Nam-Cho Kim

Stress and coping strategies of patients with cancer: A Korean study

Cancer is a potential life-threatening illness that engenders considerable psychologic distress, requiring persistent coping for the treatment procedures. In this cross-sectional descriptive study stress levels and coping strategies of 257 cancer patients residing in South Korea are addressed. Lazarus and Folkman’s theory of stress and coping was used as the theoretical framework. The data were collected from November 1999 to March 2000 by face-to-face interviews. Study participants were primarily male (62.6%) and married (91.4%). Cancer of the gastrointestinal system was the most prevalent type of cancer (31.3%). Women and the patients in the third-stage of cancer showed higher stress but less coping than other groups. Stress was negatively correlated with both problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Korean patients with cancer used emotion-focused coping strategies more than problem-focused coping strategies.

Trigger Factors and Outcomes of Falls Among Korean Hospitalized Patients Analysis of Electronic Medical Records

This retrospective case-control study investigated risk factors for falls in hospitalized patients and the influence of falls on patient outcomes, using electronic medical records (EMRs) in a South Korean tertiary university hospital. Data were obtained from 868 patients who had experienced a fall and 3,472 patients who had not. Potential risk factors were obtained from EMR data and analyzed using hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Multiple logistic and linear regressions were used to analyze the influence of falls on patient outcomes. Results showed that introducing a fall prevention reinforcement policy contributed to reducing fall risk. Hospital inpatient falls contribute to negative patient outcomes (mortality, readmission, emergency room visits after discharge, length of stay, and costs).

Effects of education in an obesity control program for obese homemakers on body fat and flexibility in Korea

The study aims to investigate the effects of education in an obesity-control program (EOCP) on the percentage of body fat and flexibility in obese women in Korea. Women with over 30% body fat were offered EOCP between July 2012 and October 2012. The EOCP consisted of an educational program, exercise program, and counseling. The numbers of participants both in the EOCP and control group were 17. The study was analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test using the Statistical Analysis System package. The EOCP participants presented statistically significant increases in the degree of forward trunk flexion, but only the percentage of the body fat showed differences within the EOCP group. The EOCP improved flexibility in obese women, and can be used in local obesity-control programs.