Analysis on Job Competencies of HIV Counseling Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the job competencies of HIV counseling nurses and to figure out the importance, level of difficulty, and performance frequency of the competencies. METHODS: The job competencies were drawn from 22 HIV counseling nurses by developing new models and utilizing specialist groups. The importance, level of difficulty, and performance frequency of the competencies were analyzed using the average and deviation. RESULTS: The results of this study identified 6 job competencies such as counseling performance, expertise utilization, cooperation, support, administration, and self-development, 28 sub-competencies, and 48 job descriptions. Out of the 6 job competencies, counseling performance recorded high levels in the importance, level of difficulty, and performance frequency CONCLUSION: The study results will be used as the basic data of the training programs for strengthening the job competencies of HIV counseling nurses. Furthermore, it is expected that the results will contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission, the core of the national HIV/AIDS control programmes, and the improved health and quality of life in people living with HIV.

Job Analysis of Clinical Research Coordinators Using the DACUM Process

PURPOSE: This study was done to analyze the job of clinical research coordinators (CRCs). METHODS: Through the "developing a curriculum (DACUM)" workshop, the definition of CRCs' role was described and CRCs' duties and tasks were identified. Finally, the developed duties and tasks were validated for importance, difficulty, and frequency. RESULTS: A CRC is defined as the one who coordinates and performs tasks related to clinical research/trials among investigators, participants, and sponsors according to the Good Clinical Practice at institutions conducting clinical trials. Twelve duties and 78 tasks were identified on the DACUM chart which represented the importance, difficulty, and frequency of tasks represented as A, B, and C respectively. Based on determinant coefficient (DC) of the task, the highest ranked task was confirming the eligibility of participants for research (DC=8.03) and the lowest was inventory management for clinical study materials (3.95). CONCLUSION: In this study, the job of a CRC was analyzed through the DACUM process and it was found that CRCs were doing various duties and tasks. Based on these results, it is suggested that it is necessary to develop CRC education programs considering the career ladder of CRCs.

Evaluation of the Korean Formal Educational Program for Training Care Workers for Frail Elderly

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the formal education program provided by the Korean government for care workers for frail elderly people. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey in which 438 certified care workers who had completed the education program participated. Data were collected from June to October 2009, using a self-report questionnaire consisting of satisfaction with, and understanding of the education program. RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 46.7 yr, 87.9% were female and 58.2% were high school graduates. For the theory part of the education, the highest score for understanding was for 'supporting household & activities of daily living' while the lowest score for understanding was for 'care for death and dying'. For the practical education, the highest score for understanding was for 'talking with the client' and the lowest score was for 'first aid & basic life support'. There was a significant difference in satisfaction and understanding of the theoretical and practical parts according to educational level. CONCLUSION: Continuing education programs are needed for care workers for elders, both in the theoretical and practical areas. Also the content of programs should address the weak points of this formal education program.

Job Description of the Nurses Who Work in Operating Room Using DACUM Technique / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: Developing a curriculum(DACUM) is a method of analyzing job focused competency, which is obtained from the data of an expert belonging to a certain career. In this study the DACUM method was used to analyze the jobs of operating room nurses. METHOD: Through the DACUM workshop which was arranged by two DACUM facillitators, a definition of the role of operating room nurses was developed and then duties and tasks of operating room nurses' were identified. For the workshop, a DACUM committee with 10 operating room nurses was organized. Finally, the duties and tasks which were identified were validated by 422 nurses for importance, difficulty, and frequency. RESULTS: Thirteen duties and 105 tasks were identified on the DACUM chart, where importance, difficulty, and frequency of tasks were represented by alphabet letters A, B, and C as higher degree of importance. The determinant coefficient(DC) showed that the most important duty was assisting with operations(DC=6.61), and the least, managing operating materials(DC=4.22). For tasks, the most important ones were assisting in orthostatic surgery(DC=7.60), and assisting in thoracic surgery(DC=7.38), and the least important making gauze ball(DC=2.39), and saving of operation site((DC=3.27). CONCLUSION: The results suggest a need to develop an education program using the DACUM chart as a basis for the development and as a clinical career ladder and for curriculum of operating room nursing.

Comparison of Student Nurses Graduating from a Junior College or a University on Observation and Performance of Nursing Roles / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify observation and performance of nursing role activities by student nurses graduating from 3 year junior colleges or 4 year universities. METHOD: A descriptive design was used and the participants were 295 student nurses who were graduating. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The average score for observation of nursing role activity was 2.16+/-0.29, and for performance 1.61+/-0.29. Among the college students, the mean item score for observation was highest for medication administrator and lowest for provider of spiritual & bereavement care, while for the university students the highest was for provider of care during surgery and lowest for provider of spiritual & bereavement care. The college students had higher scores for observation, and the university students for performance. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that standardized practice learning programs need to be designed in schools and in clinical practice areas, in order to further develop adaptability to nursing roles.

Comparison on Perceived Importance and Frequency of Nurse's Role Behaviors between Medical and Surgical Nurses / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the perceived importance and frequency of nurse role behaviors for medical and surgical nurses and to examine the relationship between perceived importance and frequency of nurse role behaviors in the two groups. METHOD: A descriptive design was used with convenience sampling of 351 medical and surgical nurses in the 40 hospitals with over 500 beds. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: 1) The total score for perceived importance of nurse role behaviors was 4.09+/-.53 for medical nurses and 4.13+/-.53 for surgical nurses. 2) The total score for frequency was 3.15+/-.54 for medical nurses and 3.24+/-.56 for surgical nurses. 3) The perceived importance of nurse role behaviors was higher than the frequency, but the difference between two groups was not significant. 4) The perceived importance of nurse role behaviors was highly correlated with frequency (r=.579, p=.000) for the two groups. CONCLUSION: Medical and surgical nurses perceived the importance nurse role behavior but the frequency of the behavior is lower. Therefore, further research is needed to develop strategies to increase the frequency of nurse role behaviors.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Educational Needs for Sexuality of the Elderly / 성인간호학회지

PUPPOSE: This study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and educational needs for sexuality of the elderly. METHOD: This was a descriptive study, in which data were collected from February to April 2002 from 354 elderly who were residing in Chung-Chung province. RESULT: 1. The level of knowledge regarding sexuality was below average. 2. The level of the attitudes toward sexuality of the elderly was neither positive nor negative. 3. The educational needs of the elderly were above average. 4. Higher level of knowledge on sexuality was significantly correlated with more positive attitudes and education needs for sexuality, and more positive attitudes toward sexuality was significantly correlated with more educational needs for sexuality. CONCLUSION: Particularly men, with good health, and those who were in intimate relationships with their spouses and still engaged with active sexual life showed somewhat higher level of knowledge and positive attitudes as well as higher educational needs. Therefore, further development and applying of sexuality promotion programs for healthy elder couples should be considered in the future to enhance the quality of life of elder population. In addition, it is also suggested to develop an alternative intervention program on sexuality for elderly who are women, those with meager health, and the bereaved.