|
RESEARCH:
My research interests focus on the care of patients with life-threatening
illness and their families. A particular focus of this research
involves end-of-life communication to assist patients and their
surrogate decision makers in making plans for future medical care
that are consistent with their values and beliefs and the impact
of such planning on patients and their families, with the ultimate
goal of improving end-of-life care. In a study completed recently,
I examined the effects of an advance care planning intervention
for pre-open-heart surgical patients who might have to face situations
where the patient is at high risk for having end-of-life care needs
because of sudden complications or imminent death after surgery.
This intervention is based on a melding of a theory-driven approach
to patient education and a program designed to promote skills in
the process of advance care planning. The goals of the intervention
are not only to improve an understanding – on the part of
both the patient and the surrogate – of the patient’s
preferences and values but also to provide opportunity for them
to solidify the relationships between them. Currently, I am focusing
on identifying factors that are critical to strengthening the intervention
for seriously ill patients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, who
must negotiate the last days of their lives.
TEACHING:
I teach an undergraduate course, Nursing Management of Adults with
Acute/Chronic Illness.
SERVICE:
I am an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International, Society
for Medical Decision Making, American Thoracic Society, and the
Eastern Nursing Research Society.
BACKGROUND:
| Education |
|
| B.S. |
Catholic University, Seoul , Korea
Nursing
|
| M.S. |
Catholic University , Critical Care Concentration
Nursing |
| PhD |
University of Wisconsin, End of Life Care
Major: Nursing
Minor: Biostatistics
|
| |
|
| Professional Experience |
|
| 2003 - 2004 |
Project Director
Patient-centered Approach to Advance
Care Planning in Patients With CHF and ESRD (1
RO1 HS013374-01; $2.1 M; 2003-2007; PI, Karin Kirchfhoff) |
| 2003 - 2004 |
Statistical Consultant
American Association of Critical-care
Nurses National Survey on Critical Care in the US (PI,
Karin Kirchhoff)
|
| 2003- present |
Co-investigator Exploring Facilitators’ Perspectives
on Assisting Patients with End-of-Life Decision
Making (PI, Linda Briggs) |
|
