The Perceptions and Needs of Hospice Palliative Care and Shared Decision Making among Middle-Aged Adults / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the level of understanding of hospice palliative care (HPC) and shared decision making (SDM) among middle-aged adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 90 middle-aged adults living in D city using a self-reported questionnaire. The SPSS program was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Among the participants, 76.7% were aware of the HPC while 82.2% of the participants were not aware of SDM. Among all, 85.6% responded positively for needs of HPC, and 77.8% of participants for SDM. Participants with Christian faith (Protestants and Catholics), high income level and present illness were better aware of HPC than others. The most needed services were nursing care and treatment along with systematic counseling and explanation provided by the medical staff. There was also a significant relationship between the HPC factors, gender, income, current health status and current illness status. Participants with high income level were well aware of SDM. Stronger SDM needs were observed among participants with professional jobs or current illness. CONCLUSION: For continued discussion on HPC and SDM, it is necessary to implement and promote various education programs for medical staff and the public.

Seroepidemiological Characteristics of Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome from 1996 to 2005 in Korea

Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Hantaan viruses has been one of the principal acute febrile disease in Korea. To analysis the sero-epidemiological patterns of HFRS, 4,177 patient sera of acute febrile illness submitted for serological assay to National Institute of Health from Community Health Centers, Institutes of Health and Environment and hospitals from 1996 to 2005 were examined for antibodies against Hantaan virus by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Serum samples with greater than 1:32 antibody titer were considered positive. The results were analyzed seroepidemiologically by annual, sexual, seasonal, age and regional distribution of HFRS patients. Out of 4,177 serum samples tested, 1,415 samples (33.9%) were positive to Hantaan virus. The ratio of males (48.2%, 682/1,415) to females (38.2%, 541/1,415) was 1.3:1. Seasonal incidence showed that 69.5% (985/1,415) of cases occurred from October to December, resulting with higher prevalence in November (41.3%, 584/1,415). Regionally, seropositive rates of samples collected in Gyenggi, Gangwon and Chungbuk were 39.9% (564/1,415), 19.3% (274/1,415) and 8.5% (120/1,1415), respectively. Age distributions of seropositive of HFRS were detected from 20 to 79 years (78%).