ObjectivesTo investigate predictors for specific dimensions of service quality perceived by hospital employees in long-term care hospitals.MethodsData collected from a survey of 298 hospital employees in 18 long-term care hospitals were analysed. Multivariate ordinary least squares regression analysis with hospital fixed effects was used to determine the predictors of service quality using respondents’ and organizational characteristics.ResultsThe most significant predictors of employee-perceived service quality were job satisfaction and degree of consent on national evaluation criteria. National evaluation results on long-term care hospitals and work environment also had positive effects on service quality.ConclusionThe findings of the study show that organizational characteristics are significant determinants of service quality in long-term care hospitals. Assessment of the extent to which hospitals address factors related to employeeperceived quality of services could be the first step in quality improvement activities. Results have implications for efforts to improve service quality in longterm care hospitals and designing more comprehensive national evaluation criteria.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of the "motivation semester" program, which was implemented for the freshmen at the K-university. The program, which was carried out for the first time among universities in Korea, was designed to help university freshmen with increasing academic motivation and adjusting university life. For four weeks, various programs such as self-leadership camp, major commitment programs, and career exploration were offered to all freshmen at the K-university. The study design was a pre-post comparison of academic motivation scores among four undergraduate departments freshmen, majoring social welfare, hospital management, radiological science, and optometry. The subjects of this study were 196 students. The T-test result, which was used to analyze the differences between pre-and post-program scores, was statistically significant(t=-2.523, P<.05). The study results showed that the "motivation semester" program significantly enhanced the academic motivation of freshmen. It was encouraged to develop programs for university freshmen to improve academic motivation in their major areas.■ keyword :|University Freshmen|Motivation Semester|Adjustment to University Life|

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the work environment and job satisfaction of hospital workers and to assess their effects on quality of services under the national long-term care hospital evaluation (hereafter, national evaluation), which has implemented since 2008. Methods: A self-administered survey was conducted on 178 hospital workers' at 18 hospitals in Chungcheong province, Korea. Survey questionnaires include questions about respondent' awareness of the national evaluation and any change in work environment and job satisfaction under the national evaluation. We used a path analysis to assess the effects of work environment and job satisfaction on quality of services.Results: Results showed that the effects of the national evaluation on work environment and job satisfaction were positive, which, in turn, leads to better quality of services.Improvements in the work environment under the national evaluation have resulted in increased job satisfaction. High scores for job satisfaction showed a significant association with the quality of services provided in long-term care hospitals. In addition, the national evaluation itself had a positive effect on improving quality of services. Conclusions: In order to facilitate quality improvement activities under the national evaluation, it is suggested that workers be provided with education and training. Continuous efforts to improve work environment and to enhance job satisfaction would lead to provision of better quality of services in long-term care hospitals.

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