초록
Objectives : This study was to identify the stop-out experiences of Korean Medicine Students(K.M.S.). The stop-out is defined as a withdrawal temporarily from enrollment at a university. Methods : Data was collected through in-depth individual interviews from 2013 to 2016 and analyzed with Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology. The participants were interviewed once or twice, for 30minutes to 50minutes per interview. Results : Ten theme-clusters were identified from 21 themes. These theme-clusters were divided to 4 divisions as when they made the decision for the stop-out, during their stop-out period, when they went back to school and the meaning of their stop-out. 'A difficult situation to continue the study', 'Uncertainty about their decision and anxiety of the future' are 2 theme-clusters for when they made the decision for the stop-out, 'Conflict and anxiety', 'Novel and free time', 'Improving family relationship and finding new relationship' are 3 theme-clusters for during their stop-out period, 'Anxiety for the returning to school', 'New relationship and sense of relief' are 2 theme-clusters for when they went back to school, and 'Making a present for me', 'An opportunity for the emotional growth', 'Recovery of learning will' are 3 theme-clusters for the meaning of their stop-out that they gave to it. Conclusions : The stop - out of K.M.S. began at the hope that they want to take the lead for their lives. And they would find themselves more mature after the experience of their stop-out. This result could be a basic reference for the counselling of the faculty working with K.M.S.