Kiwol Sung

Relationships between Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Turnover Intention in Korean Hospital Nurses

PURPOSE This study aimed to identify relationships between compassion fatigue, burnout, and turnover intention in Korean hospital nurses. METHODS In total, 142 hospital nurses were surveyed as part of data collection. Data related to compassion fatigue, burnout, and turnover intention were collected using a questionnaire between May 2011 and September 2011. The data analysis was performed using PASW 19.0 program, which included one-way ANOVA, independent t-tests, Pearsons correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS This study detected a positive correlation between compassion fatigue and burnout(r=.37, p<.001), and turnover intention(r=.55, p<.001). Compassion fatigue accounted for 29.6% of the variance for turnover intention among Korean hospital nurses. CONCLUSION The results indicate that it is necessary to reduce compassion fatigue, and turnover intention among Korean hospital nurses.

Relationship of daily activity and biochemical variables in the elderly with diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE This study was done to identify correlates and variables predicting daily activity among elders with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). METHODS Seventy-six elders registered in the Department of Endocrine Medicine at C university hospital participated in data collection. Data on daily activity and biochemical variables were collected via actigraph accelerator (Actical) and blood tests between September 2009 and July 2010. Data analysis was done using SPSS WIN 15.0 program and included one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS This study showed a positive correlation between daily activity and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and a negative correlation among Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C). The variables predicting daily activity were frequency of exercise, HDL-C, and TC. These factors accounted for 40.0% of the variance of daily activity in elders with DM. CONCLUSION The results indicate that it is necessary to improve daily activity to reduce Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), TC, and TG in elders with DM.

Predictive Factors associated with Death of Elderly in Nursing Homes

PURPOSE An increasing elderly population reflects a great need for readily accessible, clinically useful methods to identify mortality-related factors in nursing home residents. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the deaths of nursing home residents. METHODS Data was collected from a Minimal Data Set of 195 elderly nursing home residents, followed by analysis of demographic factors, disease and nursing condition factors, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), cognitive function, behavioral patterns, and dysfunctional status. RESULTS Major factors associated with death among nursing home residents were identified as dyspnea (odds ratio [OR] = 4.88), problematic behaviors (OR = 3.95), and ADL (OR = 3.61). These variables accounted for 31.1% of the variance in death. CONCLUSION Dyspnea, problematic behaviors, and ADL data were identified as the key factors associated with death among nursing home residents. Future plans for the prediction of death among nursing home residents can be made by nursing staff, factoring in these identified variables, to ensure more comfortable conditions and more responsive care.

A Phenomenological Study on the Experience of Hurt and Forgiveness of Clinical Nurses in Korea after Loss of Employment

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to understand and analyze the experience of hurt and forgiveness of clinical nurses in Korea. METHODS A phenomenological research method guided data collection and analysis. The subjects were a total of 5 nurses who had experienced hurt and forgiveness. Data was collected through individual in-depth interviews. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Coding was used to establish different concepts and categories. RESULTS The following three common constituents have been found as a retrospective focus based on the primary hurt related to the clinical situation; recognizing their personal values, obtaining their view about forgiveness, as well as their view of self. CONCLUSION The results of this study may contribute to health professionals working in various clinical settings to understand Korean nurses with hurt and forgiveness experiences.

Exploring Wisdom in the Korean Elderly: A Q Methodology Study

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to analyze the subjectivity of wisdom in the Korean elderly. METHODS Q-methodology was used. The 33 selected Q-statements from each of the 41 participants were classified into a shape of normal distribution using a 9-point scale. The collected data were analyzed using the Analysis Software for (Technique. RESULTS Four types of wisdom for research participants of Korean elderly were identified. Type I is experience-oriented action type; Type II is emotion-oriented sympathy type; Type III is human relationship-oriented consideration type; and Type IV is problem solution-oriented insight type. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that different approaches to health and nursing care for elders can be recommended based on the four types studied.

The Effects of a Health Mentoring Education Program on Diabetes Management for Older Adults

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of education program to train elderly health mentors on diabetes knowledge, attitude of a health mentor, and skills (accuracy of self-measurement of blood glucose, guideline performance level of safety exercise, reaction to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia) of the well-educated elderly. Methods: A prospective stratified experimental design with intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in a 6-week, 12-session education program that trained elder health mentor for 45 min each in diabetes management. Post-tests were conducted after six weeks to estimate the effects on the study variables. Results: The mentoring program effectively increased knowledge on diabetes, attitude of a health mentor, skills on accuracy of self-measurement of blood glucose, performance level of safety exercise, reaction to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia of the well-educated elderly. Conclusions: This study will allow older persons with diabetes to serve in a mentor role in their communities and expand the labor resources of health mentor. Correspondence to: Jiran Nam, Department of Nursing, Gumi University, South Korea, Tel: 82-54-440-1307; Fax: 82-54-440-1219; E-mail: sik4300@hanmail.net