Practice In South Korea Research Articles

Navigating Ruling Relations in Institutional Ethnographic Fieldwork

Based on year-long fieldwork on activist-educators’ work in South Korea, I reflect on how my research complicates the ontological shift in institutional ethnography: that is, the shift that emphasizes how ruling relations are coordinated through the very actions of people. I discuss two facets of reflective pauses. First, I discuss how the ruling relations of research practice in South Korea render the ontological shift “slippery.” I argue for a need to understand the ontological shift in relation to external contexts of research instead of an individualized approach. Second, I detail the process of a comparative research design looking at activist-educators with differing levels of engagement with the Korean state. I highlight how a transitional void that emerged after democratization prompted different activist strategies. I call for a need to reconsider the connection between activists’ work and institutional ethnography, where investigating activists’ work provides a lens into the ruling relations.

Effectiveness of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate aerosol foam in patients with small versus large plaque psoriasis in routine practice in South Korea.

Small plaque psoriasis is the typical form of chronic plaque psoriasis affecting adults in South Korea. The effectiveness of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) aerosol foam for large and small psoriasis plaques has not previously been examined. We performed a post hoc analysis of a recent, 4-week observational study of Cal/BD aerosol foam use in routine clinical practice in South Korea. Investigator Global Assessment response ([IGA] 0/1 at week 4), Patient Global Assessment response ([PaGA] 0/1 at week 4), change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), changes in psoriasis symptom scores, change in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the proportion of patients achieving DLQI ≤5 were analyzed for patients with small (≤5 cm; n = 131) or large (>5 cm; n = 35) baseline plaque size. IGA response rates were similar for patients with small and large plaques (59.5% and 51.4% respectively). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the small and large groups in mean change in PASI (-2.20 vs -3.34), the proportions of patients with DLQI ≤5 (62.3% vs 54.3%) or PaGA 0/1 (29.2% vs 40.0%). Mean improvements in DLQI (-4.04 vs -6.20) and in psoriasis symptoms including itching (-1.50 vs -2.83), sleep loss (-0.67 vs -1.89), dryness (-1.57 vs -2.97), scaling (-1.21 vs -3.57), and redness (-1.17 vs -3.11) were greater in patients with large plaques than those with small plaques. Itching and DLQI differences were not statistically significant after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Stratification by body surface area affected eliminated statistically significant differences between the groups for most outcomes. In conclusion, this analysis suggests that Cal/BD aerosol foam is an effective, well-accepted treatment for adult patients with the small plaques typical of chronic plaque psoriasis in South Korea, as well as for those with large plaques.

대학 학생성공 해외 연구동향 분석: 상세 서지정보 분석

The purpose of this study was to examine international research trends with respect to student success in the field of higher education. In order to address the study’s purpose, we collected scholarly articles that addressed issues and topics concerning student success published between 1974 and 2023. This study employed bibliometric analysis targeted towards bibliometric information of a total of 615 articles housed in SSCI- and Scopus-indexed journals. The information was extracted from the Web of Science, a web database powered by Clarivate Analytics. For data analysis, we utilized the bibliometrix package in RStudio. The study’s findings show that the quantity of articles on student success has increased since the late 2000s, especially surging since the mid-2010s. The majority of these investigations were conducted in Western countries, predominantly the United States, and international collaboration was scarce. Through the frequency analysis of co-citation data, author, and key terms, it was revealed that the foundational underpinnings of student success have been rooted in the concepts of student retention and student engagement. According to the results of keyword co-occurrence network analysis, we categorized sub-themes into five clusters: (a) teaching and learning assessments within online environments, (b) institutional support and empirical approaches for student retention, (c) psychological and emotional aspects responding to student crisis, (d) student engagement and experience-based student-oriented perspectives, and (e) associations with adult education and career development in community colleges. Finally, the study’s findings from thematic analysis demonstrate that research on student success has emerged based on inter- and intra-collaborations within and across various domains of studies. Based on the findings, academic and practical implications are suggested for research and practice in South Korea’s higher education context.

Nursing students' rights in clinical practice in South Korea: a hybrid concept-analysis study

Purpose: This study aimed to derive a conceptual definition and attributes for nursing students' rights in clinical practice in South Korea.Methods: This concept-analysis study was conducted at a nursing school in South Korea. The participants were recruited using purposive sampling. The inclusion criteria were being a fourth-year nursing student and having two or more semesters of practical experience. The hybrid model used in this study had three stages. First, 12 studies were reviewed during the theoretical stage. Second, 10 in-depth interviews were conducted during the fieldwork stage. Third, in the analytical stage, the concept of nursing students' rights related to clinical practice was defined and the attributes were derived.Results: The analysis established five attributes of nursing students' rights: the right to learn, the right to be protected from infections and accidents, the right to be cared for and supported, the right to be respected, and the right to be recognized as a member of a nursing team. A key theme that emerged from this study was having the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment.Conclusion: It is necessary to develop a measurement tool based on the above five attributes and to verify its effectiveness.

Post-Marketing Safety Surveillance of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (VaxigripTetra) in Children Aged 6 to 35Months in South Korea.

The quadrivalent inactivated split-virion influenza vaccine (QIV; VaxigripTetra®) was initially licensed in South Korea in 2017 for immunization against seasonal influenza in those aged ≥ 3years, with the indicated age subsequently lowered to include those aged ≥ 6months in 2018. Here, to comply with South Korean licensure requirements, we undertook a post-marketing surveillance study to assess the safety of QIV in children aged 6-35months (i.e., extension of the previous age indication to include these young children) in routine clinical practice. A multicenter, observational, active safety surveillance of children aged 6-35months who received a single dose of QIV during a routine healthcare visit was undertaken in South Korea from 15June 2018 to 14June 2022. Solicited adverse events (AEs) and unsolicited non-serious AEs were recorded in diary cards, with serious adverse events (SAEs) notified to study investigators. This safety analysis included 676 participants. No AEs led to study termination, and no SAEs were reported. The most frequent solicited injection site reaction was pain in both the ≤ 23-month (12.2% [55/450]) and ≥ 24-month (15.5% [35/226]) age groups. The most frequent solicited systemic reactions were pyrexia and somnolence in the ≤ 23-month age group (6.0% [27/450] each), and malaise (10.6% [24/226]) in the ≥ 24-month age group. Overall, 208 (30.8%) participants experienced 339 unsolicited non-serious AEs, with nasopharyngitis the most common (14.1% [95/676]), and nearly all events (98.8% [335/339]) were considered unrelated to QIV. Grade3 solicited reactions and unsolicited non-serious AEs were reported in five (0.7%) and three (0.4%) participants, respectively, all of whom recovered by day7 after vaccination. This active safety surveillance study confirms that QIV is well tolerated in children aged 6-35months in routine clinical practice in South Korea. There were no safety concerns observed in these young children.

Fluoroscopic Analysis of Cannula Tip Location During Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of the Trigeminal Ganglion

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is the most common excruciating cranial neuralgia in the elderly population. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) of the trigeminal ganglion is an alternative treatment for medically intractable patients with TN. RFT cannula tip position is an important issue since it is related to treatment outcome and patient safety. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fluoroscopic position of a cannula tip when a maximal stimulation-induced paresthesia was obtained and the treatment outcome using a Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain scale. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: An interventional pain management practice in South Korea. METHODS: The final cannula tip position obtained under maximal electrical stimulation of the face was analyzed using previously saved fluoroscopic images. RESULTS: The cannula tip was located exactly in the clival line in 10 patients (29.4%) with maxillary division (V2) TN. There were 24 patients of V2 TN (70.5% ) in whom the cannula tip was located below the clival line. Over 50% of cannula tips were located at -11 mm to -15 mm below the clival line in mandibular division (V3) TN. Forty-four patients (83%) who received RFT in the trigeminal ganglion demonstrated BNI I or II. LIMITATIONS: The number of patients with V3 TN was smaller than that of V2 TN. Only short-term efficacy was evaluated, but not long-term efficacy or recurrence rate of facial pain. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 70% of patients in V2 TN and all patients in V3 TN, the cannula tip was positioned below the clival line. RFT of the trigeminal ganglion showed a successful treatment outcome with BNI I or II in 83% of patients. KEY WORDS: Cannula tip, clival line, fluoroscopic position, pain scale, stimulation-induced paresthesia, radiofrequency

Insights from Social Media into Literacy Practice and Intergenerational Communication in Korea: Recent Cases of Illiteracy

Literacy has recently become a hot topic. Recent cases on social/news media in South Korea include simsimhan sakwa (sincere apology) and sahul (three days). To discuss literacy issues and provide feasible solutions, this study explores the insights from social media into literacy practice in South Korea with reference to recent cases of illiteracy. Based on the concepts of New Literacy Studies, Bakhtin’s dialogism, Bourdieu’s capital, and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, this study concludes that no case is directly applicable to social media literacy since the fundamental problems did not result from any personalized content or different perceptions of reality. However, cases on YouTube including chosengchey and yamincengum are consistent with social media literacy. The problems can be partially solved by emphasizing Sino-Korean morphemes and by raising students’ vocabulary level in any subject matter. More importantly, intergenerational problems in communication should be resolved through efforts to better understand each other. Without awareness, tolerance, appreciation, and appropriateness in literacy practices, the intergenerational gap in communication will not be eliminated; communication between generations is at the heart of the problem.

Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Feature in Trigeminal Neuralgia

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is usually established using characteristic clinical features such as sudden, severe, and unilateral facial pain. Studies about diverse clinical features and epidemiologic data of TN have been reported previously; however, most of the previous studies have evaluated in and focused on Caucasian and Western populations. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate diverse clinical features, currently applied types of treatment, and brain imaging studies in patients with TN in a Korean population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: An interventional pain management practice in South Korea. METHODS: Patients with a primary diagnosis of TN were identified using Clinical Data Warehouse v 2.5 (CDW, Planit Healthcare, Seoul, Korea) using the key words “trigeminal neuralgia and G50.0 (International classification of disease 10 code).” RESULTS: TN occurred predominantly between the fifth and seventh decades of life, with female predominance. The V3 division and unilateral right-side involvement were the most common affected region. An electric shock like sensation and the intraoral side (teeth and gingiva) were the most common pain description and location, respectively. Normal brain imaging studies and vascular compression on the trigeminal nerve were observed in 92 (64.7%) and 36 (25%) patients, respectively. The superior cerebellar artery was the most common offending vessel (19;13.3%). Monotherapy with carbamazepine alone was the most common (91;37.7%), whereas radiofrequency thermoablation was the most common invasive treatment. LIMITATIONS: The results of this study were based on data on TN patients from a single center. The generalizability of the findings to the Korean population is thus limited. CONCLUSION: There is little difference between Korean and other Asian patients with TN in their demographic and clinical characteristics. KEY WORDS: Brain imaging, clinical feature, electric shock-like sensation, intraoral side, trigeminal neuralgia, vascular compression

Interactive Direct Interhospital Transfer Network System for Acute Stroke in South Korea.

Interhospital transfer is an essential practical component of regional stroke care systems. To establish an effective stroke transfer network in South Korea, an interactive transfer system was constructed, and its workflow metrics were observed. In March 2019, a direct transfer system between primary stroke hospitals (PSHs) and comprehensive regional stroke centers (CSCs) was established to standardize the clinical pathway of imaging, recanalization therapy, transfer decisions, and exclusive transfer linkage systems in the two types of centers. In an active case, the time metrics from arrival at PSH ("door") to imaging was measured, and intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular treatment (EVT) were used to assess the differences in clinical situations. The direct transfer system was used by 27 patients. They stayed at the PSH for a median duration of 72 min (interquartile range [IQR], 38-114 min), with a median times of 15 and 58 min for imaging and subsequent processing, respectively. The door-to-needle median times of subjects treated with IVT at PSHs (n=5) and CSCs (n=2) were 21 min (IQR, 20.0-22.0 min) and 137.5 min (IQR, 125.3-149.8 min), respectively. EVT was performed on seven subjects (25.9%) at CSCs, which took a median duration of 175 min; 77 min at the PSH, 48 min for transportation, and 50 min at the CSC. Before EVT, bridging IVT at the PSH did not significantly affect the door-to-puncture time (127 min vs. 143.5 min, p=0.86). The direct and interactive transfer system is feasible in real-world practice in South Korea and presents merits in reducing the treatment delay by sharing information during transfer.

Post-Marketing Safety Surveillance of a Childhood Pentavalent Diphtheria-Tetanus-Acellular Pertussis-Polio and Haemophilus influenzae TypeB (DTaP-IPV//Hib) Vaccine in South Korea.

PENTAXIM™ (Sanofi), DTaP-IPV//Hib, a pentavalent combination vaccine for protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae typeb, has been licensed in South Korea by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) on May9, 2016, and is currently used in routine vaccination. The aim of this phaseIV study, conducted as a post-licensure commitment in South Korea, was to evaluate the safety of the DTaP-IPV//Hib vaccine when administered in infants at 2, 4, and 6months of age in the real-world clinical practice. This multicenter, observational, post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study was conducted in real-world practice in South Korea. Infants aged 2months or older were enrolled across seven centers from July31, 2018 to February11, 2020. The study outcomes included occurrence, time to onset, duration, intensity, and causality assessment (for unsolicited adverse events [AEs] only) for several pre-listed solicited injection-site and systemic reactions, unsolicited AEs, and serious adverse events (SAEs). Data from 619 participants were included in the safety analysis. Overall, 618 AEs were reported by 273 (44.1%) participants consisting of 121 solicited injection-site reactions (15.4%), 344 solicited systemic reactions (24.6%), and 153 unsolicited AEs (15.7%) of which, 124 were unexpected AEs (12.9%) (regardless of intensity). None of the unsolicited AEs were reported to have a causal relationship with the study vaccine. One SAE of pyrexia (solicited reaction) was reported. Most AEs were of mild intensity, and all participants recovered. This PMS study of the DTaP-IPV//Hib vaccine confirmed its safety profile in a real-life setting in South Korea and justified that the vaccine is well tolerated when used in infants aged 2months or older for the primary series.

한국 장애인 평생교육 정책의 발전과정에 관한 연구

The aim of this study is to analyze lifelong education policy for persons with disabilities in South Korea in a historical point of view, make comparisons with value and support systems related to lifelong education for persons with disabilities in foreign countries and ultimately seek ways to promote lifelong education policy for persons with disabilities in South Korea. In order to perform this study, a wide variety of data such as official documents issued by the government and local governments, relevant provisions, publications, press releases, journals and papers issued by relevant organizations were collected and put into use for in-depth analysis. In theoretical background, the author assessed lifelong education support systems and its values for persons with disabilities in the United States, Australia and Japan. By dividing up the domestic lifelong education policy developments into the age of absence (~1998), introduction (1999-2007), enlargement (2008-2015) and progress (2016 until present) mainly based on dramatic shift periods, the author closely analyzed the domestic lifelong education policy and practice in South Korea by the defined individual period. What has been discussed on the path forward for the domestic lifelong education policy for persons with disabilities is that, it is necessary to create an environment where persons with disabilities are freely allowed to make use of ordinary lifelong education organizations. Also, it is important to make shifts to developing, distributing lifelong education programs not operated by the government, but by relevant local organizations. Lastly, reducing multiple institutions into a single governmental body tasked with lifelong education for persons with disabilities and expansion of integrated lifelong education programs are required.

Post-marketing Surveillance of a Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (VaxigripTetra) in South Korea.

IntroductionIn 2017, a quadrivalent inactivated split-virion influenza vaccine (QIV; Vaxigrip Tetra®, Sanofi) was licensed in South Korea for active immunization against influenza A and influenza B viruses in individuals aged 3 years or older, which was subsequently extended to individuals aged 6 months or older in 2018. Post-marketing surveillance trials are mandatory in South Korea to retain drug licensure. Here, we assessed the safety of QIV in routine clinical practice in South Korea.MethodsThis was an open, multicenter, observational, active safety surveillance study conducted between 20 June 2017 and 19 June 2021 at 10 study sites in South Korea in individuals aged 3 years or older who received a single dose of QIV during a routine healthcare visit. The participants or their legally acceptable representatives were instructed to record any adverse reactions (solicited events) and unsolicited non-serious adverse events (AE) in diary cards, and notify study investigators in case of serious adverse events (SAE).ResultsOverall, 663 participants were included in this study. There were no AEs leading to study termination, and no SAEs reported. Injection site pain (278 [41.9%]) was the most frequent solicited injection site reaction, with myalgia (250 [37.7%]) and malaise (236 [35.6%]) the most frequent solicited systemic reactions. Grade 3 solicited injection site and systemic reactions were reported by 8 (1.2%) and 13 (2.0%) participants, respectively; most participants with solicited reactions recovered without the need for further action. Overall, 39 (5.9%) participants experienced 49 unsolicited non-serious AEs with the most frequently reported being nasopharyngitis (19 [2.9%]). Grade 3 unsolicited non-serious adverse events were reported in 1 (0.2%) participant. None of the unsolicited non-serious AEs were considered to be related to QIV.ConclusionThis post-marketing surveillance study confirms that QIV is well tolerated and has an acceptable safety profile in routine practice in South Korea. No unexpected safety concerns were identified.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05406180.

Influence of Physical Therapist and Work Environment on Evidence-Based Practice in South Korea

Influence of Physical Therapist and Work Environment on Evidence-Based Practice in South Korea

Post-Marketing Surveillance of Tetravalent Diphtheria-Tetanus-Acellular Pertussis and Inactivated Poliovirus (DTaP-IPV) Vaccine in South Korea, 2009 to 2015.

IntroductionTETRAXIM™ (Sanofi), a combined diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and inactivated poliovirus (DTaP-IPV) vaccine, has been licensed in South Korea since 2009. In accordance with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regulations, this post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study evaluated the safety of the DTaP-IPV vaccine in real-world clinical practice in infants and children who received it as either a part of the three-dose primary series dose at 2, 4, and 6 months or school entry booster between 4 and 6 years of age.MethodsThis multicenter, observational, PMS study was conducted in real-world practice in South Korea for 6 years (2009–2015) in participants aged between 2 months and 6 years. The study outcomes included solicited reactions, unsolicited adverse events (AEs)/adverse drug reactions (ADRs), unexpected AEs/ADRs, and serious AEs (SAEs)/ADRs.ResultsData from 647 participants was included in the safety analysis. Overall, 268 AEs were reported by 181 (28%) participants: 47 (17.5%) solicited reactions, 220 (82.1%) unsolicited AEs, and 1 (0.4%) unsolicited ADR. A total of 48 AEs (including 47 solicited reactions) were reported to have a causal relationship with the DTaP-IPV vaccine and were reported by 36 (5.6%) participants. A total of 212 unexpected AEs were reported by 152 (23.5%) participants, none of which had a causal relationship with the DTaP-IPV vaccine. Neither immediate AEs nor SAEs were reported during the study. Among the participants who reported AEs, 220 (34%) were on concomitant medications. Most AEs were of mild intensity, and all participants recovered.ConclusionNo safety concerns related to the DTaP-IPV vaccine in a real-world setting were raised in participants aged 2–6 months for the primary series and 4–6 years for the school-entry booster dose in the Korean population. The DTaP-IPV vaccine was well tolerated and can be continued as part of routine immunization programs in infants and children.Trial Registration: NCT01437423.

Free combination of dutasteride plus tamsulosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in South Korea: analysis of drug utilization and adverse events using the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database

ObjectiveTo assess the use and safety of free combination therapy (dutasteride and tamsulosin), dutasteride monotherapy, or tamsulosin monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).MethodsThis non-interventional retrospective cohort study used claims data from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment-National Patient Sample database. Patients with BPH ≥ 40 years of age receiving combination therapy (dutasteride 0.5 mg and tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily) or dutasteride 0.5 mg, or tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily dose between 2012 and 2017 were included. The frequency, duration of treatment and risk of any adverse event (AE) or serious AE (SAE) was compared for combination therapy versus each monotherapy using non-inferiority testing.ResultsOf 14,755 eligible patients, 1529 (10.4%) received combination therapy, 6660 (45.1%) dutasteride monotherapy, and 6566 (44.5%) tamsulosin monotherapy. The proportion of patients treated with combination therapy exceeded the pre-specified 3% threshold for ‘frequent’ use. Safety results indicated a similar risk of any AE and SAE irrespective of treatment group. The adjusted relative risk for any AE over the treatment observation period comparing combination therapy with dutasteride monotherapy was 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 1.12), and with tamsulosin monotherapy was 0.98 (95% CI 0.95, 1.02) demonstrating non-inferiority. The adjusted relative risk for any SAE was 1.07 (95% CI 0.66, 1.74) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.56, 1.45), compared with dutasteride and tamsulosin monotherapy, respectively. Although the SAE results did not statistically demonstrate non-inferiority of combination therapy based on pre-specified margins, the 95% CI for the risk ratio estimates included the null with a lower limit below the non-inferiority margins, indicating no meaningful differences in SAE risk between groups. Absolute SAE risks were low.ConclusionCombination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin is frequently used in real-world practice in South Korea for treatment of BPH and demonstrates a safety profile similar to either monotherapy.

Structural Equation Model for Developing Person-Centered Care Competency among Senior Nursing Students.

Recent health care developments have emphasized person-centered care, which highlights individualized treatments rather than focusing solely on the nature of a given disease. Thus, we aim to identify the factors and construct a structural equation model for developing person-centered care competency among senior nursing students based on the social cognitive career theory and a subsequent literature review. We use a hypothetical model to examine the factors influencing person-centered care competency, and using a structured questionnaire, and we collect data on self-awareness, the clinical learning environment, clinical practicum adaptation, nursing professionalism, empathy, and person-centered care competency. The participants include 383 third- and fourth-year senior nursing students who had undergone at least one semester of clinical practice in South Korea. SPSS/WIN 26.0 is used to analyze all obtained data, while AMOS 25.0 is used for structural equation modeling. The final model is confirmed to be suitable for explaining and predicting person-centered care competency among participants. Nursing professionalism, empathy, clinical practicum adaptation, self-awareness, and the clinical learning environment explained 38.8% of the total variance among participants. Strategies and interventions designed to enhance person-centered care competency for senior nursing students should particularly focus on nursing professionalism, empathy, clinical practicum adaptation, self-awareness, and the clinical learning environment.

A nationwide survey of the perception of the APPE by community pharmacy preceptors in South Korea

BackgroundConsidering that approximately 75% of active pharmacists work in a community pharmacy globally, experiential practice in community pharmacies is a crucial part of pharmacy education. Skilled preceptors and their perceptions are integral to experiential practice. However, the perception of community pharmacy preceptors on a nationwide level is rarely studied. ObjectivesTo examine the perception of community pharmacy preceptors who had undertaken the newly implemented community pharmacy experiential practice in South Korea. MethodsThis study was based on a self-administered, nationwide, online cross-sectional survey performed by the Korean Pharmaceutical Association in 2017. Active community pharmacy preceptors undertaking experiential practice in South Korea were enrolled. The preceptor’s competence, satisfaction, stress, achievement, and the likelihood of continuing preceptorship were evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale. In addition, the determinants of perception were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. ResultsOf the 681 active preceptors, 390 (response rate: 57.3%) participated in this study, and the data of 385 participants were used for the final analysis. The majority of the preceptors were satisfied (83.1%), felt high achievement (85.8%), and were likely to continue with the preceptorship (85.7%). However, 52.8% reported increased stress due to the increased workload and lack of personal time. Preceptors who participated voluntarily had higher competence (odds ratio [OR] 2.050, 1.265–3.322) and exhibited lower stress (OR 0.560, 0.368–0.852). The academic degrees of preceptors and the number of preceptees trained by them were significantly related to competence. Preceptor age (>50 years) was negatively associated with stress (OR 0.635, 0.419–0.962). ConclusionBecause competence is a key element associated with community pharmacy preceptors, it is necessary to create an environment in which preceptors can consider themselves competent. This nationwide study with community pharmacy preceptors will provide a basis for improving the quality of training at community pharmacies and may aid experiential practice administrators in revising the current program.

Molecular diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii in culture negative endocarditis and vascular infection in South Korea

Background Q fever endocarditis is a major cause of culture-negative endocarditis. The role of Coxellia burnetii is underestimated because it is difficult to diagnose. We investigated the significance of C. burnetii as the cause of culture-negative endocarditis and vascular infection by examining blood and tissue specimens using serological testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods All patients with infective endocarditis or large vessel vasculitis were prospectively enrolled at a tertiary-care hospital from May 2016 through September 2020. Q fever endocarditis and vascular infection were diagnosed based on: (1) positive PCR for a cardiac valve or vascular tissue, (2) positive PCR for blood or phase I immunoglobulin G (IgG) ≥ 6400, or (3) phase I IgG ≥ 800 and < 6400 with morphologic abnormality. PCR targeted C. burnetii transposase gene insertion element IS1111a. Results Of the 163 patients, 40 (25%) had culture-negative endocarditis (n = 35) or vascular infection (n = 5). Of the 40 patients, 24 (60%) were enrolled. Eight (33%) were diagnosed with Q fever endocarditis or vascular infection. Of these 8 patients, 6 had suspected acute Q fever endocarditis or vascular infection with negative phase I IgG. Six patients were not treated for C. burnetii, 4 were stable after surgery. One patient died due to surgical site infection after 5 months post-operatively and one died due to worsening underlying disease. Conclusions Approximately one-third of patients with culture-negative endocarditis and vascular infection was diagnosed as Q fever. Q fever endocarditis and vascular infection may be underestimated in routine clinical practice in South Korea. KEY MESSAGE Q fever endocarditis and vascular infection may be underestimated in routine clinical practice, thus, try to find evidence of C. burnetti infection in suspected patients by all available diagnostic tests including PCR.

The Effect of Different Posture on Normal Saline Injection in Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia

BACKGROUND Thoracolumbar or caudal epidural anesthesia affects intracranial pressure (ICP) in both animals and humans. Epidural injection increases ICP at least transiently. Measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) using ultrasonography is one of the noninvasive methods for ICP assessment. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the different posture during epidural saline injection to the ONSD under awake conditions. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized trial. SETTING An interventional pain management practice in South Korea. METHODS This study included 44 patients receiving thoracic epidural catheterization for pain management after upper abdominal or thoracic surgery. Following successful epidural space confirmation, patients were randomized to receive epidural saline while supine (A group) or in sitting position (B group), respectively. Transorbital sonography was performed for the measurement of the ONSD, and the ONSD was measured at 3 mm posterior to the optic nerve head. RESULTS Both A and B groups showed significant increases of ONSD according to time. Mean ONSD values measured at T10, T20, and T40 significantly increased from the baseline value (T0) (*P < 0.05 vs. T0, †P < 0.001 vs. T0, ‡P < 0.005 vs. T0). The mean ONSD values measured at any of the time points and degrees of changes (T10-T0, T20-T0, and T40-T0) between groups A and B did not show any significant changes. LIMITATIONS Epidural pressure and ONSD measurement can make this study more reliable. Further study showing changes of epidural pressure with ONSD measurement is required. CONCLUSIONS Thoracic epidural injection of 10 mL of normal saline resulted in a significant increase of ONSD compared with the baseline. However, the different posture did not affect the increase of ONSD.

Birth Mothers and Transnational Adoption Practice in South Korea: Virtual Mothering

Book Review| October 01 2020 Birth Mothers and Transnational Adoption Practice in South Korea: Virtual Mothering Birth Mothers and Transnational Adoption Practice in South Korea: Virtual Mothering by Kim, Hosu. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. 245 pp. 2 illustrations. $29.00 (paperback) Shannon Bae Shannon Bae University of California–Irvine Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Journal of Korean Studies (2020) 25 (2): 455–460. https://doi.org/10.1215/07311613-8552084 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation Shannon Bae; Birth Mothers and Transnational Adoption Practice in South Korea: Virtual Mothering. Journal of Korean Studies 1 October 2020; 25 (2): 455–460. doi: https://doi.org/10.1215/07311613-8552084 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter Books & JournalsAll JournalsJournal of Korean Studies Search Advanced Search Research within adoption studies initially focused primarily on the practice of adoption and its outcomes. The scholars producing early adoption-related research, mostly within the disciplines of social work and psychology, were often adoption social workers or adoptive parents themselves. As a response to research that seemed to replicate power differentials across the “adoption constellation,” critical adoption scholars have instead produced scholarship that reveals the structural and social processes embedded in its practice. Using interdisciplinary approaches from feminist, postcolonial, geopolitical, biopolitical, critical race, and queer theory, critical adoption scholars have sought to complicate widely accepted notions of family, kinship, race, identity, humanitarianism, citizenship, and transnationalism. From within this emergent field of study, Hosu Kim’s book Birth Mothers and Transnational Adoption Practice in South Korea: Virtual Mothering importantly fills a glaring void. Although notable scholarship within... Copyright © 2020 by the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York2020 You do not currently have access to this content.