Trends and Meta-Analysis of Research on the Operation of Programs for Bereaved Families in South Korea.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze interventions for bereaved families and evaluate their effectiveness, with the ultimate goal of supporting evidence-based nursing for bereaved families. Methods: Research trends were identified based on a search of domestic databases from January 2000 to December 2022, and a meta-analysis was conducted on interventions for bereaved families. Forty-five papers were selected, and information was extracted on participants, research design, and interventions. A meta-analysis of seven papers was performed, and the effect size was calculated. Results: Fourteen papers dealt with interventions for middle-aged women who had lost their spouses, 20 used qualitative research methods, and 20 were on art therapy programs. Thirty studies had fewer than 10 participants, and most interventions had 60~120 minutes per session and 9~16 sessions in total. There were seven randomized controlled trials, and all studies included in the quality evaluation showed a low risk of bias. Four papers measured grief as an outcome, and the effect size was -1.9577 (95% CI -2.9206 to -0.9947), indicating that the treatment significantly decreased grief (P<0.001). Six papers measured depression as an outcome, and the effect size was -1.6775 (95% CI -2.1835 to -1.1716), showing that the treatment significantly decreased depression (P<0.001). Conclusion: Intervention programs for bereaved families were shown to be effective in relieving grief and depression. However, programs should be developed that target middle-aged men who have lost their spouses and children who have lost their parents. Randomized controlled trials should also be conducted on interventions to reduce grief and depression.

The Lived Self-Care Experiences of Patients Undergoing Long-Term Haemodialysis: A Phenomenological Study.

The study aims to understand the lived self-care experiences of patients who have undergone long-term haemodialysis. The study adopts a qualitative phenomenological design. Data were collected for six months, from 1 July to 31 December 2020. Out of 90 outpatients in a haemodialysis clinic at a university hospital in Seoul, Korea, 11 patients who had received haemodialysis for more than 10 years were purposefully selected, and 9 of them took part in in-depth interviews. The main research question was, 'What was the experience of surviving long-term haemodialysis?' The study revealed four main themes surrounding the topic of self-care: (A) the desire to keep living despite challenges, (B) creating one's own dietary principles, (C) moving one's body with the remaining strength, and (D) moving toward independence. In the long-term self-care of haemodialysis patients, they shared personal observations on their disease and treatment process and their struggles to try to manage their own physical and emotional self-care. By exploring the experience of long-term haemodialysis, it is possible to gain a deeper understanding of their perceptions, emotions, and motivations. With this information, healthcare professionals can develop interventions and support strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of haemodialysis patients.

Lived experience of Korean nurses caring for patients on maintenance haemodialysis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To understand the lived experience of nurses who care for people undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research regarding the lived experience of nurses caring for people undergoing chronic haemodialysis, in spite of an increased number of nurses and patients. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was conducted. METHODS: Fourteen nurses working at two haemodialysis centres in Korea were selected via purposive sampling and participated in in-depth interviews. Data were collected from October 2013-January 2014 and analysed using the phenomenological research method. RESULTS: Four themes were extracted for haemodialysis nurses' caring experience: feelings of pity for clients scheduled for haemodialysis treatment; continuous effort to establish good relationships with clients; feeling comfortable with clients, as though they were family or friends; and reflecting on their own lives through the lives of clients. CONCLUSIONS: Haemodialysis nurses experienced therapeutic relationships while taking care of clients undergoing haemodialysis; they also experienced maturation through reflection on their lives as nurses and human beings. An understanding of nurses' experiences in caring for people undergoing haemodialysis should be the basis of practice, education and nursing research in haemodialysis. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study could be helpful in enabling nursing students and/or nurses to understand the experience of caring and its meaning with respect to clients undergoing haemodialysis.