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Purpose: This non-randomized study was performed to evaluate the effects of music therapy on labor pain, the childbirth experience, and self-esteem in women during vaginal delivery., Methods: In total, 136 primiparous women over 37 weeks of gestation receiving epidural analgesia during vaginal delivery were recruited via convenience sampling. To minimize diffusion effects, data from the control group (n=71) were collected first (April 2020 to March 2021), followed by data from the music group (n=65; April 2021 to May 2022). Participants in the music group listened to classical music during labor, while the control group was offered usual care (no music). Labor pain was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS), and self-esteem and childbirth experience were collected using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, chi-square test and Cronbach's α coefficients., Results: The overall pain level (NRS) at baseline was 0 in both groups. Mothers in the music therapy group had lower levels of latent pain (t=1.95, p=.005), active pain (t=3.69, p<.001) and transition-phase pain (t=7.07, p<.001) than the control group. A significant difference was observed between the two groups, and the music therapy group expressed more positive perceptions of the childbirth experience (t=-1.36, p=.018). For self-esteem, the experimental group's score was slightly higher, but without a statistically significant difference from the control group., Conclusion: Using music therapy during labor decreased labor pain and improved the childbirth experience. Music therapy can be clinically recommended as a non-pharmacological, safe, and easy method for nursing care in labor. Clinical trail number: KCT008561.

Purpose: This study examined characteristics and patterns of interorganizational networks for smoking prevention and cessation in Korea., Methods: We surveyed two community health centers, ninety-five hospitals or clinics, ninety-two pharmacies, and sixty-five health welfare organizations in two districts of Seoul in 2020. Data on the organizations' characteristics of smoking cessation and interorganizational activities for information sharing, client referral, and program collaboration were collected and analyzed using network statistics and blockmodeling., Results: Network size was in the order of information sharing, client referral, and program collaboration networks. Network patterns for interorganizational activities on information sharing, client referral, and program collaboration among four organizations were similar between the two districts. Community health centers provided information and received clients from a majority of the organizations. Their interactions were not unidirectional but mutual with other organizations. Pharmacies were involved in information sharing with health welfare organizations and client referrals to hospitals or clinics. Health welfare organizations were primarily connected with the community health centers for client referrals and program collaboration., Conclusion: A community health center is the lead agency in interorganizational activities for smoking prevention and cessation. However, hospitals or clinics, pharmacies, and health welfare organizations also participate in interorganizational networks for smoking prevention and cessation with diverse roles. This study would be evidence for developing future interorganizational networks for smoking prevention and cessation., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (© 2022 Korean Society of Nursing Science.)

Purpose: This study aimed to explore and compare the knowledge structure of pain management nursing research, between Korea and other countries, applying a text network analysis., Methods: 321 Korean and 6,685 international study abstracts of pain management, published from 2004 to 2017, were collected. Keywords and meaningful morphemes from the abstracts were analyzed and refined, and their co-occurrence matrix was generated. Two networks of 140 and 424 keywords, respectively, of domestic and international studies were analyzed using NetMiner 4.3 software for degree centrality, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, and eigenvector community analysis., Results: In both Korean and international studies, the most important, core-keywords were "pain," "patient," "pain management," "registered nurses," "care," "cancer," "need," "analgesia," "assessment," and "surgery." While some keywords like "education," "knowledge," and "patient-controlled analgesia" found to be important in Korean studies; "treatment," "hospice palliative care," and "children" were critical keywords in international studies. Three common sub-topic groups found in Korean and international studies were "pain and accompanying symptoms," "target groups of pain management," and "RNs' performance of pain management." It is only in recent years (2016~17), that keywords such as "performance," "attitude," "depression," and "sleep" have become more important in Korean studies than, while keywords such as "assessment," "intervention," "analgesia," and "chronic pain" have become important in international studies., Conclusion: It is suggested that Korean pain-management researchers should expand their concerns to children and adolescents, the elderly, patients with chronic pain, patients in diverse healthcare settings, and patients' use of opioid analgesia. Moreover, researchers need to approach pain-management with a quality of life perspective rather than a mere focus on individual symptoms., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (© 2019 Korean Society of Nursing Science.)

Purpose: This study aimed to identify and compare hospice care research topics between Korean and international nursing studies using text network analysis., Methods: The study was conducted in four steps: 1) collecting abstracts of relevant journal articles, 2) extracting and cleaning keywords (semantic morphemes) from the abstracts, 3) developing co-occurrence matrices and text-networks of keywords, and 4) analyzing network-related measures including degree centrality, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, and clustering using the NetMiner program. Abstracts from 347 Korean and 1,926 international studies for the period of 1998-2016 were analyzed., Results: Between Korean and international studies, six of the most important core keywords-"hospice," "patient," "death," "RNs," "care," and "family"-were common, whereas "cancer" from Korean studies and "palliative care" from international studies ranked more highly. Keywords such as "attitude," "spirituality," "life," "effect," and "meaning" for Korean studies and "communication," "treatment," "USA," and "doctor" for international studies uniquely emerged as core keywords in recent studies (2011~2016). Five subtopic groups each were identified from Korean and international studies. Two common subtopics were "hospice palliative care and volunteers" and "cancer patients.", Conclusion: For a better quality of hospice care in Korea, it is recommended that nursing researchers focus on study topics of patients with non-cancer disease, children and family, communication, and pain and symptom management., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (© 2017 Korean Society of Nursing Science)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate the Korean version of the Ethical Leadership at Work questionnaire (K-ELW) that measures RNs' perceived ethical leadership of their nurse managers., Methods: The strong validation process suggested by Benson (1998), including translation and cultural adaptation stage, structural stage, and external stage, was used. Participants were 241 RNs who reported their perceived ethical leadership using both the pre-version of K-ELW and a previously known Ethical Leadership Scale, and interactional justice of their managers, as well as their own demographics, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, reliability coefficients, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. SPSS 19.0 and Amos 18.0 versions were used., Results: A modified K-ELW was developed from construct validity evidence and included 31 items in 7 domains: People orientation, task responsibility fairness, relationship fairness, power sharing, concern for sustainability, ethical guidance, and integrity. Convergent validity, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity were supported according to the correlation coefficients of the 7 domains with other measures., Conclusion: The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that the modified K-ELW can be adopted in Korean nursing organizations, and reliable and valid ethical leadership scores can be expected.

Occult HBV infection is defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver (with or without detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum) of individuals testing negative for HBsAg. Studies on occult HBV infection in hepatitis C patients have reported highly variable prevalence, because the prevalence of occult HBV infection varies depending on the hepatitis B risk factors and methodological approaches. The most reliable diagnostic approach for detecting occult HBV detection is through examination of liver DNA extracts. HCV has been suspected to strongly suppress HBV replication up to the point where it may be directly responsible for occult HBV infection development. However, more data are needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion regarding the role of HCV in inducing occult HBV infection. Occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients is a complex biological entity with possible relevant clinical implications. Influence of occult HBV infection on the clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis C may be considered negative. However, recent studies have shown that occult HBV infection could be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and contribute to the worsening of the course of chronic liver disease over time in chronic hepatitis C patients. Nevertheless, the possible role of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C is still unresolved and no firm conclusion has been made up until now. It still remains unclear how occult HBV infection affects the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, in order to resolve current controversies and understand the pathogenic role and clinical impacts of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients, well-designed clinical studies are needed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explain the role transition process to nurse case managers (NCMs) for Medical-aid beneficiaries in Korea., Methods: Fourteen NCMs were interviewed regarding their experiences of becoming proficient in the new role of case manger. Data were analyzed through the application of grounded theory., Results: 'Taking root in a barren land' was the core category explaining the role transition process of NCMs. They engaged in four stages: launching, trial and error, proficiency, and wait-and-see stages. NCMs showed not only fear but also passion for case management practice. Despite their passion and effort, NCMs went through a period of trial and error. After becoming skilled, NCMs went through a stage of wait-and-see often because of job insecurity related to temporary position or few opportunities for promotion. Factors influencing NCMs' role transition process included their understanding of client characteristics, belief in case management, and support from their colleagues and families., Conclusion: NCMs experience many challenges in the process of becoming proficient NCMs. To help with their role transition, there is a need for education programs, preceptorship programs, research on their roles and functions, and regulation for securing NCMs' employment and career stability.

Objectives: This study shows the issues that should be considered when applying standardized rates using Community Health Survey(CHS) data., Methods: We analyzed 2008 CHS data. In order to obtain the reliability of standardized rates, we calculated z-score and rank correlation coefficients between direct standardized rate and indirect standardized rate for 31 major indices. Especially, we assessed the change of correlations according to population composition (age and sex), and characteristics of the index. We used Mantel-Haenszel chi-square to quantify the difference of population composition., Results: Among 31 major indices, 29 indices' z-score and rank correlation coefficients were over 0.9. However, regions with larger differences in population composition showed lower reliability. Low reliability was also observed for the indices specific to subgroups with small denominator such as 'permanent lesion from stroke', and the index with large regional variations in age-related differences such as 'obtaining health examinations'., Conclusions: Standardized rates may have low reliability, if comparison is made between areas with extremely large differences in population composition, or for indicies with large regional variations in age-related differences. Therefore, the special features of standardized rates should be considered when health state are compared among areas.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a substantive theory of case management (CM) practice by investigating the experience of nurse case managers caring for Medical Aid enrollees in Korea., Methods: A total of 12 nurses were interviewed regarding their own experience in CM practice. Data were recorded and analyzed using grounded theory., Results: Empowerment was the core category of CM for Medical Aid enrollees. The case managers engaged in five phases as follows, phase of inquiring in advance, building a relationship with the client, giving the client critical mind, facilitating positive changes in the client's use of healthcare services, and maintaining relationship bonds. These phases moved gradually and were circular if necessary. Also, they were accelerated or slowed depending on factors including clients' characteristics, case managers' competency level, families' support level, and availability of community resources., Conclusion: This study helps understand what CM practice is and how nurses are performing this innovative CM role. It is recommended that nurse leaders and policy makers integrate empowerment as a core category and the five critical CM phases into future CM programs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify nursing interventions performed by public health nurses in health centers., Method: Data was collected by the taxonomy of Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC 3rd: 486 nursing interventions) from 131 public health nurses in health centers and analyzed using descriptive statistics., Result: As its result, more than 50% of public health nurses performed 137 nursing interventions at least monthly. The most frequently used intervention class was "activity and exercise management", followed by "physical comfort promotion", "community health promotion", "life span care", "coping assistance", "self care facilitation", "information management", "nutrition support", "community risk management" and "patient education". One hundred twenty nursing interventions were rarely performed by 90% or more of the nurses. Most of them were in the physical complex domain., Conclusion: In conclusion, 137 interventions were performed by public health nurses at least monthly. NIC is helpful to build a standardized language for public health nursing.

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effects of a short term comprehensive life style modification program on glycemic metabolism, lipid metabolism and body composition in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients., Method: A nonequivalent control group with a pre post test was designed. Data collection was done from October 2003 to June, 2004 at a hospital. Glycemic metabolism was measured by a.c., p.c. and HbA(1c), and lipid metabolism was measured by cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Body Composition was measured by body weight, body mass index, waist, measurement waist per hip ratio, body fat, muscle weight and abdominal fat tissue(intra abdominal distance). The Experimental group, which was composed of 29 participants, was educated based on a life style modification protocol at a weekly meeting for 12 weeks and carried out exercise, diet along individual parameters and self monitoring, while 24 participants in the control group received only diet education., Result: 1. The experimental group showed a significant lower a.c.(t=2.11, p=.04) and HbA(1c)(t=2.65, p=.01) compared to those of the control group. 2. The experimental group showed a significant lower LDL than the results of the control group(t=2.42, p=.02). 3. The experimental group showed a significant lower weight(t=3.09, p=.00), BMI(t=3.01, p=.00), body fat(t=2.94, p=.01) and abdominal fat tissue(t=3.05, p=.01) than those of the control group., Conclusion: The results provided evidence for the effectiveness of a short term comprehensive life style modification program composed of exercise, diet, support, self efficacy elevation and self monitoring in type 2 diabetes mellitus.