Purpose
This study aimed to explore the differences between patient and nurse perceptions of nursing needs and performance in integrated nursing care service wards within small to medium-sized hospitals. Methods: The participants of the study were 116 patients and 116 nurses in the integrated nursing care service wards of small and medium-sized hospitals in U and Y cities. Data collection was conducted between July 18 and August 12, 2022. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the paired t-test, the independent t-test, and the importance-performance analysis. Results: Only the difference between nurse-perceived nursing needs and nursing performance (gap 2) was statistically significant (t=4.18, p<.001). Patients' physical needs were higher than what nurses perceived, and patients' financial were higher than nursing performance as perceived by both nurses and patients. In addition, nurses' performance was lower than the perceived nursing needs in all domains. According to the importance-performance analysis, the "concentrate here" areas included infection control, respect for patients' rights, and education of patients and families about diseases and treatment plans. Additionally, financial issues in nursing were identified as a "low priority" area requiring long-term intervention. Conclusion: It is crucial to prioritize nursing care that addresses patients' needs for infection control, respect for rights, and education. Nurses should also meet the physical and economic support needs of patients. Furthermore, it is recommended to adjust the nurse staffing ratio and foster systematic collaboration among hospitals, taking into account the circumstances of small to medium-sized hospitals.

Citations

• Nurses’ perspectives on the adoption of new smart technologies for patient care: focus group interviews
  Hyein Choi, Sunghee H. Tak, Young Ae Song, Jiyeon Park
  BMC Health Services Research.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to compare the health expenditure and unmet health care needs and factors associated with these, in single-person households pre- and post-baby boomer generation, and of baby boomers.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the 2016 Korea Health Panel Study, which was conducted to investigate the factors associated with health expenditures and unmet healthcare needs of single-person households through hierarchical multiple regression analysis.
Results
The subjective health status of a single household showed a significant interaction with pre-baby boomers (β=.16, p=.045) in health expenditure. Identifying as men (OR=1.59, p=.046) and subjective health status (OR=1.90, p=.001) were statistically significant in terms of unmet healthcare needs. However, there was no significant interaction between pre-baby boomers and unmet healthcare needs.
Conclusion
Baby boomers are the first to be prepared for their later years in the current aging society. Despite a stable financial status due to vital economic activities, social support for baby boomers is inadequate. The rights guaranteed to family members under the system centered around kinship should also be guaranteed to single-person households.

Citations

• The impact of physical functionality and activity level on the self-rated health status of older adults living alone: An analysis of the mediating effect of social engagement
  Dajung Ryu
  Geriatric Nursing.2025; 63: 464.     CrossRef
• Socioeconomic disparities in hypertension and diabetes among older adults in South Korea: a trend analysis from a national survey, 2011–2023
  Bokyoung Choi, Jihee Choi, Jihwan Lee, Eunhee Choi, Soong-nang Jang
  Social Science & Medicine.2025; 382: 118350.     CrossRef