Effects of a Medication Management Program for Cancer Patients Receiving Oral Chemotherapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a medication management program on oral chemotherapy patients. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group ppretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 60 cancer patients (intervention group: 30, control group: 30). The medication management program was provided for 6 weeks. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. RESULTS: Although there were no statistically significant differences, scores of self-efficacy (t=−0.12, p=.902), knowledge (t=0.62, p=.537), medication adherence (t=0.51, p=.610), and staff satisfaction (t=1.44, p=.156) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in self-efficacy, knowledge, symptom experience, medication adherence and staff satisfaction. This can be explained by both groups having already received initial instruction concerning basic care when they started to receive chemotherapy. Considering the positive outcome of the medication management program, a specialist nursing effort is needed to improve symptoms and medication adherence. Furthermore, a medication counseling hotline is needed to support the medical staff.

Correction of palatally displaced maxillary lateral incisors without brackets / 대한치과교정학회지

This article describes the orthodontic treatment of a 25-year-old Korean female patient with anterior crowding, including palatally displaced lateral incisors. Her facial profile was satisfactory, but 3.5 mm of maxillary anterior crowding was observed. To correct this crowding, we decided to minimize the use of the conventional fixed orthodontic appliances and employed a less bulky and more aesthetic appliance for applying light continuous force. We determined the final positions of the maxillary teeth via a working model for diagnostic set up and achieved space gaining and alignment with simple Ni-Ti spring and stainless steel round tubes. Tooth alignment was achieved efficiently and aesthetically without the conventional brackets.

Comparison of Rebound Tonometer, Non-Contact Tonometer, Goldmann Applanation Tonometer and the Relationship to Central Corneal Thickness

PURPOSE: To compare the level of accuracy of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements of a rebound tonometer (RT) Icare(R), and non-contact tonometer (NCT), using Goldmann Applanation tonometer (GAT) as a reference to evaluate the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) on IOP readings in the Korean population. METHODS: In a prospective study of 273 eyes, IOP was measured with RT, GAT, and NCT and compared to CCT measurements. Patients were assigned to one of 3 groups based on IOP measurements of GAT and 1 of 2 groups based on CCT. The comparison of the IOP values of RT, GAT, and NCT was performed between the IOP and CCT groups, and the differences among tonometers were evaluated. RESULTS: The RT showed statistically significant correlation with the GAT compared to the NCT. The CCT was related to RT measurements. The RT values compared to the GAT was underestimated in thin corneas and overestimated in thick corneas. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between the RT and the GAT measurements compared with the NCT. However, RT is influenced by CCT and correlates less with GAT in low IOP ranges, suggesting that corneal thickness should be taken into consideration during such measurements.