The climate crisis poses a growing threat to public health and healthcare system sustainability, while the healthcare sector itself contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. This commentary compares healthcare carbon reduction policies in major countries—the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Korea—and examines the role of the nursing profession within these frameworks. The United Kingdom has implemented a legally mandated decarbonization strategy through the National Health Service, achieving measurable emission reductions via integrated governance and accountability. The United States has adopted a decentralized, largely voluntary approach led by federal initiatives and institutional pledges. In contrast, South Korea lacks a healthcare-specific national decarbonization strategy and relies mainly on general climate and energy policies that indirectly include healthcare institutions. Across countries, nurses are increasingly recognized as key actors in reducing healthcare-related emissions through clinical practice and policy advocacy; however, this role remains insufficiently institutionalized in Korea. This commentary argues that South Korea should establish a dedicated national governance framework for healthcare decarbonization and reposition the nursing profession as a core implementation partner and policy advocate. Integrating climate change, sustainability, and resilience into nursing education and ensuring adequate workforce support are essential to advancing a low-carbon, climate-resilient healthcare system.

본 연구는 보건의료분야를 중심으로 국제기구의 대북 인도적 원조 실태를 조사하면서 보건의료 협력 30년 의 성과와 특징, 문제점을 분석한다. 국제기구는 1990년대 중반 이후 필수 의약품과 의료장비 제공, 의료시 설 개보수, 식수 및 위생환경 개선, 공중보건 증진, 모자보건 프로그램 운영, 의료인력 교육 등 다양한 지원활동을 전개하였다. 국제기구의 개입은 북한의 국가예방접종체계 강화와 감염병 예방에 기여하였으 며, 북한은 2010년대에 이르러 높은 백신 접종률 달성, 전염성 질병의 유병률 감소, 일부 전염병의 퇴치, 영유아 및 산모 사망률 감소와 같은 성과를 거두었다. 그러나 최근 국제기구의 상주활동 중단으로 북한 보건체계의 취약성이 심화하고 취약계층의 전염성 및 비전염성 질병의 발생 위험이 증가하였다. 본고는 북한의 보건의료 개선을 위해 국제기구가 수행한 지원활동을 구체적으로 검토하고, 제약적 환경 속에서 이루어진 보건의료 협력의 특성과 구조적 한계를 분석한다. 본 연구는 코로나19 팬데믹 이후 북한의 보건 의료 취약성 문제를 분석하면서 향후 보건분야 협력을 위해 국제사회와 북한이 해결해야 할 과제를 제시 한다.

이 연구는 대학생의 우울과 불안이 대인관계능력에 미치는 영향을 살펴보고, 이이를 통해 대학 내 정신건강 보호 및 건강한 사회적 관계 형성을 돕기 위한 정신건강관리 프로그램과 대인관계 교육의 개 선 방향을 제시하고자 한다. 연구 참여자는 서울 및 충북지역에 거주하는 대학생으로 2024년 6월 10일부 터 29일까지 총 195부의 자료를 수집하였다. 통계프로그램 SPSS 21.0을 활용하여 피어슨 상관계수를 통해 우울, 불안 및 대인관계능력 간의 상관관계를 분석하였고 진입(Enter)방식의 다중회귀분석을 통해 대인관 계능력에 미치는 요인을 분석하였다. 연구결과, 학년(Fᵂ=3.45,p=.039) 및 학업성적(F=3.66,p=.027)과 대 인관계능력 간에 통계적인 유의미한 차이를 보였다. 대인관계능력은 우울(r=-.281 p<.001) 및 불안 (r=-.205 p=.005)과 유의한 음의 상관관계를 나타냈다. 다중회귀분석에서 우울(β=-.27, p=.009), 학업성 적 ‘하’(β=-.24, p<.001), 4학년(β=.16, p=.034)순으로 유의한 영향요인이었으며, 모형은 대인관계능력 변량의 13%를 설명하였다(Adj. R²=.13). 따라서 대학은 우울 수준을 고려한 정신건강 지원과 함께 학년 및 학업성적 수준을 반영한 맞춤형 대인관계 역량 강화 교육(교과·비교과 프로그램 포함)을 설계할 필요가 있다. 본 연구는 대학 내 정신건강 관리와 대인관계 교육 프로그램 개발을 위한 기초자료를 제공한다.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore, in depth, the changes in nurses’ perceptions and organizational culture following repeated experiences with healthcare accreditation. Methods: A qualitative content analysis design was employed to explore nurses’ perceptions of healthcare accreditation. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 nurses from a spine and joint specialty hospital in Seoul who had experienced both the third and fourth accreditation cycles. Data were collected from July 9 to July 30, 2025. To enhance analytical depth, the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) framework was adopted as an interpretive lens, encompassing four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. Results: Twenty themes were identified and organized into four thematic clusters aligned with the BSC framework (1) ‘The Hospital’s Reputation built on Nurses Burnout’, (2) ‘The Gap between Accreditation Standards and Clinical Realities’, (3) ‘The Need for Process Improvement and Link between Accreditation and Practice’, (4) ‘Fostering a Collaborative Culture and Strengthening Leadership Competence’ Conclusion: From the BSC perspective, healthcare accreditation positively influenced clinical standardization (internal process), hospital reputation (customer), and professional development (learning and growth), but imposed significant resource imbalances (financial) on frontline nurses. To enhance future accreditation effectiveness, policies should establish fair compensation and support systems, apply flexible evaluation criteria reflecting hospital size and resources, and integrate patient and staff satisfaction indicators into the evaluation framework.

Purpose: Following to the government's announcement of the "Essential healthcare policy package" and its plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 beginning in 2025 to address workforce shortages, a healthcare policy conflict occurred, causing significant disruptions in medical services. This study aimed to identify the nurses’ care experiences in the changed healthcare environment, particularly one year after the healthcare policy conflict. Methods: This study used a qualitative approach with content analysis. Data were collected through focus group interviews with 19 nurses from tertiary general hospitals who could provide detailed accounts of their patient care experiences in the changed healthcare environment following the healthcare policy conflict. The main question was, "What changes have occurred in the nursing field since the healthcare policy conflict?" The specific objective was to examine the challenges nurses faced in providing patient care during the healthcare policy conflict and to identify their effects on nursing practice. Results: Five main themes and 17 subthemes were identified. The themes were: (1) changing in the nursing practice environment due to healthcare policy conflict, (2) challenges in the healthcare setting caused by the absence of medical residents, (3) adaptation of the healthcare environment to change, (4) changes resulting from the expansion of tasks and deployment of medical support nursing workforce, and (5) the present and future of the healthcare setting one year after the healthcare policy conflict. Conclusion: This study found that the absence of residents during healthcare policy conflict increased inurses’ medical support tasks and challenges, including communication issues. Over time, the healthcare setting adapted, with faster prescription processes, higher patient satisfaction, and improved quality of care due to the involvement of the medical support nursing workforce. Nursing duties expanded beyond their traditional scope to address care gaps resulting from healthcare policy conflict. Additionally, medical support tasks such as prescriptions and procedures, previously performed in legal gray areas, were shown to be feasible within a formal legal framework. Defining the roles of newly assigned medical support nursing workforce and providing support is necessary. Based on these findings, future research should examine nursing workforce management, task allocation after residents’ return, and nurses’ experiences in both general and specialized units.

This paper examines security vulnerabilities in current authentication methods for remote patient monitoring in Wireless Medical Sensor Networks (WMSNs), including offline password guessing and man-in-the-middle attacks. We propose a novel three-factor authentication protocol using fuzzy extractors and lightweight cryptography. Formal analysis via the Real-or-Random (ROR) model and Tamarin Prover confirms its robustness, perfect forward/backward secrecy, mutual authentication, anonymity, and untraceability. Performance comparisons demonstrate reduced overhead and enhanced security, offering a promising framework for IoMT development.

This study evaluates a lightweight authentication protocol for medical IoT systems, identifying vulnerabilities in encryption and key exchange. It proposes enhancements like ECIES and digital signatures, along with improved resource management and insider threat mitigation measures. These aim to strengthen security and protect medical data. Future research should explore quantum-resistant cryptography and AI-driven adaptive security.

Purpose: As society rapidly ages, the number of older single-person households continues to grow. These individuals often face barriers to healthcare access due to limited social and family support, which increases their risk of experiencing unmet medical needs. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of unmet medical care among single-person elderly households and to examine the influence of demographic, health-related, and community environmental factors, thereby providing evidence to inform policies aimed at improving healthcare accessibility. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2023 Korean Elderly Survey, including 3,423 individuals aged 65 years or older from older single-person households. Unmet medical care was defined as a self-perceived need for treatment that was not fulfilled. A complex sample logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors. Results: Significant risk factors for unmet medical care included low educational attainment, unemployment, low income, weak social networks, and poor relationships with children. In addition, frailty, negative self-rated health, multiple chronic conditions, depression, cognitive decline, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient physical activity were associated with higher risks. Environmental factors such as difficulty going out and long distances to healthcare facilities further increased the likelihood of unmet medical needs. Conclusion: Older single-person households face multiple vulnerabilities — including economic hardship, poor health, limited social support, and environmental barriers — that contribute to unmet medical needs. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive policy interventions that enhance community-based care, improve healthcare accessibility, and strengthen social connections.

본 연구의 목적은 황제내경에서 천인합일과 형신일체의 이론 적 배경을 통하여 현대인들에게 적합한 질병의 치유, 질병 예방차 원의 건강관리와 증진에 도움이 되는 몸과 마음의 헬스케어 방안 을 제시하는데 있다. 이를 위해 먼저 천인합일의 생명관점에서 자 연과의 어울림의 이치를 살펴보고, 형신일체의 의학관점에서 정신 의 중요성을 고찰하고자 한다. 이를 바탕으로 몸과 마음의 헬스케 어를 바라보는 핵심내용은 의가(醫家)에서는 심주신명(心主神明)이 며, 도가(道家)에서는 정기신(精氣神)과 삼단전(三丹田)의 친화성 관계로 분석되었다. 이를 통하여 몸의 기에너지 순환 방법에는 호 흡마사지, 마음 다스림의 방법에는 호흡명상이 건강증진과 질병치 유에 도움이 되리라 사료 되며, 몸과 마음의 조화로움을 중시한 헬스케어 방향을 이끌어 가는데 깊은 의미가 있다고 여겨진다. 앞 으로 오장의 자율신경을 검증지표로 하는 호흡마사지의 효능과 뇌의 가소성을 기반으로 하는 호흡명상의 효능을 객관적으로 과 학화하는 후속 연구가 필요하다.

한국의 지속적인 저출산 현상으로 영유아 및 소아 의료 시설과 인력이 감소하고 있다. 특히 평일 주간을 제외한 시간대에서 는 의료 인프라의 공백으로 시간적 불균형이 발생한다. ‘시간 외 의료 서비스’에 대한 수요는 지속적으로 발생하기 때문에 적절한 서비스 제공을 위해 야간 및 주말의 의료 접근성에 대한 정확한 측정이 필요하다. 이에 본 연구는 two-Step Floating Catchment Area(이하 2SFCA) 방법을 활용하여 평일 주간, 평일 야간, 주말의 영유아 및 소아 의료 인프라에 대한 공간적 접근성을 탐색하였다. 또, 이동 수단(도보, 차량)에 따라 공간적 접근성에 차이가 발생함을 확인하고자 하였다. 그 결과 도보와 차량을 이용하는 경우 모두 평일 야간과 주말의 접근성이 크게 감소하여 야간과 주말의 의료 인프라 제공 보완의 필요성을 확인하였다. 또한 이동 수단에 따라 공간적 접근성의 분포가 다른 양상을 보이므로 의료 서비스 보완 대책에 차이를 두어야 함을 보여준다.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore user experience with UV-C disinfection devices in clinical settings to obtain critical information for the development of domestic devices to meet the increasing demand for efficient environmental disinfection in healthcare settings, particularly in terms of effective multidrug-resistant organism control. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed involving 21 participants (infection control nurses, staff nurses, and device managers). Data were collected through five sessions of focus group interviews, and conventional content analysis was undertaken. Results: Four categories and 13 subcategories were identified: (i) Introduction and usage status of UV-C disinfection devices, with ‘Surge in demand for rapid response to infectious diseases’ and ‘Diversified application and management of UV-C disinfection devices based on needs’ subcategories; (ii) Advantages of using UV-C disinfection devices, with ‘Significantly reduced disinfection time,’ ‘Easy and simple operation,’ and ‘Providing a sense of reassurance from a visible confirmation of disinfection’ subcategories; (iii) Limitations of current UV-C disinfection devices, including ‘Ambiguous disinfection range and presence of disinfection blind spots,’ ‘Lack of standards for disinfection efficacy verification and management,’ ‘Safety concerns regarding ultraviolet radiation exposure,’ and ‘Issues related to maintenance of UV-C disinfection devices’ subcategories; and (iv) Expectations for domestic UV-C disinfection devices, including ‘Minimization of disinfection blind spots,’ ‘Variety in device sizes,’ ‘Auxiliary devices for enhancing usage efficiency,’ and ‘Clear protocols for device usage and maintenance. Subcategories.’ Conclusion: UV-C disinfection devices offer valuable benefits for infection control; however, improvements are needed to enhance their efficacy and usability. Practical recommendations include developing standardized safety protocols, enhancing UV-C coverage, and improving device mobility and maintenance to meet diverse healthcare needs. Such advancements in UV-C technology can significantly support effective infection control and operational efficiency in healthcare settings.

본 연구는 헬스케어 식물 생산단지의 친환경 설계 및 운영을 위해 우선적으로 고려해야 할 주요영역과 세부요소를 도출하고자 하였다. 헬스케어 식물 생산단지는 환경 친화적 식물 생산시설과 이용자의 정 신 및 신체적 건강 도모 시설을 포함한 복합 엔터테인먼트형이자 지속 가능한 식물 상업시설로 정의된 다. 이를 위해 AHP기법을 활용하여 전문가들을 대상으로 다섯 가지 주요영역(토지, 물, 서식지, 탄소/에 너지/대기환경, 재료/폐기물)과 세부요소에 대한 중요도를 평가하였다. 또한 농장 운영자를 대상으로 친환경 시설의 중요성을 조사하여 시설형과 농장형 유형에 적합한 우선순위를 도출하였다. 연구결과 물 관리가 가장 중요한 요소로 평가되었으며, 토지 관리와 탄소/에너지/대기환경 관리도 높은 중요성을 보였다. 반면 서식지 관리와 재료/폐기물 관리는 상대적으로 낮은 평가를 받았다. 또한 시설형, 농장형, 혼합형으로 유형화된 식물 생산단지 유형별 분석에서는 중요도 평가결과가 다르게 나타났으며, 전문 가와 운영자 간의 평가 차이를 통해 이론과 실무자적 관점의 차이를 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 연구결과는 헬스케어 식물 생산단지의 맞춤형 친환경 설계 전략수립에 기초자료로 활용될 수 있다.

Healthcare disparities that occur depending on where an individual lives cause health inequities which is an important task that the government must solve to guarantee the people's right to health. In this study, three main aspects were proposed to address regional healthcare disparities; strengthening public health care, establishing a system for citizen participation in the process of establishing the community health plan, and utilizing the primary health care post. To address the urgent issue of medical gaps or vulnerability in essential medical services, practical alternatives were suggested by enhancing public health care and efficiently utilizing private medical resources. The use of surveys in the planning stages of regional health projects to gather resident opinions has limitations in capturing diverse and in-depth perspectives. Therefore, it is proposed to institutionalize resident participation to establish a foundation for applying varied opinions throughout the entire process of the community health plan. Lastly, to improve medical service accessibility for residents in medically vulnerable areas, it is recommended to expand and enhance the quantity and quality of the primary health care post. It is anticipated that these measures will alleviate health inequities caused by regional healthcare disparities and ultimately enhance the overall health of the population.

Most advanced countries that are members of the World Physiotherapy have established a 4-year education system or specialized graduate school system for physical therapists based on national standards. They have also expanded their laws and systems to provide physical therapists with the autonomy and independence to offer services in their clinics. However, compared with developed countries in North America and Europe, there are issues with the autonomy and independence of physical therapists in Korea related to national regulations. Social status and recognition of the profession are also lagging. Korea is expected to become a super-aged society by 2025. To reduce the financial burden of healthcare and welfare on the government, it is necessary to extend the time spent by older adults on independent activities and minimize their time spent using medical services. To achieve this goal and maximize the active life of older adults, a plan to efficiently use licensed physical therapists in the country should be prepared. Korea should increase the license utilization rate of physical therapists to reduce waste at the national level and increase the professional hope of the younger generations of physical therapists. To create a healthcare policy focusing on the use of physical therapy personnel, similar to that in advanced countries, it is necessary to unify educational systems and produce excellent physical therapists. Providing professional autonomy can help physical therapists develop a sense of job satisfaction. Outstanding talent will choose physical therapy as a profession if they can see hope for their future careers, and if physical therapy services in Korea are similar to those delivered in advanced countries, physical therapy in Korea can develop into a healthcare service that people desire.

In hospitals, numerous deaths are reported. Healthcare providers who witness death feel a sense of loss and sadness, and experience a cumulative sense of loss as another loss overlaps before recovery after one person's death. Due to these cumulative feelings of loss, health care personnel experience despair, anxiety, helplessness, exhaustion, guilt, depression, and discontent with their jobs, which can result in job turnover and resignation. Various attempts are being made at the organizational level as a way to alleviate the feeling of loss after end-of-life care by healthcare providers, but the reality is that it is very difficult to provide systematic support within the organization. Therefore, the emotion coaching program for healthcare providers who experience loss and mourning, which started in 2017 at a tertiary general hospital, is a program designed and operated at the organizational level to share and talk about the various emotions experienced after the death of the patient