Young Eun

Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs among Older Korean American Women

Korean American womens breast cancer screening rates are low, and the rates among older Korean American women are even lower.This article describes health beliefs related to older Korean American womens screening behaviors, comparing them to beliefs of younger Korean American women. The 73 women age 65 and older had significantly dif-ferent health beliefs than the 114 women between ages 40 and 64. Further, older womens perceptions of the seriousness of the disease and benefits of and barriers to taking action to prevent the disease predated their screening behaviors. Interventions to change the health beliefs of older Korean American women are suggested.

Effects of an Elder Health Promotion Program using the Strategy of Elder Health Leader Training in Senior Citizen Halls

PURPOSE This study was conducted to develop and test the effects of an elder health promotion program and apply strategies for elder health leader training sessions with elders at senior citizen halls. METHODS A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 49 elders at a senior citizen hall (intervention: 27, control: 22). The elder health promotion program consisted of health education and exercise. A professional leader led the program for 4 weeks, and then an elder health leader and research assistant led for 8 weeks (total 12 weeks). Scales for elder health promoting behaviors, perceived health status, life satisfaction and senior citizen hall capability were used and physical fitness levels were measured. Data were collected between April 21 and July 28, 2010 and analyzed using Chi-square, Fishers exact test, t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS Health promoting behaviors, physical fitness, perceived health status, and senior citizen hall capacity were significantly better in the experimental group after the intervention compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Study findings indicate that elder health promotion programs applying strategies of elder health leader training are effective and can be recommended as nursing interventions for health promotion of these elders.

Prerequisite for Korean Advance Directives: From the View of Healthcare Providers

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore the main prerequisite for Korean Advance Directives [KAD] to ensure their better use. METHODS Data were collected from two focus group interviews and individual email responses. Study participants were 5 doctors and 6 nurses. All interview data were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Three main themes emerged; establishing a philosophy of KAD, protocol to practice KAD, and the KAD document itself. A philosophy is needed to ensure individual needs, consensus to practice AD and identify principle agents. The core of protocol was found to be as follows; 1) process, 2) premise, 3) procedure, 4) contextual preparation, 5) timing, 6) feasibility. Component and feasibility need to be established for the document itself. CONCLUSION For a positive acceptance of KAD in Korean society, a culture sensitive, reality based, and user friendly AD needs to be developed.

Development and Effectiveness of a Spiritual Care Education Program for Nursing Students - Based on the ASSET Model

PURPOSE This study was done to develop a spiritual care education program (SCEP) for nursing students to help increase their awareness of the essence of spirituality in care so as to enable them to promote spiritual well-being and spiritual care competence. METHODS The participants were assigned to an experimental group (n=42) or a control group (n=39). From August to October 2009, the experimental group participated in the SCEP, which were held 2 hours a week for 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using χ²-test, Fishers exact probability test, paired t-test, t-test with the SPSS WIN 17.0 statistics program. RESULTS The experimental group had a higher mean score for spirituality, spiritual well-being and spiritual care competence than the control group. Significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that the SCEP was effective in improving spirituality, spiritual well-being and spiritual care competence for nursing students.

Age-Related Differences in Health Beliefs Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Among Korean American Women

Cervical cancer screening rates among older Korean American (KA) women are much lower than the rates for younger KA women, even though the overall cancer screening rates in the population continue to have one of the lowest Papanicolaou (Pap) test adherence rates compared with non-Hispanic White women. Variables based on the Health Belief Model related to cervical cancer screening were compared by age group among KA women. A telephone survey was conducted with 189 KA women living in the midwestern United States. Perceived barriers to having a Pap test predicted the outcome variable of having had Pap tests in the preceding 3 years in older KA women who were 65 or older, but not in younger women who were between 40 and 64 years old. Having physical examinations without symptoms in the preceding 2 years predicted the outcome variable in both age groups. Intervention strategies for all KA women should focus on encouraging them to receive routine physical examinations. In addition, attempts should be made to reduce perception of barriers in older KA women to improve their cervical cancer screening behaviors.

Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients and Their Family Members Regarding End-of-Life Experiences Focusing on Palliative Sedation

CONTEXT Patients with terminal cancer experience refractory symptoms in the last days of life. Although palliative sedation (PS) is recommended for patients suffering unbearable symptoms with imminent death, it requires clear communication between physicians and patients/caregivers. Understanding the demands and perceptions of patients and caregivers in the end-of-life phase are needed for effective communication. OBJECTIVE To explore patient experiences regarding end-of-life status and PS. METHODS The study was performed between October and December, 2013 with eligible terminal cancer patients and their families in a non-religious, tertiary healthcare facility in Korea. Eligibility criteria were a hospitalized cancer patient with a life expectancy of less than three months and who had never experienced PS. Data were collected via face-to-face in-depth interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method of qualitative analysis. Saturation was achieved after conducting interviews with 13 patients or care-giving family members. RESULTS Enrolled patients raised the following issues: 1) simultaneously harboring the hope of prolonging life and wishing for a peaceful death, 2) experiencing difficulties in having honest conversations with caregivers regarding death, 3) possessing insufficient knowledge and information regarding PS, and 4) hoping for the decision on PS to be made before suffering becomes too great. CONCLUSION Terminally ill cancer patients and their caregivers expressed conflicting desires in hoping to prolong life and simultaneously wishing to experience a peaceful death. Improvements in the communications that occur among physicians, patients, and caregivers on the issues of prognosis and PS are needed.