Purpose
This scoping review aimed to identify the current state of the application of theories in research related to advance care planning and to analyze the types and characteristics of the theories applied. Methods: Using the scoping review methodology presented by Arksey & O'Malley, the articles published from 2010 to 2022 were searched by combining the terms "advance care planning," "theory," and "model" in five electronic databases; PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, KMBASE, and KISS. Results: Thirty-two studies were identified. Theory-based research has been actively conducted since 2019, with a total of 25 theories applied. Psychological theories were the most prevalent, accounting for 75.0% of the applications, followed by sociological theories (12.5%), public health theories (6.3%), and one nursing theory (3.1%). Theories were utilized to create a framework for data analysis, establish a philosophical underpinning, develop intervention frameworks, and derive new tools. Conclusion: Various theories have been applied to research on advance care planning, yet the application of nursing theory has been limited. To optimize end-of-life care and advance care planning from a nursing perspective, further research incorporating nursing theory is essential.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to better understand the concept of patient activation in patients with cancer by identifying its dimensions and attributes and clarifying its definition through concept analysis. Methods: This concept analysis study used the method of Walker and Avant (2019), and systematically reviewed dictionary entries and 30 studies in various academic fields. Results: The concept of patient activation in patients with cancer was found to have four attributes: seeking health information, participating in treatment decision-making, confidence in health care, self-management behaviors. The antecedents identified were cancer history, fear of recurrence, information and resources provided by healthcare professionals, access to healthcare providers, negative perceptions of cancer, social support, and sociodemographic status. The consequences were appropriate treatment implementation, satisfaction with treatment, improved physical and mental health conditions, improved quality of life, reduced healthcare costs, and reduced stress. Conclusion: The development of patient activation measurements tailored to the characteristics of the disease and the goal of strengthening the role of patients, as well as the development and implementation of policies, programs, and guidelines to promote patient activation, will improve the medical experience and outcomes of cancer patients and adopt a more person-centered treatment approach.

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the characteristics and efficacy of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) interventions for preventing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in critically ill patients. Methods: The CENTRAL, Embase, OVID, CINAHL, KMbase, KoreaMed, and KoreaScience databases were searched from January 7 to 11, 2023. The search included all records from the inception of each database up to January 2023, with publication language restrictions to English and Korean. Three reviewers independently carried out the entire process, which included data search, quality assessment, and data extraction. Results: Out of 1066 articles, six Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included. One of the four studies that reported on the incidence of DVT, and one of the six studies that measured the incidence of Pulmonary Embolism (PE), found that IPC alone was effective in reducing the incidence of DVT and PE. One of the four studies that reported on VTE incidence demonstrated a significant reduction in VTE incidence with a triple intervention of IPC, anticoagulants, and elastic compression stockings compared to a combined intervention of anticoagulants and graduated compression stockings. Four studies that reported data on the incidence of bleeding reported no effect on reducing bleeding. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IPC interventions may reduce the incidence of DVT as a preventive strategy in critically ill patients. Further RCTs are necessary to evaluate the effect of IPC interventions on DVT prevention in this patient population and to provide robust evidence for critical care nursing.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of resilience in multiple myeloma patients and to identify the impact of symptom experience, cancer coping, and social support on resilience. Methods: Data were collected from January 2022 to May 2022 using self-report structured questionnaires administered to 162 outpatients who were undergoing chemotherapy or follow-up care after multiple myeloma treatment. The measured variables included symptom experience, cancer coping, social support, and resilience. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25 for descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, the Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: The mean resilience score of the participants was 66 out of 100 points. The levels of resilience were significantly higher in patients who had a job, recognized the importance of religion, and had a good economic status. Significantly higher levels of resilience were also observed in patients with lower physical performance status, fewer symptom experiences, more positive cancer coping, and higher support from healthcare staff. Conclusion: Monitoring the symptom experience and physical performance ability of patients with multiple myeloma is important for enhancing their resilience. Positive coping strategies need to be developed and additional support from nurses should be provided to strengthen the personal resilience of patients with multiple myeloma.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the readmission of heart transplant recipients through survival analysis. Methods: We collected data from heart transplant recipients who were discharged after surgery between November 2005 and September 2020 from the electronic medical records of Y University Hospital in Seoul. The Kaplan-Meier estimation was utilized to calculate the survival rate, and Cox's proportional hazards model was employed to determine the factors influencing readmission within 1 year. Results: Out of 150 heart transplant recipients, 81 (54.0%) were readmitted within one year. The median time to readmission was 231 days. An increased duration of postoperative days was associated with a higher risk of readmission (p=.016). Groups with abnormal sodium levels (p<.001), those requiring postoperative hemodialysis (p=.013), patients with chronic kidney disease (p=.002), dyslipidemia (p=.040), or diabetes mellitus (p=.045) also faced higher readmission risks. In the final model, sodium levels (hazard ratio [HR]=2.31, p<.001) and chronic kidney disease (HR=1.67, p=.045) were significant risk factors for readmission (x² =31.90, p<.001). Conclusion: Interventions to improve kidney function and a multidisciplinary approach are needed to reduce readmission of heart transplant recipients.

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical performance and fear of falling on fall risk in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This study included 132 patients who regularly received hemodialysis treatment at outpatient clinics in B City from January to April 2022. Data were collected on demographic and clinical characteristics, physical performance (the Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]), fear of falling (the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale-International [KFES-I]), and fall risk (the Morse Fall Scale [MFS]). The collected data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression in the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: Thirty-eight patients (28.8%) had experienced accidental falls in the past year, with an average of 1.68 falls per patient. The average SPPB score was 7.89±3.55 (range, 0 to 12), the KFES-I score was 23.18±9.36 (range, 16 to 64), and the MFS score was 45.68±19.52 (range, 0 to 125). Fall risk showed a significant negative correlation with physical function (r=-.72, p<.001) and a significant positive correlation with fear of falling (r=.65, p<.001). Factors affecting the patients' fall risk included the level of serum intact parathyroid hormone (β=.15, p=.004), fear of falling (β=.24, p=.010), number of falls (β=.34, p<.001), and physical performance (β=-.41, p<.001). The regression model was statistically significant (F=22.71, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 64.9%. Conclusion: To prevent accidental falls in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, it is necessary to develop and apply interventions that can enhance physical performance and reduce the fear of falling.

Citations

• Fear of Falling among Elderly Individuals with Various Medical Conditions
  T.K. Konovalchik
  Clinical Psychology and Special Education.2025; 13(4): 76.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to comprehensively understand the experiences of emergency nurses performing triage during the peak and plateau periods of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic over the past two years. Methods: Twenty triage nurses from three emergency medical centers were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection occurred from February to May 2022 via focus group interviews and was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The experiences of emergency nurses in triage revealed four themes: "changes in priorities due to infectious diseases", "barriers to tirage", "the emotional burden experienced by triage nurses", and "the journey toward growth". The pandemic heightened the focus on infection screening in triage. Triage nurses faced numerous challenges concerning their own safety and that of their patients and encountered difficulties in performing triage. Nonetheless, these experiences provided them with opportunities for professional growth. Conclusion: The experiences of nurses performing triage during the peak and plateau periods of the COVID-19 pandemic provide valuable insights for future preparedness and coping strategies in the face of similar infectious disease outbreaks. It is necessary to establish integrated triage guidelines for patient safety, develop operations manuals for triage, implement policies on staffing standards, and provide mental health support for triage nurses during pandemics.