ABSTRACT
Objective: South Korea has a high incidence of thyroid cancer. This study aimed to describe and understand the nature of the experience of Korean patients with thyroid cancer undergoing radioactive iodine treatment after total thyroidectomy through an in-depth investigation of their experience. Methods: Individual interviews using open questions were conducted with 22 participants living in South Korea. All were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. This study used the phenomenological analysis method proposed by Colaizzi to determine the essential subjects verified according to the four reliability criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln. Results: Three categories, 6 theme clusters, and 13 themes emerged from the study. The three categories identified were "broken life," "solitude in a crowd," and "positive changes in values." The six theme clusters were "anxiety about death," "an imperfect being," "feeling social isolation," "struggling alone," "an active attitude toward life," and "life support." The themes that emerged the most were related to physical and psychological difficulties. Of the 13 themes, four themes were related to family-oriented values and culture. Conclusions: This study suggests that nursing interventions are required to reduce the physical and psychological symptoms of Korean patients with thyroid cancer. It is necessary to build a support system with the patient's family members to consider family-oriented values and culture.
ABSTRACT
Korea has the second highest incidence of colorectal cancer in the world. Instruments that are culturally and contextually sensitive, as well as valid and reliable, for determining health beliefs regarding colorectal cancer screening are essential for obtaining accurate information. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the health belief model scale for Koreans regarding colorectal cancer and fecal occult blood test utilization. Individual and cognitive interviews (also known as cognitive debriefing) with 33 Koreans, expert reviews with seven nursing practitioners and professors, and a pilot test with 18 Koreans were conducted to make the existing health belief model scale culturally and contextually sensitive. Subsequently, a cross-sectional survey with 728 Koreans aged >50 years was conducted. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the construct validity and internal consistency reliability supported the adapted health belief model scale. The adapted and validated health belief model scale in this study could contribute to the assessment of health beliefs regarding the fecal occult blood test among Koreans with a greater degree of accuracy with respect to Korean culture and context.
