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This study was intended to explore the experiences of social workers in Community Welfare Centres for People with Disabilities (CWCPDs) to understand their practices and challenges during COVID-19. It considered the essential role that CWCPD social workers play in responding to ‘new normal’ settings. Zoom interviews were conducted with twenty supervisory and manager-level social workers of CWCPDs nationwide. This study showed the unexpected cross-regional nature of risks and burdens. The high level of uncertainty and complexity allowed for the centres to operate safely under the COVID-19 legislation and for them to change and deliver alternative service provisions. Social workers had to develop new ways to deal with unprecedented risks, challenges, and dilemmas within ‘the new normal’. COVID-19 means that centres must recalibrate their relationships with service users, communities and the government. CWCPDs need to change their service provision model from a large group-centred to a person-centred model to meet individual demands. Changes are needed in terms of clarity of communication, the application of step-by-step guidelines to service provisions and a shift away from an exclusive focus on quantitative performance needs in how centres are evaluated. In all these processes, both close cooperation and support from local authorities are needed.

Despite the increasing longevity of people with intellectual disability, community care systems are ill prepared to support the choices of people with intellectual disabilities for ageing well. Thi...

BACKGROUND Self-directed supports (SDS) are a model of disability service delivery that focuses on supporting increased decision-making authority and budget autonomy for people with disabilities and their families. This study identifies supervisory and administrative staff's perspectives within a self-directed, individualised budgeting programme for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. METHOD Data were collected through 28 face-to-face interviews with supervisory and fiscal administrative staff in Minnesota, USA. RESULTS A qualitative analysis of these interviews resulted in four major themes: (1) the benefits of SDS, (2) the relationship between SDS and person-centred strategies, (3) the perception that a natural tension arises when balancing person-centred approaches with the need for consistent and fair state policy-including rules and regulations within state systems and (4) the unique challenges related to SDS benefits and challenges occurring across Minnesota. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate the importance of providing effective communication and training to all stakeholders.

This study investigated the experiences of people with developmental disabilities in self-advocacy groups to better understand the self-advocacy movement, which is currently in its developing stage...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced social inequality in marginalized groups. People with disabilities (PWD) are particularly restricted in their activities and lives due to the pandemic and experiencing more difficulties than the general population. Objective This study aims to explore the extent of the digital divide between PWD and people without disabilities (PWOD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Methods This study relied on the cross-sectional secondary data from the 2020 Digital Divide Survey conducted in Korea. We performed a series of bivariate analyses on the data of 5575 PWOD and 1781 PWD (18–69 years old) to compare Internet usage and various types of digital services related to the pandemic. Results We identified significant differences between PWOD and PWD in their Internet usage change during the pandemic. A higher number of PWD reported that their Internet usage with both computers and mobile devices remained similar to the pre-pandemic period while that of PWOD reported that their Internet usage via the same has increased. Significant gaps were found in the usage change of the five digital services with the largest gap in that of social networking services between PWOD and PWD. Further, PWOD were likelier to be aware of, utilize, and perceive the usefulness of digital services during the COVID-19 pandemic including application, information, delivery, and subscription services. Conclusion To ensure better post-pandemic outcomes for marginalized groups including PWD, the governments and authority agencies must facilitate digital access and services with appropriate accommodations needed by those populations.

Previous studies have shown that participation in social networking sites (SNSs) enhances users’ knowledge, social capital, and quality of life. However, people with intellectual developmental disabilities (PIDD) do not use SNSs to the same extent as the general population does. This study aimed to explore the experiences of those PIDD in South Korea who use social media. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 20 PIDD. The study participants reported benefits associated with the use of SNSs, which included enhanced social capital, self-confidence, and positive self-image. Participants also used SNSs to maintain friendships, initiate new relationships, and engage in self and community advocacy. Safety concerns were also reported by the participants. The study concluded that SNSs can be used as tools for promoting community inclusion and developing social capital for PIDD. However, the outcomes of using SNSs depend on the availability of support provided by one’s network. The absence of support may result in frustration and even exploitation. With effective support, SNSs become powerful tools that can be used by PIDD to combat social isolation through creating ample opportunities for social inclusion.

While an increasing body of research recognises SCI (spinal cord injury) as a life-disrupting event significantly affecting both people with SCI and their partners, little attention has been given ...

This study analyzed life after injury for burn survivors using the photovoice research method. Study participants were six burn survivors who lived in the community after being discharged from the hospital. These six participants engaged in a series of photovoice workshops and activities that took place over a period of 4 months. The study results were as follows: burn survivors were able to achieve a positive body image during their physical recovery. They overcame many psychological difficulties that accompanied their burn injuries. Their attitudes toward their lives changed positively. The greatest influence in bringing out these changes was support from family, friends, and other burn survivors. They were better able to fight against social oppression with their recovered self-esteem. The participants had experienced a disconnect from the activities and interpersonal relationships they had prior to their injury owing to long-term hospital stays and time away from work. However, as they began new social activities, they were able to establish new interpersonal relationships. Based on the research results, this study suggests that medical, psychological, and social approaches as well as positive changes in social attitude are necessary to support burn survivors’ recovery.

This chapter reviews the pertinent issues underpinning the disconnect between policies for older people with disabilities and other older people in Korea. Like many other developed countries, the population in Korea is growing increasingly older and the population of people ageing with disabilities is increasing even more rapidly. However, despite these increases in the population trends, unmet need for support services remains high. This chapter explores challenges in community services for people ageing with disabilities and provides some suggestions about how these issues might be resolved. The chapter argues that until relatively recently only modest attention has been given to these issues by policymakers or researchers. As a result, services devoted to supporting people ageing with disability need additional attention. It suggests that one promising avenue of research could be to investigate the possibilities for greater linkages between policies for disability and policies for older adults to increase and enhance community services.

Background It is evident that people with disabilities worldwide face digital divide; although this divide has been mitigated owing to greater access to technologies, a gap remains in terms of Internet use. Given that South Korea has one of the highest Internet access rates, it is necessary to examine how adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) access the Internet, and what correlates with Internet usage. Method A total of 298 adults with IDD in South Korea participated in the survey. Results The participants reported benefits from the Internet including increased opportunities for leisure and entertainment, updated news and networking with friends. Internet access was found to be pervasive among people of younger ages and less severe disabilities. Further, Internet usage corresponded to material access, digital literacy and a positive attitude towards digital applications. Conclusions Targeted digital literacy programmes can be developed for adults with IDD.

Background Societal inequalities caused by the digital divide between people with disabilities and people without disabilities are a social justice issue. Internet use to acquire beneficial outcomes has increasingly been the focus of the digital divide. Objective This study investigates the extent to which outcomes of Internet use differ between individuals with (PWD) and without disabilities (PWOD) and determinants of outcomes of Internet use. Methods We conducted a series of multiple linear regression analyses using cross-sectional data of 1762 PWD and 5491 PWOD from the Digital Divide Survey conducted in Korea in 2018. Results We determined gaps in Internet access, skill, motivation, and outcomes between PWD and PWOD. PWOD reported significantly higher Internet access, skill, and motivation, and they also acquired more beneficial outcomes on all outcome domains than PWD. Further, PWOD with higher education degrees, higher household incomes, higher motivation towards Internet use, and greater digital skills acquired more beneficial outcomes of Internet use. Moreover, disability status, motivation to use the Internet, and digital skills were the most salient determinants of outcomes of Internet use, both collectively and specifically out of the five domains. Conclusion The government should move forward to closing the gap in outcomes of Internet use between PWD and PWOD by providing programs and interventions to promote Internet use and enhance digital skills as well as by increasing web accessibility and incentives system.

BACKGROUND Future planning has emerged as a global issue for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities due to the longer lives and limited long-term services and supports in the adult disability system. While it has received greater attention, most future planning studies only included parents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the context of European or American countries. The purpose of this study was to examine future planning among siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Korea. METHOD In this study, 185 Korean siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities responded to a survey. RESULTS Few siblings engaged in future planning activities and reported a range of barriers to conduct future planning. Further, greater future planning involvement was associated with older siblings, greater advocacy level and greater sibling caregiving. CONCLUSION For future research, culturally relevant measures and intervention should be addressed.

This study aims to explore the psychosocial experiences of the ageing of middle-aged people with intellectual disabilities in Korea. Data were collected through 28 face-to-face interviews with Korean individuals with intellectual disabilities, aged between 40 and 50. This study identified several key factors faced by middle-aged people with intellectual disabilities. First, they experience financial constraints due to a lack of economic self-determination. Second, they have a very narrow range of social connections. Typically, they have small and weak networks consisting of only a few social workers, personal assistants, or group home workers, or their peers at group home or workshops. This is often due to a lack of information, money, and age-appropriate services. Third, those who have jobs in middle age have positive opportunities acquired through work. Fourth, study participants experienced considerable unspecified anxiety about ageing, as well as fear of death and uncertainty regarding the future. Recommendations are made to improve active ageing in an appropriate setting for middle-aged people with intellectual disabilities. Improved training and education about economic self-determination are needed for these individuals and their families, as well as improved information about community services. Moreover, enhanced community services for them must be developed. These individuals would benefit from improved employment opportunities as well. Workshops regarding active ageing and death should be developed. Finally, future plans for living placement must be in place.

This paper explores the difference in the online economic activities of people with and without disabilities in Korea. We conducted a multiple regression analysis to investigate the impact of socio...

In South Korea, disability and immigration are hidden and invisible phenomena. This article examines how immigrant mothers experience the intersection of immigrant status and mothering a disabled child. Through semi-structured interviews with 16 immigrant mothers, this study found that the values of Confucian familism regarding motherhood and gender roles influenced how these immigrant mothers behaved. The study also found that immigrant mothers faced multiple forms of stigma and discrimination as a result of negative socio-cultural views of disability and immigration. Therefore, the article suggests a need for inter-professional, anti-oppression work strategies to support immigrant mothers of disabled children, along with education for social workers about these issues.

Background and aim In a recent study, microsatellite variations (GCA tandem repeats) in the promoter region of the (kidney-type) glutaminase gene were associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in Spanish patients with cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to validate the relation between microsatellite variations in the glutaminase promoter region and the development of overt HE in Korean patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study of 154 cirrhotic patients who underwent a glutaminase microsatellite study without previous overt HE history at baseline. The primary endpoint was the first episode of overt HE. The microsatellite length was categorized into three groups based on its repeated number, with a cutoff value of 14; 65 (42.2%), 70 (45.5 %), and 19 (12.3%) patients had the short-short, short-long, and long-long alleles, respectively. Results Over a median 3.5 years of follow-up (range = 0.1 – 4.4), overt HE developed in 28 patients (18.2 %). The 3-year cumulative incidence of overt HE was 18.4%. Multivariate Cox model indicated that past hepatocellular carcinoma history, alcoholic etiology for cirrhosis, higher model for end-stage liver disease scores and their deterioration, and serum ammonium levels were independently associated with HE development. However, microsatellite length was not associated with the development of overt HE. Conclusions In Korean patients with cirrhosis, microsatellite variations in the glutaminase promoter region were not associated with development of overt HE. Thus additional studies are needed to identify other genetic factors related to glutaminase activity in Asians with overt HE.

The present study compared meaning-making coping among cancer patients in Sweden and South Korea, with a focus on the sociocultural context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 51 Swedes and 33 Koreans. The results showed significant differences between the two countries as well as similarities in existential, spiritual, and religious coping. For example, Swedes primarily used meaning-making coping as a means of meditation or relaxation, whereas Koreans relied on coping with prayer and using healthy foods as a means to survive. The present study confirms the significance of investigating cultural context when we explore the use of meaning-making coping among people who have experienced cancer. Meaning-making coping

Background Most research on domestic abuse and disability has focused on women with disabilities, while research on abuse against men with disabilities and their risk factors is virtually non-existent. Objective The purpose of this research is to understand domestic abuse experienced by people with disabilities by investigating its prevalence and risk factors. Method This research used the National Survey on Persons with Disabilities (2011) . Using a stratified sampling method, 5259 respondents were identified to make up the final sample. Ordered logistic regression was used to verify risk factors for abuse. Results Risk factors for women with disabilities are age, educational attainment level, ADL, experiences of discrimination, awareness of disability discrimination, external support, and satisfaction with number of friends. Risk factors for men with disabilities are region, experiences of discrimination, awareness of disability discrimination, external support, and satisfaction with number of friends. For both women and men with disabilities, more experience of discrimination, greater awareness of disability discrimination, less external support, and less satisfaction with number of friends are associated with a higher likelihood of having experiences of abuse. Men with disabilities living in rural areas have a higher risk of abuse than those living in cities. Younger women, women with lower educational attainment, and those with lower physical functioning are more likely to have experienced abuse. Conclusions Based on these findings, the authors make recommendations designed to protect people with disabilities from domestic abuse.

This study sets out to examine and understand the meaning of social inclusion for people with disabilities, as constructed by people with disabilities themselves. Focus group interviews with 34 people who have physical impairments, cerebral palsy, or hearing or visual impairments were conducted for the study. Using the data obtained from these interviews, the interviewees’ various definitions and perceptions of social inclusion were analysed and four meaning categories for social inclusion were identified: excluded/segregated, present, participating, and actively participating. The findings of this research can be used as foundational material in the development of disability policies and the improvement of social services to better enable full social participation and social inclusion for people with disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of group art therapy on improving the emotional capacities of older Korean adults with Neurocognitive Disorders (ND). In Korea, little research has been conducted on patients with mental disorders in nursing homes to measure the effectiveness of art therapy. Expanding upon previous research, this study tested an art therapy program that included 36 treatment sessions and used a wide variety of materials, including traditional materials, such as rice paper, Korean paints and brushes, and ink sticks. The program's goals were to reduce patients’ levels of depression and improve their ability to express themselves. This research analyzed the effect of art therapy using the Short Geriatric Depression Scale and computer analysis of painting patterns. Older Korean adults with ND were shown to have decreased levels of depression and increased levels of self-expression, demonstrating that group art therapy was effective at improving the condition of older patients with ND.

Few studies have compared the long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection and surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection with those of surgery for early gastric cancer (EGC).We reviewed prospectively collected data of patients who had undergone endoscopic resection (1,290 patients) or surgery (1,273 patients) for EGC. To reduce the effect of selection bias, we performed a propensity score-matching analysis between the two groups. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes were disease-specific survival, disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), occurrence of metachronous gastric cancer, treatment-related complications, length of hospital stay, and 30-day outcomes. The study was designed as a non-inferiority study and tested in an intention-to-treat analysis.In a propensity-matched analysis of 611 pairs, the 10-year OS proportion was 96.7% in the endoscopic resection group and 94.9% in the surgery group (P=0.120) (risk difference -1.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.04-0.44, Pnon-inferiority=0.014), which met the non-inferiority criterion. In contrast, the 10-year RFS proportion was 93.5% in the endoscopic resection group and 98.2% in the surgery group (P0.001) (risk difference 4.7%, 95% CI 2.50-6.97, Pnon-inferiority=0.820), which did not meet the non-inferiority criterion, mainly because of metachronous recurrence in the endoscopic resection group. The rate of early complications was higher in the endoscopic resection group than in the surgery group (9.0 vs. 6.6%, P=0.024), whereas the rate of late complications was higher in the surgery group than in the endoscopic resection group (0.5 vs. 2.9%, P0.001). In the multiple Cox regression analysis, patient's age, the comorbidity index, the performance index, sex, tumor morphology, and depth of invasion were predictors of OS in patients with EGC.Endoscopic resection might not be inferior to surgery with respect to OS in patients with EGC lesions that meet the absolute or expanded criteria. However, DFS, RFS, and metachronous RFS might be lower after endoscopic resection than after surgery.

This study investigates how the socio-demographic characteristics of Koreans with disabilities influence its social exclusion. We surveyed 810 people with various disabilities at welfare agencies for people with disabilities and centers for independent living across the country. We found that academic background, occupation, average monthly household income, health status, degree of disability, and status as a recipient of Korea’s national basic living allowance have the greatest influence on social exclusion. Those who are less educated, receive the national basic living allowance, are unemployed, have less average monthly household income, are less healthy, or are more severely disabled experience higher levels of social exclusion than other people with disabilities do. We investigated four types of social exclusion: exclusion from material distribution, exclusion from social rights, exclusion from participation and relationships, and exclusion based on culture and norms. More participants reported exclusion from social rights than other types of exclusion. Based on these findings, we suggest policy-related ways to lessen the social exclusion of people with disabilities in Korea.

This study explores the essence of disabled artists’ creative endeavours and investigates what constitutes the environmental barriers that hinder their creative activities. For the research 12 disabled artists were chosen from a list of renowned disabled artists. The study found that creativity is the same for both disabled people and non-disabled people, but for disabled people their surroundings often make it difficult for them to establish their identities. These findings clearly illustrate that the empowerment of disabled artists through art education is crucial. They also show that social attitudes toward disability need to change, since negative views regarding disability art are underpinned by negative views of disabled people. In addition, relevant policies to advance disability art should be instituted and supportive measures to solve the financial problems faced by disabled artists must be taken.

This chapter presents an overview of ways that the profession of social work in the Republic of Korea engages with spirituality in its diverse religious and philosophical forms. The Korean understanding of the English term 'social work' also varies from what is understood in some other countries. Korean social workers must be prepared to work with people who are nonreligious, with religiously affiliated people from religions that are long established, and with people affiliated with Islam and other religions not previously widespread in South Korea. Buddhism moved from India to China and then into Korea about 2,000 years ago. Protestantism was introduced in the latter 1880s. After the Joseon Dynasty, the influence of Christianity grew, including in nationalist movements against Japanese occupation. Shamanism is the most ancient indigenous tradition of Korea. The contemporary stance of the profession of Korean social work on spiritual diversity has several features.

본 연구는 장애인 거주시설의 성격을 규명하고 거주시설을 이용하는 장애인의 사회접 배제를 방지하기 위해 복지권과 돌봄의 윤리 관점에서 거주시설 개선 방안을 제안하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 우리나라 장애인 거주시설의 주요한 특성으로는 집단성, 격리성, 권력불평등성, 비선택성을 지적하였으며, 이를 위해서는 돌봄의 윤리와 복지권의 관점에서 보충성의 원칙, 정상화의 원칙, 신뢰의 원칙, 개별성의 원칙에 따라 거주시설이 운영되어야 함을 제시하였다. 또한 이를 실현하기 위한 정부의 과제로는 서비스신청권을 통한 일괄 조사, 시설의 소규모화와 지역사회 배치, 사례관리(개별지원)의 체계화, 서비스 제공과정의 구조화 등을 제시하였고, 시설운영자의 과제로서는 시설사회화의 노력 강화, 이용자 참여의 활성화를 제시하였다.

The aim of the study was to develop a reliable and easy-to-use risk-scoring system (RSS) to predict lymph-node metastasis (LNM) and determine the feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection for mucosa-confined signet ring cell carcinomas (SRCs).Fewer LNM and better survival rates have been reported for early gastric SRCs compared with other undifferentiated early gastric cancers (EGCs).Data from 1544 patients with mucosa-confined SRCs were reviewed. Stepwise logistic regression analysis determined the independent predictors of LNM. Risk scores were based on the final predictive factors for LNM, and performance was internally validated using a split-sample approach. External validation was also performed in an independent dataset (n = 208) to assess the discriminatory power of the RSS.The overall LNM incidence was 3.8% (57/1544). Three risk factors (tumor size ≥1.7 cm, tumors of elevated type, and lymphatic-vascular involvement) were significantly associated with LNM. These factors were incorporated into the RSS, and were assigned scores ranging from 0 to 4. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for predicting LNM after internal and external validation was 0.68 (95% confidence interval, 0.0793-0.2865) and 0.686 (95% confidence interval, 0.618-0.748), respectively. A score of 2 points was the optimal cut-off value for LNM prediction, and the overall diagnostic accuracy was 96%. LNM were found in 2.9% and 23.8% of the low and high-risk groups of the RSS, respectively.A RSS may help to predict LNM and evaluate endoscopic submucosal dissection feasibility in patients with intramucosal SRC.

In a recent study, microsatellite variations (GCA tandem repeats) in the promoter region of the (kidney-type) glutaminase gene were associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in Spanish patients with cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to validate the relation between microsatellite variations in the glutaminase promoter region and the development of overt HE in Korean patients with liver cirrhosis.We performed a prospective cohort study of 154 cirrhotic patients who underwent a glutaminase microsatellite study without previous overt HE history at baseline. The primary end point was the first episode of overt HE. The microsatellite length was categorized into three groups based on its repeated number, with a cutoff value of 14; 65 (42.2%), 70 (45.5%), and 19 (12.3%) patients had the short-short, short-long, and long-long alleles, respectively.Over a median 3.5 years of follow-up (range = 0.1-4.4), overt HE developed in 28 patients (18.2%). The 3-year cumulative incidence of overt HE was 18.4%. Multivariate Cox model indicated that past hepatocellular carcinoma history, alcoholic etiology for cirrhosis, higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores and their deterioration, and serum ammonium levels were independently associated with HE development. However, microsatellite length was not associated with the development of overt HE.In Korean patients with cirrhosis, microsatellite variations in the glutaminase promoter region were not associated with development of overt HE. Thus, additional studies are needed to identify other genetic factors related to glutaminase activity in Asians with overt HE.

From the mid-1980s onwards, there has been a significant labor force migration to Korea from other Asian countries due to the availability of higher wages in Korea. The majority of the migrant workers work in small businesses, categorized as simple and high-risk occupations, leading them to be exposed to more dangerous and high-risk working environments and to more frequent industrial accidents. This study researched the experiences of industrial accidents by interviewing 11 migrant workers who had industrial accidents while working in Korea. Based on the study results, I recommend strengthening industrial safety education in workers’ native languages, increasing cultural understanding of the medical staff and of the need for an interpreter, supporting non-benefit items of medical expenses, educating workers about Workers’ Compensation Insurance and promoting the use of this entitlement, and developing non-governmental organizations’ capacity to represent the rights of the migrant workers and improve empl...

This analysis compares legislation of the first country to enact these laws, the USA and its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in original and amended versions, with Korea, which recently passed its Anti‐Discrimination and Remedies for Persons with Disabilities Act in 2007. The intent is to identify ways in which countries such as Korea have learned from the American experience, focusing on similarities and differences between the two pieces of legislation, as well as the relevance of lessons learned to other countries considering similar legislation. Origins of the act in each country will be summarized, followed by a review of how disability is defined, what areas are subject to protection and the types of discrimination covered. Key judicial interpretations of the ADA which have greatest relevance to successful implementation of the Korean anti‐discrimination law will also be discussed.

An essential component for achieving independence in a community setting for people with disabilities is the ability to perform personal care activities with or without assistance. This paper aims to evaluate the level of satisfaction of people who used personal assistance services (PAS) during 2007 in Korea. People's satisfaction was high when they were able to use all of the assigned hours and when they had been assigned enough hours to meet their needs. Therefore, policymakers must try to increase service hours for people with disabilities so that they have enough help from attendants. The more the opinions of people with disabilities were considered in shaping the plan of care, the higher the satisfaction score. To increase the satisfaction, service users' involvement with the program has to be incorporated into the program as much as possible.

†† † † † , † † ‡ ‡ † ‡ Background/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a new and potentially curative method for treating gastrointestinal neoplasms, may have longer procedure time and the risk of complications when compared to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ESD in patients with comorbid diseases. Methods: The outcomes of 337 patients who underwent ESD for early gastric cancer at Samsung Medical Center from April 2003 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. The Charlson comorbidity scale was used to divide the patients into low-risk (no risk factor) and high-risk (at least one risk factor) groups. The outcomes and complications were compared between the high-and low- risk groups. Results: The low- and high-risk groups comprised 240 and 97 patients with mean ages of 61.1 and 64.7 years, respectively (p=0.002). Tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, procedure duration, and rates of en bloc resection, complete resection, complication, and recurrence did not differ significantly between the two groups (p＞0.05). Conclusions: ESD may be a safe and effective treatment for early gastric cancer in patients with comorbid diseases. (Gut Liver 2010;4:186191)

본 연구는 국내 사회복지실천 현장에서 현재 실제로 이루어지고 있는 강점관점과 지역사회네트워크를 기반으로 하는 통합적 사례관리의 구체적인 실천방법이 무엇인지 알아보고자 시도되었다. 이를 위하여 통합적 사례관리를 전문적으로 실천하고 있는 우리아이 희망네트워크 실무자들이 아동을 대상으로 수행하고 있는 강점관점 사례관리의 실천지혜를 귀납적으로 구조화시키고자 하였다. 이들 실천가들의 표현을 통해 구체적인 강점관점 사례관리 실천방법을 수집하여 통계적으로 분석하여 분류하고, 이 결과를 연구 참여자들과 함께 해석하여 개념을 부여하였다. 이들의 실천방법은 "아동가족과 일하기", "아동가족과 관계맺기", "지역사회와 일하기", "팀워크 강화하기", "사례관리 능력을 강화하기", "탄력적으로 운영하기" 등 크게 6가지로 구분되었다. 아동을 대상으로 하는 실천현장에서 이루어지고 있는 강점관점 사례관리의 핵심적인 방법은 3가지로, 아동가족을 대하는 방법, 아동가족과 관계 맺는 방법 그리고 지역사회와 일하는 방법 등이다. 본 연구의 참여자들은 강점관점 사례관리를 함에 있어서 실천가의 사례관리 능력이 가장 중요한 것으로 인식하고 있었으며, 동시에 이의 실현 가능성은 매우 낮을 것으로 기대하고 있었다. 이는 실천가들이 자신들의 사례관리 실천 능력에 만족하고 있지 못하며 현장에서 사례관리자로서 능력의 한계를 경험하고 있는 것으로 해석된다. 따라서 강점관점 사례관리자들이 자신들의 능력을 제고할 수 있는 교육 ? 훈련의 기회를 보다 더 다양하게 제공해야 할 필요가 있으며, 아울러 실천가들이 이론적인 강점관점 사례관리 실천에 대한 강박감을 줄일 수 있도록 통합적 사례관리 실천의 best practice 상(像)에 현장의 실천지혜를 반영하는 것이 타당할 것이다.

Since the late 1990s disabled women’s advocacy organizations have fought against oppression and have made great strides in Korea. This paper aims to describe the accomplishments, challenges and future directions of disabled women’s advocacy organizations in Korea. A qualitative design was employed to explore disabled women’s perspectives. Participants were leaders in disabled women’s advocacy organizations and were recruited from each of the organizations existing in Korea in 2007. Among seven potential participants, five were interviewed. Accomplishments to date include significant gains in the recognition and visibility of disabled women, advances in the use of gender‐sensitive approaches to the development of disability policies and the growth of networks among disabled women’s organizations. Disabled women’s advocacy will continue to become stronger in the future through increased organizational membership, the development of a distinct organizational identity, the articulation of more focused policy ...