Sohyune R. Sok

Competency and an active learning program in undergraduate nursing education

AIMS To evaluate the effect of an active learning program on competency of senior students. BACKGROUND Active learning strategies have been used to help students achieve desired nursing competency, but their effectiveness has not been systematically examined. DESIGN A descriptive, cross-sectional comparative design was used. Two cohort group comparisons using t-test were made: one in an active learning group and the other in a traditional learning group. METHODS A total of 147 senior nursing students near graduation participated in this study: 73 in 2010 and 74 in 2013. The active learning program incorporated high-fidelity simulation, situation-based case studies, standardized patients, audio-video playback, reflective activities and technology such as a SmartPad-based program. RESULTS The overall scores of the nursing competency in the active group were significantly higher than those in the traditional group. Of five overall subdomains, the scores of the special and general clinical performance competency, critical thinking and human understanding were significantly higher in the active group than in the traditional group. Importance-performance analysis showed that all five subdomains of the active group clustered in the high importance and high performance quadrant, indicating significantly better achievements. In contrast, the students in the traditional group showed scattered patterns in three quadrants, excluding the low importance and low performance quadrants. This pattern indicates that the traditional learning method did not yield the high performance in most important areas. CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest that an active learning strategy is useful for helping undergraduate students to gain competency.

Effects of Meridian acupressure for stroke patients in Korea

AIM To examine the effects of Meridian acupressure on the functions of affected upper extremities, activity of daily living and depression for stroke patients. BACKGROUND The handicaps of stroke patients necessitate multidisciplinary rehabilitation, which is aimed at decreasing the consequences of the illness in daily functions. In traditional Chinese medicine, Meridian acupressure has been used for rehabilitation of affected upper extremities of hemiplegia stroke patients in clinical practice. DESIGN Randomised clinical trial. METHOD Sample was 56 consecutive stroke patients in K Oriental hospital. Meridian acupressure was applied every day for 10 min per time in the experimental group (28 subjects) for two weeks. Routine care only was applied in the control group (28 subjects). Measures were a hand dynamometer for grip power, a 15-point graphic rating scale for pain, the distance round the index finger for oedema, electrogoniometry for the passive ROM of the upper extremities, the activity of daily living scale for activity of daily living and the six-face rating scale for depression. Data were collected from March 2003-September 2004. RESULTS There were significant differences in functions of affected upper extremities, activity of daily living and depression between experimental and control group. CONCLUSIONS Meridian acupressure was an effective intervention for improving the movement of the affected upper extremities, increasing activity of daily living and decreasing depression of hemiplegia stroke patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Health professionals need to consider an array of methods including Meridian acupressure for the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Meridian acupressure has the potential as an alternative nursing intervention for multidisciplinary rehabilitation of stroke patients in practice.

Factors influencing the successful aging of older Korean adults

Background: The study trend has been undergoing a change, increasingly focusing on successful aging factors for obtaining a healthy and happy life in old age and in an aging society. This study examined and identified the factors influencing the degree of successful aging among older Korean adults. This study was a cross-sectional design. The participants comprised of 305 Korean older people aged 60 years or over, who met eligibility criteria. Measures: Measures were a general characteristics form, the self-liking/self-competence scale-revised version (SLCS-R) form, the self-efficacy scale, the interpersonal relationship scale, the self-achievement instrument, and the successful aging scale. Results: The analyses showed that the prediction model for successful aging among older Korean adults was significant (F = 159.09, p < 0.001). The value of the adjusted R2 was 0.692, which corresponds to the explanatory power of 69.2%. The factor that was found to have the most influence on successful aging among older Korean adults was self-esteem (â = 0.38), followed by self-achievement (â = 0.25), interpersonal relationships (â = 0.22), and self-efficacy (â = 0.21). Conclusions: This cross-sectional study provides preliminary evidence that self-esteem is a major and primary predictor of successful aging among older Korean adults. In the nursing practice, health professionals can use the results of this study in order to help older Korean adults obtain a positive outlook, promote a sense of self-worth, and achieve a higher degree of adaptability towards aging despite the health problems and personal issues associated with older age by providing intervention programs that advocate successful aging.

A comparison of physical health status, self-esteem, family support and health-promoting behaviours between aged living alone and living with family in Korea

AIMS This study examined and compared the physical health status, self-esteem, family support and health-promoting behaviours between aged living alone and the aged living with family. BACKGROUND As the Korean population ages, the number of older people living alone is steadily rising. Previous studies have been conducted to define the factors affecting the health of older people. However, research studies focused on the impact of family support, which potentially affects the overall health of older people, have been rarely conducted. DESIGN This was a comparative descriptive design. METHODS The survey included a set of four questionnaires. All measures were self-administered. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics were used to analyse the demographic characteristics. The Chi-square test and independent t-test were used to examine the differences between the aged living alone and the aged living with family. RESULTS The physical health status (t=-40·85, p<0·001), self-esteem (t=-26·75, p<0·001), family support (t=-16·46, p<0·001) and health-promoting behaviours, specifically exercise (t=-15·86, p<0·001) and nutrition (t=-17·29, p<0·001), of the aged living with family were higher than that of the aged living alone. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the aged living with family exhibited better physical health status, self-esteem and health-promoting behaviours than the aged living alone. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Clinical practice should be focused on emotional support with family or society for Korean aged, especially the aged living alone. Also, the practice should be adjusted to encourage the health-promoting behaviour for them as well.

Relationships among the perceived health status, family support and life satisfaction of older Korean adults

The objective of this study was to examine the perceived health status, family support and life satisfaction of older Korean adults and the relationships among them. This study was designed to be a descriptive correlation study using questionnaire. Subjects were 246 older people who were over 65 years of age in Seoul and Daegu metropolitan city, Korea. Measures were the Cornell Medical Index-Simple Korean Form to measure the perceived health status, the Family Support Instrument to measure the family support and the Standard Life Satisfaction Instrument for Korean people to measure the life satisfaction. Perceived health state was worse as average 3.3, family support was good as average 3.4 and life satisfaction was low as average 3.1. There were statistically significant positive correlations among perceived health state, family support and life satisfaction and between family support and life satisfaction. The predictors of life satisfaction in elderly were family support, age, monthly allowance and perceived health state. These factors explained 37.5% of the total variance. The major influencing factor was family support. This cross-sectional study provides preliminary evidence that to develop nursing strategy to increase family support of older Korean adults is needed.The objective of this study was to examine the perceived health status, family support and life satisfaction of older Korean adults and the relationships among them. This study was designed to be a descriptive correlation study using questionnaire. Subjects were 246 older people who were over 65 years of age in Seoul and Daegu metropolitan city, Korea. Measures were the Cornell Medical Index-Simple Korean Form to measure the perceived health status, the Family Support Instrument to measure the family support and the Standard Life Satisfaction Instrument for Korean people to measure the life satisfaction. Perceived health state was worse as average 3.3, family support was good as average 3.4 and life satisfaction was low as average 3.1. There were statistically significant positive correlations among perceived health state, family support and life satisfaction and between family support and life satisfaction. The predictors of life satisfaction in elderly were family support, age, monthly allowance and perceived health state. These factors explained 37.5% of the total variance. The major influencing factor was family support. This cross-sectional study provides preliminary evidence that to develop nursing strategy to increase family support of older Korean adults is needed.

Development of a Multimedia Learning DM Diet Education Program using Standardized Patients and Analysis of Its Effects on Clinical Competency and Learning Satisfaction for Nursing Students

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop a multimedia learning program for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) diet education using standardized patients and to examine the effects of the program on educational skills, communication skills, DM diet knowledge and learning satisfaction. METHODS The study employed a randomized control posttest non-synchronized design. The participants were 108 third year nursing students (52 experimental group, 56 control group) at K university in Seoul, Korea. The experimental group had regular lectures and the multimedia learning program for DM diet education using standardized patients while the control group had regular lectures only. The DM educational skills were measured by trained research assistants. RESULTS The students who received the multimedia learning program scored higher for DM diet educational skills, communication skills and DM diet knowledge compared to the control group. Learning satisfaction of the experimental group was higher than the control group, but statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION Clinical competency was improved for students receiving the multimedia learning program for DM diet education using standardized patients, but there was no statistically significant effect on learning satisfaction. In the nursing education system there is a need to develop and apply more multimedia materials for education and to use standardized patients effectively.

Applied Case and Development of m-Learning Class: Based on a Clinical Practice Class in the College of Nursing Science

Purpose: This study focused on two aspects: 1) how to design and implement a mobile learning course which is facilitated by a PDA with a web-based class homepage as a tool for mobile learning; 2) how to increase and enhance interactive activities among and between the students and the faculty members by utilizing a PDA as a tool for communication as well as collaboration. Method: To analyze the results of the m-Learning course, data was collected from interviews with the involved two faculty members and a survey from 27 students. Result: The results showed a positive outcome of the m-Learning approach in terms of a more collaborative learning environment in a clinical course where the students practice their clinical activities out of the classroom, far from their faculty members. On the other hand, the problems of the m-Learning approach were that more thorough preparation was needed for the new tools from both the students and the faculty members in preparation in social, cultural, and mental aspects, not withstanding the assumed technical limits of a PDA. Conclusion: m-Learning must be more actively implemented in classes, even though several problems were noticed in terms of both technical aspects of the tools, and social and cultural aspects from the users.

Factors influencing sleep of elderly women

PURPOSE The study was done to identify factors influencing the sleep of elderly women. METHODS Data were collected by questionnaires from 203 elderly women in Seoul and Gyeong-gi province. Measures were physical health state, family support, life satisfaction, sleep, depression, and quality of life. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 13.0 version. RESULTS The mean score for sleep for elderly women was 39.04. Sleep for elderly women according to religion, education level, spouses, and monthly income showed significant differences. Sleep for elderly women showed significantly positive correlations to physical health state, family support, life satisfaction, and quality of life. The significant factors influencing sleep of elderly women were physical health state, family support, depression, and quality of life, which explained about 70.4% of the variance. The strongest factors influencing the sleep was physical health state. CONCLUSION The results suggest that in developing nursing interventions and practice for sleep pattern of elderly women spouses and family support should be considered.

Factors Influencing the Dysmenorrhea among Korean Adolescents in Middle School

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the factors influencing dysmenorrhea among Korean middle school adolescents. [Subjects] The subjects included 572 female students in three different middle schools located in Seoul, South Korea. [Methods] A cross-sectional design was adopted. The measurement tools used included a demographic form and revised Menstrual distress Questionnaire (MDQ). [Results] The analyses showed that the prediction model was significant. The value of the adjusted R2 was 0.282, which corresponds to an explanatory power of 28.2%. The factor found to have the most influence on dysmenorrhea among Korean middle school adolescents was stress, followed by health status, onset of dysmenorrhea, consecutive days of menstruation, and dietary habits. [Conclusion] Nursing intervention programs for alleviating dysmenorrhea in Korean middle school adolescents are essential in order to reduce their level of stress, improve their perceived health status, and help them to maintain regular dietary habits. Reflecting on the recent trend of female students menstruating at a younger age, public health education courses and counseling programs should offer customized methods for alleviating dysmenorrhea.

Factors influencing the life satisfaction in the older Korean women living alone

Abstract Background: The population of Korea is aging rapidly. The older population varies in characteristics in accordance with a wide-range of circumstances; therefore, categorizing the overall older population as a homogeneous group, could misrepresent their issues. For that reason, the study of older people should be focused on the diversity of characteristics among the older population. The aims of this study were to examine and identify the factors related to life satisfaction in older Korean women living alone. This study was a cross-sectional survey design. The participants comprised of 243 older women over the age of 65, who met eligibility criteria. Measures: Measures were a demographic characteristics form, the Health Self-Rating Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Korean Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form, and the Life Satisfaction Instrument. Results: Degrees of the perceived health status, self-esteem, and depression were higher than the median. Life satisfaction was lower than the median. Predictors that determine life satisfaction in older Korean women living alone were depression, perceived health status, self-esteem, and monthly allowance. All these predictors, or factors, had an explanatory power of 48.2% for life satisfaction among older Korean women living alone. Of all these predictor factors, depression had the largest impact. Conclusions: The major factor influencing the life satisfaction in older Korean women living alone was depression. These findings suggest that there is a need to develop nursing strategies aimed at decreasing depression in order to increase life satisfaction in older women living alone.