Digital Commons Network^™

How Do Food Shopping Behaviors Differ Between High-Income And Low-Income Shoppers In The Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area?, Alison M. Cooney

Masters Theses

Background: The social determinants of health and health equity are influenced by access, environment, and socioeconomic status (SES). Health inequities are preventable and can be avoided with systemic policy change surrounding the distribution of wealth and resources. Few studies have researched the differences in different income levels and the influence income has on food shopping behaviors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in food shopping behaviors between high-income and low-income shoppers living in the same zip code. Subjects Sixty-eight individuals who live in the 49341 zip code which represents a small city in Kent County, …

A Standardized Unit Based Process For Obtaining Heart Failure Patient Weights, Lesli E. Teed

Master's Projects

Introduction: A CNL student-led process improvement process improvement project was proposed to help improve the accuracy of Heart Failure patient weights on a geriatric specialty unit. Cardiology voiced a preference for patients to be weighed using electronic standing scales rather than in-bed scales to improve accuracy. A literature review revealed that in-bed scale weights were less accurate due to inconsistencies in zeroing the bed prior to obtaining the weight, not removing excess patient care equipment and bed linens, and not ensuring that the patient was wearing a minimal amount of clothing.

Methods: Electronic standing scales were purchased, current practice state …

Meta-Analysis Of The Association Between Acute Particulate Matter Exposure And Cardiovascular Disease, Issa El-Kildani

Masters Theses

Cardiovascular disease, which involves a wide range of conditions, including narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, has remained the leading cause of death in the United States for over 50 years. The majority of cardiovascular conditions are preventable, which can be identified through risk factors. However, maintaining healthy life choices can be difficult for most Americans, as the vast majority live in populated urban cities. Urban life can pose hazardous conditions to individuals, especially air pollution. Air pollution includes gaseous pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone and sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Of these pollutants, particulate matter has become …

Analysis Of Racial/Ethnic Disparities And Language Barriers In Radiation Therapy, Carrie Warner

Honors Projects

It is important for every patient within healthcare to have access to and receive quality care no matter their race, ethnicity, and/or primary language. Focusing on cancer care in the United States, there are racial and ethnic disparities as well as language barriers, both within the English language itself and with foreign languages, that prevent patients from receiving high quality care. This meta-analysis provides evidence of current disparities within healthcare that can be applied to the radiation oncology department and reveals suggestions for advancements including the use of language-concordant physicians and medical interpreters. Some of the policies, plans, and resources …

Improving Health Care Accessibility Among Geriatric Patients In Rural Communities, Capriana Calvachi

Honors Projects

The following literature review and analysis compiles information regarding ways to improve rural geriatric healthcare accessibility through the use of interprofessional care and outreach. I also wish to bring to light the various deficiencies often seen in this realm of care, and the reasons behind the inadequate rural physician retention rates. Using this background information, I compiled various collaborative approaches which seek to ease the strain faced by the healthcare system and its elderly patients.

Improving healthcare accessibility through the use of interprofessional care and outreach is an essential facet in geriatric medicine. By exploring the deficiencies of geriactric healthcare …

The History Of Early Modern Medicine In New Spain, El Primero Sueño, And Poet Sor Juana Inés De La Cruz, Daniel Hughes

Grand Valley Journal of History

This essay analyzes poetry and other writing by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz in the context of themes from Greco-Roman antiquity and the historical development of medicine in seventeenth century New Spain, now Mexico. Sor Juana’s El Primero Sueño, a Spanish language poetic silva, exhibits copious references to writers from classical antiquity, including Aristotle and Ovid. Establishing a context steeped in ideas from Greco-Roman antiquity, Sor Juana invokes the medical and philosophical legacy of foundational physician Galen of Pergamon. She also expands upon his ideas into the human anatomical realm, reflecting the increased early modern prominence of …

Occupation-Based Learning Modules In Preparation For Parole: A Program Evaluation, Alisha Cheyne, Gabrielle Martino, Elizabeth Vander Wall, Natalie Wallace

Community Based

A qualitative research study was conducted that examined occupational therapy students’ fieldwork rotation at Muskegon Correctional Facility, where they implemented a 15-week pre-parole program. One focus group with three participants was conducted. Transcription, coding, and theming followed, providing five themes; restriction, OT perceptions, learning styles, future needs, and relationships. Results showed areas of needs within this population, ways occupational therapy can address this need, and general improvements that can be made to pre-release programs.

Dosimetric Comparison Of Hypofractionated Prostate Radiation With Simultaneous Integrated Boost And Conventional Fractionation With Sequential Boost, Kristina Sammon

Culminating Experience Projects

Introduction: Hypofractionated treatment delivery regimens are associated with better overall long-term disease control for prostate cancer. For patients with high-risk disease, there may be an indication for treatment of the surrounding pelvic lymph nodes for better over-all disease control. In order to achieve a hypofractionated regimen with treatment to the surrounding pelvic lymph nodes a simultaneous integrated boost technique is employed. There are concerns regarding achievability of target dose coverage and limitation of dose to the surrounding organs at risk with this fractionation.

Methods: This study is a retrospective dosimetric analysis of 7 randomly selected patients with high-risk prostate cancer. …

Older Adults’ Perspectives On Occupational Supports In Alternative Housing Communities, A'Via Coleman, Lisa Goolsby, Kara Lurvey, Elizabeth Von Achen, Heather Veverica

Older Adult

The Problem: Many older adults in the United States wish to age in place but may find their current living environment is not suitable as they age. Alternative housing supports may improve the ability of older adults to live in their own home and community safely while performing necessary occupations.

The Resolution: Alternative housing communities offer a variety of supports that older adults value having access to, even if they are not always utilized including transportation, social interaction, volunteer opportunities, home maintenance, an accessible location, and the togetherness of community.

Insight Into Student Perceptions Of Lgbtqia+ Content Inclusion In Bsn Education, Kenny Sullivan, Jae Basiliere

Honors Projects

Previous research has indicated that LGBTQIA+ clients continue to receive discriminatory care from healthcare professionals. Undergraduate nursing students (n = 24) completed a survey inquiring about their perceptions of knowledge of this vulnerable population, their preparedness to provide care, and the education they received from their BSN program. Twenty-two students’ responses, 91.67%, indicate a need for further education on the provision of care to LGBTQIA+ patients. These students demonstrated discrepancies in their perceptions and the application of their knowledge. As such, nursing programs should begin to consider providing more thorough education on this vulnerable population to prepare student nurses with …

The Applicability Of Occupational Therapy To Correctional Programming, Jordan Lanning

Honors Projects

Correctional facilities are a controversial topic in the United States. Whether it is prison reform policy or overcrowding issues that are being debated in a political setting or at the dinner table, it is a hot topic of conversation. The discussion goes around and around to no avail, and seemingly no one is satisfied. A detailed look at current issues facing corrections, what has been done, and then, potentially what could be done may provide some clarity for a situation that is seemingly spinning out of control. Furthermore, occupational therapy and its application to correctional programming is explored as a …

A Discourse On The Gendered State Of Healthcare, Sarah Battiston, Anna Lehouiller

Student Scholars Day Posters

Let’s get real, gender expectations still permeate societal roles, and healthcare isn’t immune. The Role Congruity Theory explains the issues that arise when the societal roles prescribed to an individual do not align with the cultural stereotypes of the individuals chosen occupation. This theory gives us insight to the masculine characteristics expected of physicians and feminine characteristics expected of registered nurses, and what occurs when there is a “lack of fit” between gender stereotypes and stereotypes these occupations. This paper strives to begin a discourse of the issues regarding gendered stereotypes of these two careers, how these can lead to …

Honoring Patient Do Not Resuscitate Wishes And Reducing Harm During Transitions Of Care: A Quality Improvement Project, Emily L. Kraus

Doctoral Projects

Objectives: The quality improvement project objectives were to honor documented Do Not Resuscitate wishes in emergency departments by examining and improving workflow during primary care to emergency department transitions. A location for advance care planning documentations was designated for advanced directives, yet not utilized.

Methods: Mixed method, pre-/post-comparison, and thematic design examined clinicians and patients in a primary care office and two emergency departments in a Midwest healthcare system. Data was collected from patient records, clinician surveys, and observation of workflow. Descriptive statistics, frequency counts and non-parametric tests were used to analyze data.

Results: Patient charts were audited (N=261 [pre=124; …

Implementation Strategies To Reduce Hospital Readmission Rates In Adults With Sepsis: A Quality Improvement Project, Erin Kucharek

Doctoral Projects

Background: Sepsis is a concern in healthcare, as patients are 2 to 3 times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital than those with other illnesses. Readmitted patient with sepsis costs the healthcare system $3.5 billion dollars per year. Effective care coordination is a tool that decreases readmission rates in other illnesses and is likely applicable to those with sepsis. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if primary care provider follow-up appointments, increased home care utilization, and patient education would reduce sepsis readmissions.

Methods: The Transitional Care Model guided project design and The Kotter Model …

Utilization Of Patient Toolkit And Discharge Algorithm For Providers To Reduce Readmission Due To Repeat Ground Level Fall, Sara Karl

Doctoral Projects

Introduction. Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death in adults over the age of 65. A retrospective examination at Level 1 trauma center in the Midwest found that 19.4% (118/605) of older adults admitted with a ground level fall were readmitted with a subsequent fall and injury. The aim of this quality improvement initiative is to determine if the implementation of an evidenced based patient toolkit and a discharge algorithm for providers will reduce outpatient falls. The objective was to reduce hospital readmission due to repeat fall.

Methods: The design of this project was mixed methods, observational, …

Before-And-After Weight Loss Images' Effects On Body-Esteem, Audrey Boersen

Honors Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine how exposure to Before-and-After weight loss images affects body-esteem, and to explore if the race of the model moderates the relationship. Participants were 89 Caucasian females living in the United States. Participants viewed either a Before-and-After Caucasian or African American weight loss photo, or a control image. Measures of body-esteem and antifat attitudes were then collected. Unexpectedly we found that after being exposed to the images participants with a healthy BMI in the control and Caucasian model conditions reported higher body-esteem than overweight participants, however, there was no difference in the African …

The Effects Of Saido Learning On The Cognition Of Patients With Dementia: A Retrospective Study, Stephanie N. Laduke

Honors Projects

SAIDO Learning is a cognitive and social intervention developed by the Kumon Institute in 2004 to slow the progress of symptoms in patients diagnosed with dementia. Today, twenty-three nursing facilities nationwide utilize SAIDO Learning. The data in this retrospective study compare the baseline Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores to the MMSE scores obtained six months after SAIDO Learning is implemented from patients diagnosed with dementia at Waterford Place in Jenison, Michigan. These scores are reassessed every 6 months as a standard of care. The data was deidentified by the staff of Waterford Place before given to the research team. A …

The Impact Of A Pediatric Nurse Residency Program On Newly Licensed Registered Nurses At Six Months, Amy Rohn

Doctoral Projects

Background: Newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) face challenges as they transition from the academic setting to professional practice. These challenges can leave NLRNs feeling dissatisfied and vulnerable in their new positions. Nurse residency programs (NRPs) are an effective way to provide support for the NLRN.

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of a newly implemented NRP on NLRNs at six months related to their perception of support, patient safety, stress, communication/leadership, and professional satisfaction.

Methods: The project setting was a large midwestern children’s hospital. The sample consisted of twenty-six NLRNs who participated in the NRP …

A Collaborative Approach To Incentivizing Healthy Food Choices Among Uncontrolled Diabetic Patients At A Local Federally Qualified Health Center To Improve Health Outcomes, Briauna J. Taylor

Doctoral Projects

Background: The rate of uncontrolled diabetes among patients at a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is higher than the nation standard, a phenomenon believed to be caused by the effects of social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOH, specifically food insecurity, play a significant role in health outcomes of diabetic patients. Increasing access to healthy foods, thereby reducing food insecurity, has the potential to improve glycemic control and reduce diet related chronic disease.

Objectives: The project aims to determine if partnership with a membership based incentivized grocery store has the potential to positively impact health outcomes among vulnerable patients with …

Evaluating The Needs Of Cancer Survivors Through Focus Groups And Surveillance Data, Maria George Mph, Taylor Seaton Ms, Debbie Webster Bsn, Rn, Lmsw, Diana Haggerty Ms

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Abstract:

Introduction

As cancer prevention and treatment advances, cancer survival rates continue to increase. The growing population of cancer survivors have unique needs that must be addressed to improve quality of life throughout the cancer-care continuum.

Methods

Using data compiled from the 2015 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (MiBRFS), the Cancer Registry, and focus groups, several areas of need amongst cancer survivors were identified.

Results

In focus groups cancer survivors identified the 27 needs that fell into three categories: improving health-related behavior, utilizing health care services, and receiving emotional support. The MiBRFS provided population estimates for 10 of the 27 …

An Evaluation Of The Michigan State Loan Repayment Program, Dennis Tsilimingras, Wanda Gibson-Scipio, Ramona Benkert, Leon Hudson, Xuefeng Liu, Liying Zhang, Thomas Reed, Tsveti Markova

Michigan Journal of Public Health

No abstract provided.

Preventive Primary Care Screening Patterns After Provider Ehr Adoption For Michigan Medicaid Adults, William D. Corser 9183470, Zhiying You, John Hazewinkel

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Introduction

It remains largely unknown how use of electronic health records (EHR) impacts ordering of preventive/screening services (PSS). These analyses examined the influence of confirmed Medicaid provider EHR adoption on primary care ordering rates of five major PSS. Sample was comprised of 10,149 continuously enrolled Michigan Medicaid adults linked to 6,587 providers.

Methods

The authors obtained complete office-based billing claims data from the Michigan Medicaid Data Warehouse for adults with 29 or more months of continuous state Medicaid coverage. PSS claims data were linked to patients’ Medicaid-assigned providers who either had, or had not, EHR-attested during the 60-month analytic window. …

Extraction And Analysis Of Data For Fragility Fracture Patients To Help Determine The Likelihood Of Follow-Up With A West Michigan Fragility Fracture Service, Michael Joseph Lamphere

Doctoral Dissertations

Fragility fractures and secondary fractures are a large physical, financial, and emotional drain on the individuals and families affected. Improving post fragility fracture care and increasing follow-up rates with specialty services, such as a fracture liaison service, may promote post-fracture recovery and help prevent future fractures. The purpose of this doctoral project was to increase and improve post osteoporotic fracture care by increasing appropriate referrals and follow-up care. Patient data was retrieved and analyzed on 60 fragility fracture patients referred to a local fracture liaison service. The analysis found that patient gender, fracture site, and history of a previous fracture …