Nurses working amid the COVID-19 pandemic are at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study was conducted to verify the reliability and validity of the Korean version of Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IES-R), one of the most used tools for assessing trauma. Secondary data of 249 nurses who performed face-to-face nursing tasks during the COVID-19 pandemic, collected through an online survey, were analyzed by conducting a factor analysis of the K-IES-R and testing the internal consistency and concurrent validity with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7), and Dimensions of Anger Reactions-5 (DAR-5). The result of an exploratory factor analysis of the K-IES-R supported a three-factor structure of intrusion, avoidance, and sleep disturbance, with CMIN/DF = 2.98, RMSEA = 0.09, SRMR = 0.03, CFI = 0.93, and TLI = 0.90. The Cronbach’s alpha of each subscale was 0.88–0.94. The total K-IES-R score and each factor’s value showed a significant correlation (moderate or higher) with the PSS, GAD-7, and DAR-5. The K-IES-R was verified as a useful tool for assessing post-traumatic stress symptoms in nurses who directly perform nursing tasks in crises such as COVID-19. This study suggests the tool be used for early assessment of post-traumatic stress symptoms in nurses and providing appropriate interventions.

Lee J, et al. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2017 Aug;47(4):499-513. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2017.47.4.499

이준아, et al. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2021 Jun;32(2):205-219. https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2021.32.2.205

PurposeTo prevent workplace violence (WV) against visiting nurses (VNs), understanding the influencing factors is crucial. To better comprehend potential violence prevention strategies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has presented the four-level social-ecological model (SEM) at the 1) individual, 2) relationship, 3) community, and 4) societal levels. This study aims to quantify WV studies against VNs, examine the influencing factors, identify gaps based on SEM levels, and propose future research and policy directions.DesignA scoping review was conducted following the five-stage protocol proposed by Arksey and O'Malley in 2005.MethodsSystematic searches, including manual searches, were performed using English and Korean databases. Published journal articles including editorials on WV against VNs were included, irrespective of the publication date.FindingsSixty journal articles were finally selected. Until the 1990s, most of the literature comprised editorials, with empirical research emerging after the 2000s. Classifying studies by SEM level, many studies have focused on individual (86.7%) and community (66.7%) factors, but fewer have addressed relationship (21.7%) and societal (16.7%) factors.ConclusionsThe study revealed that much research has focused on individual-centered training, with gaps in risk assessment tool development, training incorporating relational aspects, standardized protocols, and understanding of the impact of legal rights and policies. This article advocates a comprehensive approach that considers all SEM levels to address WV against VNs.Clinical EvidenceThe findings confirm a research gap, which suggests the direction for future research and policies. Stakeholders should be urged to implement evidence-based strategies that contribute to safer work environments for VNs.

Lee J, et al. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2016 Jun;27(2):95-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2016.27.2.95