PURPOSE
This qualitative study was designed to explore and describe the nursing staff reported experiences of managing the medical needs of nursing home residents in South Korea.
METHODS
Using a focus group interview method, qualitative data were collected from March to May 2012. Twenty five registered nurses and nurse aids working in nursing homes were recruited through a convenient sampling method. Participants participated in one of four focus group interviews lasted up to two hours in which their day-to-day experiences of taking care of the medical needs of the elderly residents. All interviews were recorded and transcribed in verbatim, and analyzed according to the qualitative thematic analysis method using MAXQDA software.
RESULTS
The overriding theme was 'experiencing differences between the requirements of the regulatory system and the actual reality of the work place.' The findings of differences between what were true and what is required was based in four subcategories. The nursing home residents had far more medical needs than what were reported. Another finding was that the family members were seen as non-supportive and negligent towards the residents.
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study support the need for changes in the regulatory system. The regulatory limitations of current system with a shortage of resources pushed the participants to experience discrepancies between the required regulation and the reality. Additional research could contribute more exemplars to support changes.

Citations

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