Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Articles in E-pub version are posted online ahead of regular printed publication.

Research Paper

Analysis of the relative importance of key factors in nursing workforce management for pandemic response in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals: Jeong Eun Cha, Eun Kyoung Yun; Received September 23, 2024 Accepted March 4, 2025 Published online May 14, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24112 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
This study aimed to identify the key factors in nursing workforce management for pandemic response in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals and to analyze the relative importance of these factors.
Methods
A validity test was conducted with experts to select four categories and 30 key factors related to nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Surveys were collected from 25 nursing managers in general hospitals and 21 nursing managers in long-term care hospitals, and the relative importance of the key factors was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process method.
Results
Differences were found between the two groups in the relative importance of nursing workforce management for pandemic response. Specifically, the highest-ranking category was “workforce recruitment and redeployment” for general hospitals, but “workforce support and protection” for long-term care hospitals. The most important factor regarding nursing workforce management was the “nurse-to-patient ratio” for both general and long-term care hospitals.
Conclusion
General and long-term care hospitals need to establish nursing workforce management strategies to effectively respond to pandemics with appropriate consideration of the relative importance and prioritization of key factors based on hospital characteristics.

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Research Article

Development and evaluation of a question-answering chatbot to provide information for patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention: Geunhee Lee, Yun Hee Shin; Received November 18, 2024 Accepted March 16, 2025 Published online May 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24128 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
This study aimed to develop a question-answering chatbot that provides accurate and consistent answers to questions that may arise during the recovery process of patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention, and to evaluate the chatbot.
Methods
The chatbot was developed through the stages of analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation. It was evaluated by five experts, and the user experience was evaluated by 27 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Furthermore, chatbot utilization was analyzed based on user experience logs.
Results
The chatbot was constructed as a question-answering database that included three categories: coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, and post-intervention management. The question-answering chatbot, referred to as the “Cardiovascular Strong” channel, has been launched and implemented. An expert evaluation of the chatbot revealed no usability issues or necessary modifications. The overall result of the user experience evaluation was 4.26 points. Based on the user experience log, the question-answer accuracy was 84.6%, and medications during post-intervention management were the most frequently searched topic, accounting for 110 cases (20.8%) out of a total of 528.
Conclusion
The chatbot that was developed to provide information via real-time answers to questions after the intervention can be easily accessed in clinical settings with no time or space constraints. It also will contribute to providing accurate disease-related information via the familiar KakaoTalk platform.

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Research Papers

Impact of smoking on diabetes complications: a secondary analysis of the Korean National Health Insurance Service-health screening cohort (2002–2019): Seonmi Yeom, Youngran Yang; Received September 9, 2024 Accepted February 12, 2025 Published online April 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24109 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
This study aimed to examine the effects of smoking on the incidence of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods
We analyzed 35,804 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2004 and 2017 using the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Health Screening Cohort (2002–2019). Smoking status was categorized into never, former, and current smoking, with further classification based on duration of smoking and daily smoking amount. We conducted survival analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model.
Results
Both former and current smokers had significantly elevated risks of macrovascular complications compared to non-smokers, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49–1.66) and 1.10 (95% CI, 1.08–1.17), respectively. Long-term smokers (over 30 years) had significantly higher risks of both macrovascular (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.29–1.42) and microvascular complications (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.30–1.42). Heavy smokers (over 2 packs/day) more frequently developed macrovascular (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.30–1.64) and microvascular (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.60–1.98) complications than never smokers. Notably, former smokers had increased risks of developing neuropathy (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.31–1.49), nephropathy (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.16–1.39), and retinopathy (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.39–1.60).
Conclusion
Patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of smoking are at higher risk of developing macrovascular and microvascular complications. Smoking cessation, along with reducing smoking duration and amount, is crucial for lowering these risks.

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The effects of a lifestyle intervention for men in infertile couples in South Korea: a non-randomized controlled trial: Yun Mi Kim, Ju-Hee Nho; Received August 20, 2024 Accepted March 6, 2025 Published online April 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24104 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an interaction model of client health behavior (IMCHB)-based lifestyle intervention on health-promoting behaviors, infertility stress, fertility-related quality of life, and semen quality in men in infertile couples.
Methods
This study used a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group, pretest-posttest design, with participants divided into an experimental group (n=17) and a control group (n=19). The 16-session, 8-week intervention included components such as reproductive health education, physical activity, nutritional management, and stress management. Data collection occurred between July 1, 2021 and September 27, 2022. The outcomes measured included health-promoting behaviors, infertility stress, fertility-related quality of life, and sperm quality (volume, total motility, immobility, concentration, and normal morphology).
Results
The experimental group showed significant improvements in health-promoting behaviors (z=–2.27, p=.023) and reductions in infertility stress (t=–2.40, p=.022) compared to the control group. Total sperm motility (F=4.39, p=.045) and normal morphology (z=2.86, p=.017) were also significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.
Conclusion
The IMCHB-based lifestyle intervention significantly increased health-promoting behaviors, reduced infertility stress, and improved key sperm parameters, indicating its effectiveness in supporting the reproductive health of men in infertile couples.

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Triglyceride-glucose parameters as predictors of diabetes mellitus incidence in Korean adults: a secondary analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study: Yu Jin Park, Miseon Shin, Hyun Seon Jeon, Eun Hee Yang; Received September 5, 2024 Accepted February 6, 2025 Published online April 1, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24108 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG)–related parameters and the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Korean adults. Data were obtained from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES).
Methods
This secondary analysis examined data from 6,816 adults aged 40–69 years who participated in the KoGES from 2001 to 2020. TyG–related parameters, including the TyG index, TyG–body mass index (TyG–BMI), TyG–waist circumference (TyG–WC), and TyG–waist-to-height ratio (TyG–WHtR), were assessed. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to determine the association between these parameters and the incidence of diabetes mellitus, with adjustments made for demographic, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics.
Results
Higher levels of all TyG–related parameters were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Specifically, participants in the highest quartile of the TyG index, TyG–BMI, TyG–WC, and TyG–WHtR exhibited significantly higher hazard ratios for diabetes mellitus incidence compared with those in the lowest quartile (p<.001 for all). Notably, the TyG index demonstrated a stronger predictive value for diabetes mellitus than traditional measures such as the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance.
Conclusion
TyG–related parameters are robust predictors of diabetes mellitus incidence in Korean adults. These findings support the incorporation of TyG–related measures into clinical settings for the early identification and intervention of high-risk populations. Utilizing these parameters for early diagnosis and preventive strategies may significantly enhance diabetes mellitus management.

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Research Article

Development of a Well-Dying Awareness Scale for Middle-Aged adults in Korea: a mixed-methods study: Yu Jin Jung, Eun Joung Choi; Received October 15, 2024 Accepted February 2, 2025 Published online March 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24121 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable tool to measure awareness of well-dying among middle-aged adults.
Methods
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, consisting of a qualitative phase to identify the characteristics of well-dying and a quantitative phase to validate the instrument with middle-aged participants. Initially, 76 items were generated through a literature review and in-depth interviews, and these were reduced to 35 items through expert validation. A pilot survey was conducted with 112 individuals aged 40–65, selected via quota sampling from 17 administrative regions in South Korea. Based on the pilot survey results, the instrument was refined to 32 items for the main survey. The main survey included 314 participants recruited through quota sampling in Busan and Ulsan Metropolitan Cities and Gyeongsang Region. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability testing were performed to validate the instrument.
Results
The final scale comprised 23 items across six factors. EFA demonstrated an explanatory power of 69.1%, with factor loadings ranging from 0.53 to 0.88. CFA confirmed the instrument’s validity, and reliability was established with a Cronbach’s α of .93.
Conclusion
This instrument is a validated and reliable tool for measuring middle-aged individuals’ awareness of well-dying. It can serve as an effective resource for evaluating and assessing well-dying awareness in the middle-aged population.

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