A Review of Community Health Nursing Research in Korea and Japan

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare similarities and differences in research trends for community health nursing between Korea and Japan. METHODS: Comparison was made in terms of research design, data collection and sampling method, and key concepts from community health nursing research by literature review. We analyzed original articles from representative Journals covering community health nursing research from 2004 to 2008. RESULTS: We found that research design was quite different between the two countries. Quantitative research design was dominant in Korea, while qualitative and qualitative research designs were used equally in Japan. In particular, outcome research was found only in Korean papers. CONCLUSION: Based on the comparison, the following recommendations are suggested related to the strengths and weaknesses of research concepts and methods observed in each country. It is suggested that future collaboration should be undertaken especially to improve the diversity of research design and method. More diverse research designs should be used in both countries. Particularly in today's aged society, evidence-based research and outcome research are needed for community health nursing in both countries.

Current Status of Costs and Utilizations of Hospital Based Home Health Nursing Care in Korea / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the current status of utilization and costs of home health nursing care by the levels of medical institutes in Korea. METHOD: A secondary analysis of existing data was used from the national electronic data information(EDI) of 148 home health agencies for 6 months from May to Oct 2005 in total. RESULT: The 148 agencies had multiple services in cerebral infaction, essential hypertension, sequela of cerebrovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, etc.. The highest 10 rankings of 76 categories of home health nursing services were composed of 96.4% of the total services, such as simple treatment, inflammatory treatment, urethra & bladder irrigation, inserting indwelling catheter etc., in that order. The highest 20 rankings of 226 categories of home examination services were composed of 77.0% of the total home examination services. In addition, the average cost of home health care per visit was 46,088 Won (approximately equal to 48 Dollars, 1 Dollar=960 Won). The costs ranged from 74,523 Won (approximately equal to 78 Dollars, loss of chronic kidney function, N18) to 32,270 Won (approximately equal to 34 Dollars, other cerebrovascular diseases, I67). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that client characteristics of hospital based HHNC are not different from community based HHNC or visiting nursing services for elderly. The national results will contribute to baseline data used to establish a policy for the home health nursing care system and education.

Test on the Cost and Development on the Payment System of Home Health Care Nursing / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study focused on analysing costs per home health care nursing visit based on home health care nursing activities in medical institutes. METHOD: The data was collected in three stages. First, the cost elements of home health care nursing services were collected and 31 home care nurses participated. Second, the workload and caseload of home care nursing activities were measured by the Easley-Storfjell Instrument(1997). Third, the opinions on improving the home health care nursing reimbursement system were collected by a nation-wide mailing survey from a total of 125 home care agencies. RESULT: The cost of home health care nursing per visit was calculated as 50,626 won. This was composed of a basic visiting fee of 35,090 won (about 35 dollars) and travel fee of 15,536 won (about 15 dollars). The major problems of the home care nursing payment system were the low level of the cost per visit, no distinction between first visit and revisits, and the limitations in health insurance coverage for home health care nursing services. CONCLUSION: This study's results will contribute as a baseline for establishing policies for improvement of the home health care nursing cost and for applying a community-based visiting nursing service cost.

Working Conditions in Home Health Care Nursing: A Survey of Home Care Nurses in Hospitals in Korea / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to address the working conditions of home health nurses through a nationwide home health agency survey conducted at hospitals. METHOD: The mail surveys were sent to 303 home health nurses nation wide and returned with a response rate of 71.8%. RESULT: (a) Seventy-five percent of home health agencies were established within the past5 years and half of home health nurses are over 40 years old. (b) Working conditions were considered as follows: Seventy-one percent of respondents were full-time employees, sixty-sixpercent of home health nurses had unscheduled visits on a regular day of duty and forty-eight percent were on vacation. Fifty-one percent of home health nurses have experienced traffic accidents and paid penalties (65.9%). Self-reported monthly income level per year was an average of 28,364,000 won. (c) Rates were significantly higher for shoulder pain (61.5%), lower back pain (54.1%), knee pain (39.4%), and gastrointestinal problems (33.0%). CONCLUSION: These baseline results show the importance of improving home health nursing working conditions, a comprehensive prevention system and safeguards from physical discomfort.