PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to describe the pattern of type D personality, to compare the life style and quality of life between type D personality and non-type D personality patients, and to investigate the factors influencing quality of life in patients with hypertension.
METHODS
A cross sectional, descriptive study was used. The participants in this study were 193 outpatients who were diagnosed with hypertension at two university hospitals in urban area, Korea. The data was collected from December, 2006 to January, 2007. Type D personality was measured by the DS-14 scale.
RESULTS
The prevalence of type D personality was 83.9%. Patients of type D personality were significantly different in educational status, monthly income, fat intake and exercise, and had a lower overall quality of life than patients of non-type D personality. Under controlled general characteristics and life style factors, multiple linear regression analysis was performed. The most significant factor influencing quality of life in hypertensive patients was type D personality, and this factor explained their quality of life with a variance of 14.8%.
CONCLUSIONS
Various programs for psychological intervention are required to control for the distressed personality of patients with hypertension. Further studies should be conducted prospectively on a larger patient population.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to develop an integrated undergraduate course including a PBL based on a blended learning strategy, and evaluate learners' responses.
METHODS
The learning contents of cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal medical systems, and nursing diagnoses of 'activity and rest' domain (NANADA's classification II, 2005) were analyzed. Six clinical scenarios with the clients in different life cycles were developed for PBL. Classical lecture and group presentation with on-line self learning were implemented in addition to PBL. The developed course was implemented on 84 junior nursing students in a university for 7 weeks with 5 hours per day, two days per week. Students were asked to complete structured questionnaires including problem solving, critical thinking, and nursing diagnosis differentiation abilities.
RESULTS
Learner's evaluation was positive in problem solving skills and in the differentiation ability of nursing diagnoses relevant to an 'activity and rest' functional health pattern.
CONCLUSION
Development and implementation of integrated courses based on a blended learning method need to be continued to enhance students' thinking and self-directed learning abilities. Supporting strategies for individual learners should be added for successful blended learning such as individual on-line feedback and consideration of individual learning outcomes.

PURPOSE
The main purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a standardized telephone monitoring intervention in addressing the symptom experience and improving self-management ability in patients with heart failure. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. There were 17 patients in the experimental group, and 16 in the control group. According to the protocol, patients in the experimental group received 15 to 30 minute-telephone monitoring four times, once a week for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed by chi2-test, Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: 1) The experimental group showed a significant increase in compliance with self-management compared to the control group. 2) There was a significant decrease in degree for 3 symptoms(DOE, PND, & continuing fatigue) in the experimental group, after telephone monitoring. However, the experimental group did not show significant decrease in the degree of the total symptom experiences. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide evidence that standardized telephone monitoring is effective in relieving symptom experience and improving self- management in patients with heart failure over the course of telephone monitoring.