language, visuospatial perception, executive function and problem solving. Cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were measured at three times (preintervention and immediately and 4 weeks after intervention). Results: Cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were found to be significantly improved over time after administration of the cognitive rehabilitation programme. However, no significant improvement was observed in the control group. Conclusions: Our findings support the potential usefulness of cognitive intervention to promote cognitive function, self‐management ability and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Cognitive impairment interferes with many aspects of self‐management, such as monitoring symptoms, adherence to medication regimens and the maintenance of healthy lifestyles, which are fundamental to the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Despite the importance of cognitive functions, few studies have been attempted to the investigate effects of cognitive rehabilitation programmes in COPD patients. What this paper adds? Cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were significantly improved over time after administration of the cognitive rehabilitation programme. The implications of this paper: Our findings support the importance of cognitive rehabilitation intervention for improving cognitive function, self‐management ability and quality of life in COPD patients.The present study also provides a resource for an effective cognitive rehabilitation programme that can be used by nurses or other clinical practitioners to improve cognitive function in COPD patients with cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study examined the effect of an individualized educational intervention on the knowledge, attitudes and self‐management ability after 12 weeks for outpatients with atrial fibrillation. Methods: A randomized control‐group pretest‐post‐test experimental design was used. Elderly outpatients with atrial fibrillation aged over 65 years were recruited from a university hospital in Korea. The experimental group received a 50‐min individualized education on self‐management, one telephone counselling after 8 weeks and maintenance of a self‐management diary for 12 weeks. Data were collected from November 2017 to April 2018 and analysed using SPSS 22.0 for descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing. Results: The participants' mean age was 71.9 (4.6) years. Compared to the control group (n = 29), the experimental group (n = 31) showed a significantly greater improvement in knowledge regarding atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention (t = −2.27, p =.027) and self‐management behaviours (t = −8.02, p <.001). There were no significant group differences in attitudes towards atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: The findings suggest that education for elderly people with atrial fibrillation should be individualized, focusing on self‐management in daily life to prevent cardiovascular complications. Future research is needed to confirm the long‐term effects of such education programmes. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Older adults with AF tend to lack the knowledge and have inadequate self‐management skills regarding their illness. Their awareness of AF should be raised, especially regarding cardiovascular complications, such as stroke and heart failure, and prevention of complications.Patients with AF, mostly older people and those with comorbid conditions, need to be educated on the different approaches apart from the usual education to prevent developing strokes. What this paper adds? Individualized education focused on self‐management to prevent cardiovascular complications was more effective in increasing the knowledge and self‐management behaviour among Korean older adults with AF compared with those patients receiving routine medical education.Education for patients with AF should be tailored to meet the needs of older adults and those with comorbidities and focus on self‐management to prevent cardiovascular complications in daily life. The implications of this paper: Individualized education and telephone counselling can help improve knowledge of complications and self‐management among elderly people with AF.Health care professionals need to provide periodical counselling and education to elderly people with AF to enhance their self‐management behaviour in daily life to prevent cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate potential factors that influence nursing performance in South Korean intensive care units (ICUs). Background: As nursing performance is directly related to patient outcomes in the ICU setting, identifying factors related to nursing performance at various levels could contribute to improving those outcomes. Method: A cross‐sectional descriptive design was employed with a convenience sample of 177 nurses having worked at least 6 months in an ICU. Data were collected from 2 to 16 March 2018. Results: Workplace incivility from supervisors and patients and their families was negatively related to nursing performance, whereas a relation‐oriented culture and task‐oriented culture were positively related to nursing performance. The factors that predicted nursing performance were nurse age and a task‐oriented culture. Conclusion: Based on study findings, hospitals should focus on mitigating workplace incivility to help improve the nursing performance. Also, hospitals should develop strategies to assess organizational culture and foster relation‐ and task‐oriented culture to maximize nursing performance. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Nursing performance is an important predictor of patient outcomes in intensive care units.Although multiple factors affect nursing performance, previous studies have addressed those factors only individually or in pairs. What this paper adds? This article assesses multiple factors that influence nursing performance in the intensive care unit setting, including interactional, organizational and societal factors. Among those factors, workplace incivility of supervisors and of patients and their families was negatively correlated with nursing performance.Organizational factors such as relation‐oriented and task‐oriented culture were positively correlated with nursing performance.Greater nurse age and working in a task‐oriented culture predicted greater nursing performance. The implications of this paper: Nursing managers should foster a task‐oriented culture for intensive care unit nurses to enhance their practice performance and thus improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to identify the nursing stress factors, which affect turnover intention in hospital nurses. Background: Nursing stress is known to be an important predictor of turnover intention in nurses. Although nurses experience various sources of stress across work environments, cultures, and generations, little is known about the stress factors affecting turnover intention in nurses. Design A descriptive cross‐sectional design was employed. Methods: A total of 329 nurses were recruited through convenience sampling from 27 hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected from May to November 2018 using a questionnaire. Results: Among the stress factors, stress from patients and their families, workload stress, stress from conflicts with supervisors, and stress from conflicts with peers were associated with turnover intention in hospital nurses. These variables explained 40.0% of the variance in turnover intention among hospital nurses. Conclusions: Stress from interpersonal relationships with patients and their families, supervisors, and peers may have a considerable impact on turnover intention. To reduce nursing turnover intention, coping strategies to reduce stress from patients and their families should be established. It is necessary to provide programmes that foster interpersonal relationship skills in the workplace. Nurse managers may encourage communication among nurses to establish positive relationships. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about the topic? Nurses' turnover continues to remain a challenging issue across work environments, cultures, and generations.Nursing stress has a great impact on turnover intention in hospital nurses. However, little is known about the stress factors that affect turnover intention in nurses. What this paper adds? Among the nursing stress factors, stress from patients and families had a strong effect on turnover intention in hospital nurses, followed by stress from workload, conflicts with supervisors, and conflicts with peers. The implications of this paper: Our findings suggest that stress from interpersonal relationships might have a considerable impact on turnover intention.Coping strategies to reduce stress from patients and family need to be first established to reduce the turnover intention in hospital nurses.Nurse managers should be aware of the effects of interpersonal relationships on turnover intention and encourage communication among nurses to establish positive relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to explore the role of clinical research coordinators (CRCs) and identify the importance and performance of the role as well as the factors that affect the professional recognition of their role. Methods: A total of 102 CRCs from 10 hospitals were recruited for a survey. The Clinical Trial Nursing Questionnaire scale developed by Ehrenberger and Lillington was used to collect data for the importance–performance analysis. The importance and performance data were plotted on a two‐dimensional grid, and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors on the CRC role. Results: The influencing factors on the importance of the CRC role were frequency of protocol assessment, implementation and evaluation and professional nursing role performance. The influencing factors on performance were formal education and training in clinical research, institutional career ladder system for professional development and identification as a principal investigator in research studies. The influencing factor on the professional nursing role perception was the lower component of the 'performance of professional nursing role'. Conclusion: Formal educational preparation, identification as a principal investigator in research studies and clear career progression are supportive factors to the professional recognition of CRC as a specialized nursing role. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Clinical trials ultimately contribute to improving public health.A clinical trial process should cover a number of tasks, such as provision of study information to patients, recruitment of patients, screening and obtainment of their consent.Clinical trial nurses affect the quality of clinical trials, but little is described about the scope and contribution of their roles in clinical trials. What is already known about this topic? This study explored the role of clinical research coordinators (CRCs) and their professional role recognition in the wake of policy changes in South Korea since 2015.Formal education, role delineation and career ladder schemes are critical factors to the career advancement of CRCs, as shown in the study results.Identifying the changes and effects of the relevant policy has implications to the South Korean context and beyond, serving as a reference for countries considering setting up CRC roles or establishing an educational system for CRCs. The implications of this paper: Formal education, role delineation and career ladder schemes are critical factors to the career advancement of CRCs.To improve the performance and professional awareness of CRCs, a government‐led system and policies on formal education and career ladder are needed so that CRCs can fulfil their role in improving public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An association between health literacy and health outcomes has been widely reported in the literature. However, models exploring the links between health literacy and the outcomes of health literacy need further testing. The purpose of this study was to examine the pathways of health literacy on diabetes self‐care activities amongst patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey using secondary data analysis was conducted on 155 patients with Type 2 diabetes recruited from the diabetes clinics of two university hospitals in a metropolitan city in South Korea. Structural equation modelling analysis using bootstrapping was carried out using the AMOS software. Results: Health literacy had no significant direct effect on diabetes self‐care activities. Rather, health literacy had a significant indirect effect on diabetes self‐care activities mediated through diabetes knowledge and patient activation. Conclusion: These findings indicate that interventions intended to improve self‐care activity amongst older adults with low health literacy should include strategies to enhance patients' knowledge, as well as their activation for diabetes self‐care. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Health literacy is known to be a factor influencing self‐management of patients with diabetes.Low level of health literacy is associated with adverse health outcomes of patients with chronic illness.It is important to understand the processes through which health literacy affects health outcomes. What is already known about this topic? Health literacy had a significant direct effect on knowledge and patient activation but not on diabetes self‐care activities.Health literacy had a significant indirect effect on diabetes self‐care activities mediated through diabetes knowledge and patient activation. The implications of this paper: Interventions intended to improve self‐care activities amongst older adults with low health literacy should include strategies to enhance patients' knowledge, as well as their activation for diabetes self‐care.For patients with low health literacy, information processing should be used to facilitate the advancement of their knowledge and the subsequent influence of this knowledge on diabetes self‐care activities.Patient activation should be encouraged by nurses during interactions with patients with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bullying in nursing workplaces has been considered a serious problem that increases nurse turnover. Aim: To develop a cognitive rehearsal intervention for workplace bullying and examine its effects on nurses' bullying experiences and turnover intentions. Methods: We developed a smartphone application to cognitively train nurses to handle bullying situations in the workplace. This application included common bullying situations and appropriate non‐violent communication scenarios. A cluster quasi‐randomized trial was performed with 72 hospital nurses working in a university hospital in South Korea from November 2016 to January 2017. We measured workplace bullying experiences and turnover intention before intervention and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention in both intervention and control groups. Results: The cognitive rehearsal intervention developed in this study was effective for decreasing nurses' person‐related bullying, work‐related bullying experiences, and turnover intention. However, it had no effects on intimidation‐related bullying experiences. Conclusions: The smartphone application‐based cognitive rehearsal intervention can serve as a personal coping measure for person‐related and work‐related bullying among nurses. It is recommended that the intervention developed in this study be applied as a strategy to reduce nurse turnover. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Bullying in the nursing workplace is prevalent and a major cause of turnover.Cognitive rehearsals that reproduce specific situations and train positive coping skills can serve as an intervention for workplace bullying. What does this paper add? Cognitive rehearsal using smartphone applications is effective in lowering workplace bullying and turnover intention.Unit‐based intervention for workplace bullying can be implemented effectively. The implications of this paper: Cognitive rehearsal application can be used as a personal training tool.Workplace bullying scenarios can be applied in simulated nursing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This descriptive, exploratory, correlational analysis investigated patients with type 2 diabetes and their diabetes knowledge, depression, diabetes‐management self‐efficacy, and social support and sought to determine the effects of these factors on psychological insulin resistance among type 2 diabetes patients in South Korea. Methods: This descriptive cross‐sectional study included 136 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited an endocrinology clinic. A structured questionnaire and electronic medical records were used to collect data regarding demographic and disease‐related characteristics as well as scores on the Diabetes Knowledge Tests, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Diabetes Management Self‐efficacy Scale, Social Support Scale, and Psychological Insulin Resistance Scale, between September and December 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t‐tests, a one‐way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The total score for psychological insulin resistance was 60.92 ± 14.75 of a maximum of 90. Stepwise multiple regression showed that diabetes knowledge, diabetes‐management self‐efficacy, social support, absence of diabetes complications, and depression explained 38.6% of the variance in psychological insulin resistance. Conclusion: Diabetes knowledge was found to have the largest influence on psychological insulin resistance, followed by social support, absence of complications, depression, and diabetes‐management self‐efficacy. Development of interventions that consider all these factors is required, and the effects of such interventions should be tested through further research. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Patients with diabetes in Korea have been reported to have relatively high levels of psychological resistance to insulin therapy compared with their counterparts in the West.Previous studies on factors associated with psychological insulin resistance have considered only a limited number of factors and have simply analysed the association between these factors. The full range of disease‐related factors that can affect psychological insulin resistance has not been considered.Research on the psychological insulin resistance of patients with type 2 diabetes, and the factors that affect it, is currently lacking in Korea. What this paper adds? The level of psychological insulin resistance of Korean patients with type 2 diabetes was found to be higher than that of patients from other countries.Diabetes knowledge was found to have the most significant influence on the psychological insulin resistance in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes, followed by social support, absence of diabetes complications, depression, and diabetes‐management self‐efficacy. The implications of this paper: Levels of psychological insulin resistance among patients with type 2 diabetes should be monitored, and nursing education programs should be developed that are tailored to patients' level of psychological insulin resistance.Diabetes knowledge, social support, diabetes complications, depression, and diabetes‐management self‐efficacy should be systematically monitored to reduce the level of psychological insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Development of detailed interventions that consider these factors may be helpful, and their effectiveness should be tested through further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Hypertension is a common condition contributing to many diseases. Factors influencing blood pressure (BP) classification for adults have changed over time. This study aimed to identify factors influencing BP classification according to gender. Methods: Data from the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014) were used in this descriptive, cross‐sectional study. Participants were 1555 adults (589 men, 966 women). Measures included demographic, health‐related, and lifestyle factors. Results: Compared with the male normal BP group, in the male prehypertension group, body mass index, problem drinking, and reduced sleep duration were higher; and in the male hypertension group, age, poor subjective health status, body mass index, diabetes, problem drinking, smoking, and sodium intake were higher. Compared with the female normal BP group, age, and body mass index were higher in the female prehypertension group; and age, poor subjective health status, body mass index, menopause, and diabetes were higher in the female hypertension group. Conclusion: Hypertension and prehypertension prevention interventions for adults should be distinguished according to gender. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension has increased worldwide.Prevention and management strategies for hypertension and prehypertension are provided to clients without regard to gender. What this paper adds? Many lifestyle factors that affect hypertension and prehypertension showed differences according to gender.Drinking, sodium intake, and sleep duration were significant factors along with body mass index and diabetes in male clients.Rather than lifestyle factors, menopause, body mass index, and diabetes were significant factors in female clients. The implications of this paper: In the prevention and management of hypertension, lifestyle factors should be highlighted differently according to gender.Management of male clients should focus on reducing problem drinking, limiting sodium intake, and having enough sleep, together with weight control and diabetes prevention.Weight control, menopause, and diabetes management should be emphasized for female clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and influential factors using flipped learning methods on the education of nursing students in clinical nursing practicums in Korea. Methods: This study used a nonequivalent comparison group pretest‐posttest design to determine the outcomes and influential factors within flipped learning methods in two forms (flipped‐mastery classroom model and flipped‐mastery practicum model) in clinical practicum nursing education. Flipped learning was applied in two groups (using the flipped‐mastery classroom model and the flipped‐mastery practicum model) to 80 nursing students in E university in Gyeonggi‐do. Teacher‐student interactions, self‐directed learning readiness, clinical practicum stress, confidence in performing core skills, and flipped learning were studied to investigate learner motivation and learner satisfaction. Results: Teacher‐student interactions were significantly greater in the flipped‐mastery classroom model group both before and after the intervention. Self‐directed learning readiness decreased in both groups after the intervention but less so in the flipped‐mastery classroom model group. The common factor influencing learner motivation in both the flipped‐mastery classroom model and flipped‐mastery practicum model groups was learner satisfaction, while teacher‐student interactions were also influential in the flipped‐mastery classroom model group. Learner motivation influenced learner satisfaction in both groups, while self‐directed learning readiness and clinical practicum self‐confidence influenced the flipped‐mastery practicum model group. Conclusions: Flipped learning was found to be effective in clinical practicums. Strategies for the efficient application of flipped learning need to be developed and applied. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Interest in flipped learning that emphasizes learner‐led learning over traditional one‐sided teaching and learning is increasing in college education.A new type of clinical practicum education should be introduced to improve the problem‐solving and practical‐application abilities of nursing students.Strategies for organizing and integrating flipped learning into a special clinical practicum environment are needed. What this paper adds? Applying flipped learning to classroom and practicum models increased teacher‐student interactions and decreased self‐directed learning readiness in both groups.Learner satisfaction influenced learner motivation in both groups, while teacher‐student interactions were also an influential factor in the flipped‐mastery classroom model. Learner motivation affected learner satisfaction in both groups, while self‐directed learning readiness and clinical practicum self‐confidence were also influencing factors in the flipped‐mastery practicum model. The implications of this paper: Flipped learning can be applied to clinical practicum education.Applying flipped learning in two models has provided a basis for the development and application of strategies for the effective application in clinical practicums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine the presence of symptom clusters and synergistic effects of symptom clusters on quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Background: Rheumatoid arthritis patients frequently experience multiple concurrent symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression. Design A nonexperimental, cross‐sectional correlation design. Methods: The study participants were 179 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Data were collected between August and December 2016. A hypothetical model was developed based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms Model: physiological antecedents included disease activity and obesity; symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression were hypothesized as being clustered, and quality of life was taken as the outcome variable. Results: Disease activity had significant direct effects on pain, fatigue, and depression and indirect effects on fatigue and depression, whereas obesity had a significant direct effect on fatigue alone. Three symptom clusters, namely, pain fatigue, fatigue depression, and pain‐fatigue depression were identified and found to have significant synergistic effects on quality of life. Conclusions: Our findings support the importance of managing clusters of symptoms simultaneously, that is, collective symptom management. Inter‐cluster dynamics between symptoms should be considered when nurses develop symptom management strategies or self‐management programs to improve the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: What is known about this topic? A symptom cluster is a stable group of different symptoms that co‐occur in association with a specific disease.Rheumatoid arthritis patients frequently experience multiple concurrent symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression. What this paper adds? The most common and distressing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression were found to co‐occur and to be interrelated, which are the two major criteria of symptom clusters.Three symptom clusters, namely, pain fatigue, fatigue depression, and pain‐fatigue depression, were identified and found to have significant synergistic effects on quality of life. The implications of this paper: Our findings support the importance of managing clusters of symptoms simultaneously, that is, collective symptom management.The complicated intercluster dynamics demonstrated between symptoms in the present study should be considered when nurses develop effective symptom management strategies or self‐management intervention programs to improve the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to identify the relationship between nurses' job autonomy, perceptions of organizational policy, and safety performance by identifying the safety performance predictors of nurses working in acute health care settings in South Korea. Methods: Using data from a structured questionnaire, this cross‐sectional descriptive study assessed the relationship between nurses' job autonomy, perceptions of organizational policy, and safety performance. In 2016, of the 290 nurses from nine acute care hospitals in South Korea invited to participate in the survey, 254 successfully did. Using cross‐sectional data, characteristics of hospitals and nurses were analysed with t tests, one‐way analyses of variance, Pearson correlations, and regression models. Results: On a scale of one to five, the mean job autonomy was 3.37, mean perceptions of organizational policy was 3.09, and mean safety performance was 3.75. Statistically significant positive correlations were found among job autonomy, perceptions of organizational policy, and safety performance. Multiple regression results found 44% of the variation in safety performance explained by job autonomy, length of employment, and perceptions of organizational policy. Conclusion: Job autonomy and perceptions of organizational policy were positively related to safety performance. Hospital executives and nurse managers should work to enhance job autonomy and positive perceptions of organizational policy, to contribute to improving patient safety. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Nurses' role in patient safety is important, and factors that influence patient outcomes include organizational factors, team culture, and nurses' characteristics.Restricted job autonomy of nurses can lead to emotional exhaustion and aversion to patients.When nurses' participation in clinical decision making is limited, this can reduce the effectiveness of care and harm patient outcomes. What this paper adds? Study results indicate a need to improve nurses' job autonomy.It highlights the importance of nurses' positive perceptions of organizational policies regarding safety performance.Job autonomy is a concept acquired in a particular work environment, regardless of the size of the hospital. The implications of this paper: Hospital executives and nurse managers should be actively involved in improving nurses' job autonomy, nurses' participation in decision making, and shared governance.These efforts might broaden nurses' perspectives and facilitate their safety performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the relationships among nurse staffing, nurses prioritization of nursing activities, missed care, quality of nursing care, and nurse outcomes. Background: Inadequate staffing is associated with increased missed care, which threatens the quality of care and nurse outcomes. Methods: The study sample included 2114 staff nurses from 156 medical or surgical units of 49 general hospitals who had participated in a cross‐sectional survey conducted in 2015. Nurse staffing was measured using the patient‐to‐nurse ratio and perceived staffing adequacy. The Missed Nursing Care Survey was used to measure how frequently nurses had missed each of 24 activities. Multilevel regression analyses were employed to examine the relationships among variables. Results: The prevalence of missed care differed by nursing activity. Poorer staffing was associated with an increased number of missed activities. A higher number of missed activities and poorer staffing were associated with poorer patient safety, quality of nursing care and job satisfaction, and a higher intent to leave. Nurses gave the highest priority to focused patient reassessments, timely medications, and patient teaching, under hypothetical conditions of improved staffing. Conclusion: Adequate staffing is required to reduce missed care and to improve quality of care and nurse outcomes. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Low nurse staffing is associated with a high prevalence of missed care, which has negative effects on patient and nurse outcomes.Nurses are known to prioritize their nursing tasks in the face of time scarcity. However, insufficient studies have investigated how nurses prioritize nursing care and, further, how their prioritization would be modified if nurse staffing were to improve. What is already known about this topic? Poorer perceptions of staffing adequacy and the patient‐to‐RN ratio had a significant association with a higher number of missed nursing activities.Nurses gave the highest priority to focused reassessments, timely medications, and patient teaching, which were less frequently missed than basic care (eg, mouth care, bathing, and ambulation), even under hypothetical conditions of improved staffing. The implications of this paper: Adequate staffing is required to meet patients needs and to improve patient and nurse outcomes.Nurses perceptions and reports of missed care appear to be influenced by their health care system and culture (eg, family caregiving). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We examined Korean nurses professional quality of life, emotional labour and workplace violence to guide development of interventions to improve nurses professional quality of life. Background: Nurses face heavy exposure to emotional labour and workplace violence. Stress experienced by nurses reduces compassion satisfaction and increases compassion fatigue. Methods: Participants comprised 399 clinical nurses chosen by convenience sampling. Questionnaires measured demographic characteristics, emotional labour, workplace violence and professional quality of life. Results: Nurses professional quality of life was affected by emotional labour and workplace violence. Graduate educational level, emotional exposure and emotional supervision were associated with compassion satisfaction. Burnout was commonly associated with emotional exposure, experience and supervision of workplace violence. Secondary traumatic stress was associated with emotional exposure and experience of workplace violence. Conclusions: We elucidated the relationship between professional quality of life, emotional labour and workplace violence. Raising professional quality of life among nurses requires regular analysis of emotional labour and provision of organizational‐level interventions. Counselling programmes that address violence prevention education and comprehensive response strategies among nurses and policies that foster an organizational culture of respect and cooperation in hospitals are needed. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Promoting nurses professional quality of life is important in managing the quality of nursing care.Nurses with exposure to emotional labour show negative health effects, reduced willingness and ability to work, frequent absences, dissatisfaction and turnoverWorkplace violence negatively affects professional quality of life among clinical nurses. What is already known about this topic? Compassion satisfaction was highly related to organizational management systems for emotional labour and workplace violence.Burnout was associated with the magnitude of exposure to emotional labour and experience of workplace violence and negative organizational management systems for workplace violence.Secondary traumatic stress was associated with the magnitude of exposure to emotional labour and experience of workplace violence. The implications of this paper: To increase nurses professional quality of life, organizational management systems that address and reduce emotional labour and workplace violence are critical.It is necessary to develop programmes that address violence prevention education and comprehensive response strategies regarding emotional labour.Counselling programmes that address violence prevention education and comprehensive response strategies among nurses and policies that foster an organizational culture of respect and cooperation in hospitals are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this study was to develop flipped learning models for clinical practicums and compare their effectiveness regarding learner motivation toward learning, satisfaction, and confidence in performing core nursing skills among undergraduate nursing students in Korea. Methods This study was a randomized clinical trial designed to compare the effectiveness of 2 flipped learning models. Data were collected for 3 days from October 21 to 23, 2015 before the clinical practicum was implemented and for 2 weeks from October 26 to December 18, 2015 during the practicum period. Results The confidence of the students in performing core nursing skills was likely to increase after they engaged in the clinical practicum in both study groups. However, while learner confidence and motivation were not affected by the type of flipped learning, learner satisfaction did differ between the 2 groups. Conclusions The findings indicate that applying flipped learning allows students to conduct individualized learning with a diversity of clinical cases at their own level of understanding and at their own pace before they participate in real-world practicums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ineffective communication of critical care nurses can lead to higher levels of burnout and negatively affect quality of patient care and patient outcomes such as higher mortality. Aim The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between professional communication competences and nursing performance of critical care nurses in South Korea. Method This cross-sectional study collected data on 197 intensive care unit staff nurses in 3 tertiary academic medical centres in South Korea from July to November 2014. Results In the hierarchical regression analysis, the professional communication competences were the only significant predictors of nursing performance after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, the greater professional communication competences of nurses were associated with being older and having a higher education level, more years of overall clinical and intensive care unit experience, and a higher monthly salary. Conclusion Our findings indicate that communication skills-related training should be included in the practical education to improve nursing performance for the quality of intensive care. Further research is needed to identify the comprehensive factors on professional communication competences of nurses in intensive care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The study purpose was to determine factors affecting aging cognitive function of 3,645 community-dwelling older adults in Korea. Methods The Hasegawa Dementia Scale assessed aging cognitive function, blood analyses and anthropometrics assessed cardio-metabolic risk factors, and the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korean Version assessed depressive symptoms. Results Participants with poor aging cognitive function were more likely to be in the late age group (≥75 y) and currently smoking and have a medical history of stroke, high body mass index, and high level of depressive symptoms; they were also less likely to engage in regular meals and physical activities. Conclusion Regular meals and physical activities may be primary factors for clinical assessment to identify older adults at risk for aging cognitive function. With aging, depressive symptoms and other unhealthy lifestyle behaviours should be managed to prevent cognitive function disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study is to validate a short version of the Korean functional Health Literacy Test. Background Development of a brief and valid health literacy assessment tool, with an optimal cut-off value, is essential to identify individuals with low health literacy in the Korean-speaking population. Design This is a psychometric validation study of the instrument. Methods Item response analysis using 2-parameter logistic estimates was used for item reduction. The short form of the Korean functional Health Literacy Test was validated among 170 nursing students and 129 older adults in Korea. Data were collected from December 2015 to February 2016. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to classify health literacy level with the cut-off value. Results Item difficulty parameters of the short form of the Korean functional Health Literacy Test ranged from −1.33 to −0.35; item discrimination ranged from 1.91 to 4.47. Significant differences of the test score were shown between nursing students and older adults. The cut-off value of 6 out of 8 on the short form of the Korean functional Health Literacy Test showed a sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.65. Conclusion The short form of the Korean functional Health Literacy Test is a valid tool with sufficient diagnostic accuracy to assess health literacy in the Korean-speaking population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To examine the prevalence of adult atopic dermatitis according to occupational status. Background While atopic dermatitis is more prevalent among children, some adults also suffer from it. The disease causes considerable difficulty in these adults' social lives at school or work, suggesting that they require high-quality health care. Given the chronic nature and environmental determinants of atopic dermatitis, its associations with occupational characteristics must be clarified. Design An exploratory cross-sectional analysis using secondary data. Method Participants were 662 people diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, all 19 years old or older; raw data were taken from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010-2012) and VI (2013-2014). Results Manual workers (adjusted odds ratio 2.50, 95% confidence interval, 1.30-4.83), paid workers (1.70, 1.15-2.51), regular workers (1.83, 1.18-2.85), and full-time workers (1.88, 1.23-2.89) all showed increased odds of currently suffering from atopic dermatitis. Conclusion Prevalence rates of atopic dermatitis differed by occupational characteristics, which suggests the need for interventions seeking to prevent symptom recurrence that are tailored to occupational characteristics. We expect this study to provide helpful baseline data for better policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have reported the negative effects of depression on adherence to antihypertensive medication. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying this relationship in elderly patients with hypertension. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between depression and medication adherence among older patients with hypertension. The data were collected from October to December 2014. A total of 255 older patients with hypertension were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Self-efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Hierarchical linear regression analysis and the Sobel test were used to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between depression and medication adherence. Depression and self-efficacy were statistically significant predictors of medication adherence in older patients with hypertension. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between depression and medication adherence. Interventions targeting self-efficacy could increase the confidence of patients in their ability to actively take their medicines. Moreover, health care providers should be aware of the importance of early detection of depression in older patients with hypertension. Future studies with longitudinal data are warranted to clarify the multidirectional relationships between depression, self-efficacy, and medication adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]