Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the post-discharge experiences of caregiving mothers of pediatric patients with intestinal failure who were receiving home TPN treatment. Methods: This was a qualitative study utilizing Colaizzi’s phenomenological research method. The eight participants were mothers of pediatric outpatients from the short-gut syndrome clinic at a tertiary hospital in Seoul who were continuing home TPN treatment through a CVC. Data were collected from January to May 2022 through individual in-depth interviews, and analyzed. Results: Analysis of 127 meaningful statements from the mothers identified 12 themes and 36 sub-themes, organized into five categories: “Mixed emotions regarding hospital discharge”, “Problems after discharge”, “Stress in everyday life”, “Support from nurses and family members”, and “Looking to the future”. Conclusion: The study results provided insights into the meaning and value of the post-discharge experiences of mothers of pediatric patients with intestinal failure. These findings will be valuable in the development of interventions to provide education and other support measures for primary caregivers of children with intestinal failure.

Purpose: The purposes of this study was to identify the nurses' experiences of prolonged mask wearing in the context of COVID-19. Methods: This study was a qualitative study that used the content analysis method. Data were collected using focus group interviews with 18 nurses at a tertiary general hospital from April 13 to 27, 2023. Results: Five themes and 15 sub-themes emerged through qualitative content analysis. The themes included: “Mandatory or optional experience of wearing a mask unrelated to COVID-19”, “Mandatory KF94 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic”, “Multifaceted changes in life due to mandatory mask wearing”, “Unexpected benefits of wearing a mask”, “Difficulties with wearing masks continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic”. Conclusion: This study confirmed the discomfort and difficulties of prolonged mask wearing among nurses in the context of COVID-19. Our findings suggest that there is a need for organizational and national support for nurses who are required to continue wearing masks after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify and understand the experience of entering graduate school in an advanced practice nursing program in the COVID-19 situation. Methods: This qualitative study used content analysis. The data collection using the focus group and in-depth interviews was conducted from February 11 to September 2, 2022. Results: Six themes and 27 subthemes emerged through the qualitative content analysis. The themes included: “Graduate school: The next step”. “Concerns prior to attending grauate school”, “Learning in the COVID-19 era: Differences between expectations and reality”, “Overcoming the challenges of graduate school”, “Education: A stepping stone to becoming a specialist”, “Changes in self and others’ perceptions”. Conclusion: This study confirmed the growth and change of nurses through the experience of entering an advanced practice nursing program in the COVID-19 era.

As a leading nation of ubiquitous technology, South Korea has been promoting u-City pilot projects throughout the country. According to ‘Fundamental Construction Law of u-City,’ u-City projects are classified into old-town and new-town types. However, mos

The first full-scale u-City operation has started in Dongtan u-City. As local cities take over and operate the u-City, unexpected issues arise such as securing the budget of operating costs and self-providing the costs with business models utilizing the u

The first full-scale u-City operation has started in Dongtan u-City. As local cities take over and operates the u-City, unexpected issues arise such as securing the budget of operating costs and self-providing the costs with business models utilizing the u-City assets. The paper presents a strategy for solving these issues. The strategy provides a foundation(infrastructure) for long-term operation models which may reduce the long-term operation costs. In order to establish the economic operating framework of u-City, suggested are some cost-reduction models based on the operating costs structure. For each model, a base framework with comparative analysis of operating costs is provided. With these models, each u-City may select a relevant model according to the characteristics of it. We hope that the framework provides the foundation for efficient and sustainable u-City operations.

The first full-scale u-City operation has started in Dongtan u-City. As local cities take over and operates the u-City, unexpected issues arise such as securing the budget of operating costs and self-providing the costs with business models utilizing the

The Construction of u-City is spreading under leading the government and the full-scale u-City operation is scheduled to unfold as Dongtan u-City has been completed. While a local self-government city takes over and runs the u-City, a procurement of operating costs and the development of business model utilizing the u-City assets become new issues. In this paper, in order to establish the systematic operating framework of u-City, we suggest some applicable models based on analyzed structure of operating costs and assets. we provide a base framework through comparative analysis about operating costs for each model. It helps to select a relevant model according as the characteristics of each City.