Digital Commons Network^™

Professional Expertise Of Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Lori Ann Madaus Lemorie

Masters Theses

Occupational therapists are increasingly practicing in community-based settings. Due to changes in the health care system, the need for defining roles, and explaining what a profession can contribute to health care has been highlighted. The major goal of this study was to identify job roles, job skills, and professional expertise of community-based therapists. The Community Practice Project survey was mailed to 200 AOTA registered community-based therapists. A response rate of 42% was achieved. The results provided a profile of the typical community-based therapist. Principal roles, job skills, and areas of professional expertise were also identified. The adequacy of educational preparation …

The Utilization Of Spirituality In Occupational Therapy: Beliefs, Practices, And Barriers, Jennifer S. Collins

Masters Theses

Spirituality has become an increasingly important topic in healthcare and specifically in occupational therapy. Previous studies of spirituality in occupational therapy indicated that while therapists believed spirituality was important to health and rehabilitation potential, few therapists reported incorporating spirituality into treatment (Engquist, Short-DeGraff, Gliner, & Oltjenbruns, 1997; Howe, 1996; Rose, 1999). This study utilized a survey design to examine occupational therapists' current beliefs and practices regarding spirituality, as well as asking therapists to identify barriers to the use of spirituality in treatment.

The results of this study indicate that beliefs and practices regarding spirituality in occupational therapy may be changing. …

Determinants Of Health Promoting Behaviors In Older Adults, Kay Wallace

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between Health Locus of Control, selected demographic variables, and the Health Promoting Behaviors of Physical Activity and Nutrition in older persons. Pender’s (1996) Health Promotion Model (HPM) was used as the conceptual framework to guide this study.

The sample consisted of 48 subjects, aged 65 years and older, who resided in senior living centers. The subjects were predominantly Caucasian (94%) and female (81%). Research instruments were self-administered questionnaires that consisted of demographic data, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale.

No significant relationships between …

Clean Versus Sterile Wound Care Technique Utilized By Registered Nurses In Acute Care When Dressing A Pressure Ulcer, Donna S. Pennington

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were to identify the wound care technique practiced by acute care nurses and the deviations made from sterile technique when dressing a pressure ulcer. A descriptive design using a survey methodology was employed. A questionnaire, the Faller Wound Care Technique Survey, was distributed to a convenience sample of 131 acute care nurses. Forty nurses (30%) responded.

The study findings indicate that the typical wound care technique of dressing a pressure ulcer is a combination of sterile and clean procedures and is not consistent with the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Guideline recommendations to …

An Occupational Study Of Physical Playing-Related Injuries In College Student Musicians, Christine A. Guptill

Masters Theses

Several studies have been conducted on the playing-related physical injuries of college music students. In this study, a client-centered, occupation-based survey was administered to music majors at a large midwestem university. The primary objectives of the study were to examine which health professionals were consulted by this population, and to determine student satisfaction with any treatment they might have received. Secondary objectives were to determine: (a) the perceived efficacy of currently available treatments, (b) the needs and expectations with regard to consultation and treatment, ( c) the perceived need of professionals with specialized knowledge of music and treating musicians, and …

Advanced Practice Nurses' Knowledge And Attitudes On Pain And Pain Management, Joann E. Baar

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of advanced practice nurses regarding pain and pain management, and to determine if a relationship existed between education, experience, clinical specialty, and recent educational sessions on pain management, and scores on the Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey. The convenience sample consisted of 78 advanced practice nurses or advanced practice nursing students in west Michigan. Data were collected via the use of mailed questionnaires. Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory of nursing provided the theoretical framework for this study.

No significant differences in scores were found among those with different …

Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses' Perceptions Of Participation In Ethical Decision Making In The Care Of Imperiled Newborns, Dennis W. Philpott

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to empirically examine the extent of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse participation in the ethical decision making process. The study also examined the relationship of nurse participation and satisfaction in ethical decision making to age, years of experience, level of education, and religious participation. This study attempted to describe what NICU nurses believe their role should be in the ethical decision making process. Koblberg’s theory of moral development was the theoretical framework. Data were obtained through the use of a survey mailed to Registered Nurses employed in a level III NICU. …

Perceived Health Status, Preventive Health Behaviors, Formal Education, And Potential Barriers To Health Care In A Rural Population, Tori Renee Gaultier

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine preventive health behaviors, perceived health status, level of formal education, and potential barriers to health care in a rural northern mid-westem state using Leininger’s Cultural Care Theory. A short questionnaire was designed to identify factors that may influence health for rural residents. The sample consisted of 159 adults. The questionnaires were hand delivered to 299 randomly selected homes. Analysis was performed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics. The results supported an association between fewer preventive health behaviors and more potential barriers to health care (χ₂ = 36.72, p < .001). A higher level of formal education was associated with higher perceived health status (χ₂ = 13.99, p < .001). Potential barriers to health care were not found to be associated with lower perceived health status.

Nurse Practitioners' Perceptions And Use Of Nursing Diagnoses, Gay R. Kaashoek

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of nursing diagnoses by nurse practitioners (NPs). Additionally, this study assessed NPs’ perceptions of the advantages and challenges to using nursing diagnoses. Data were collected by questionnaires mailed to a randomly selected national sample of 398 NPs.

Of the 249 participants, 48 NPs indicated that they use nursing diagnoses. No significant differences were found between nursing diagnosis use and selected demographic characteristics or educational preparation. However, the use of nursing diagnoses was significantly higher among participants who were expected to use them as NP students (χ²= 22.012; p …

The Frequency Of Breast Self-Examination In Women Who Participated In The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial, Kelly J. Moore

Masters Theses

This study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to examine attitudes about breast health among women who had participated in the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. More specifically, the purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the HBM variables and the frequency of breast self-examination (BSE). A convenience sample of 80 women completed Champion’s (1993) HBM questionnaire.

It was hypothesized that the HBM concepts would significantly correlate with the frequency of BSE. However, only two significant correlations were found: a positive correlation between the frequency of BSE and perceived benefits (r=.37; p=.000) and a negative correlation between the …

Role Stress And Career Satisfaction Among Registered Nurses By Work Shift Patterns, Amy Jude Hoffman

Masters Theses

In today’s health care climate, the need to understand the effects of work shift patterns on role stress and career satisfaction of registered nurses (RNs) has never been greater. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to examine differences in the level of role stress and career satisfaction among hospital-based RNs by shift length. Data were collected through the use of standardized questionnaires from a probability sample of 208 RNs.

The results indicated that RNs practicing in 12-hour work shift patterns experienced significantly higher stress levels that RNs working 8-hour shifts. Additionally, workload issues and dealing with death and …

The Effects Of Mutual Goal Setting On Fourth-Graders' Adherence To The Food Guide Pyramid Recommendations, Jacquelyn S. Kiefer

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if, at the conclusion of a two week nutrition program, students involved in mutual goal setting would exhibit more positive nutrition behaviors than students not involved in mutual goal setting.

Pre-test 24-hour dietary recalls were collected on the experimental group (n = 18) and the control group (n = 19). The experimental group and the investigator then mutually set goals related to dietary practices. Both groups received nutrition education (4 classes). At the conclusion of the education and the mutual goal setting intervention, post-test 24-hour dietary recalls were collected. The data were …

Relationship Of Osteoporosis Knowledge And Perceived Susceptibility To Osteoporosis Among Hispanic Women, Johannie M. Troncoso

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the relationship of osteoporosis knowledge to perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis among Hispanic women. The Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, Strecker, & Becker, 1994) was the theoretical framework for the study. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 54 Hispanic women, ages 18 years and older, from two different areas in a Mid-Western state. The final sample, based on the inclusion criteria, constituted 41 subjects. The participants completed the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test (OKT) developed by Kim, Horan, and Gendler (1991) and the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS) also developed in 1991 by …

Evaluation Of The Effect Of Home Care Interventions On The Self-Care Agency And Hospital Readmission Rate Of Patients With Congestive Heart Failure, Patricia K. Rau

Masters Theses

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is prevalent and patients with CHF incur costly hospital readmissions. It is crucial to reduce rehospitalizations and improve self-care in these patients. This blind experimental study based on Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory evaluated two nursing interventions provided to 49 home care patients with CHF from 42 to 94 years of age in western Michigan. The study results were drawn from a larger longitudinal study in progress by researcher Dr. Kay Setter-KIine, RN. PhD. One group received supportive-educative interventions and the other received placebo interventions. The study sought to determine if supportive-educative nursing interventions improved medication …

Is There A Relationship Between Stages Of Change And Perceived Self-Efficacy Related To Exercise Among Low Risk Pregnant Women?, Rebecca Weiner

Masters Theses

The theoretical framework used for this study was based on Prochaska and DiClemente’s (1983) Transtheoretical Model. The purpose of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between stage of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance) and perceived self-efficacy regarding exercise among low risk pregnant women. Data was obtained through a survey of 140 low risk pregnant women from two private obstetricians’ offices. Participants were between 18 and 43 years old and primarily Caucasian (75%) and high school educated (85%). Each participant was successfully categorized into a stages of change based on their reported exercise behavior. The levels …

The Influence Of Support Systems And Internal System Resources On Family Well-Being Of Caregivers Of A Depressed Family Member, Diane K. Richardson

Masters Theses

Health professionals are interested in families who have a high level of well-being in spite of coping with the difficulties related to caring for a depressed elderly family member at home. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation provided the conceptual framework to explore the hypothesis of a positive relationship between family social support and family well-being, and family internal system resources and family well-being. Thirty caregivers volunteered and were interviewed in their homes using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Scale (F-COPES), the Family Hardiness Index (FHI), and the Family APGAR. Although weak, positive correlations were noted for …

Adolescents' Perceived Importance Of And Satisfaction With Development Needs During Hospitalization, Jaclynn L. Lubbers

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, was to examine the relative importance of needs of hospitalized adolescents. Second, was to measure perceived satisfaction with five selected developmental needs. This study was a replication of earlier work by Gusella, Ward, and Butler (1998). A descriptive design was utilized to answer the research questions. Fifteen hospitalized adolescents admitted to the general pediatrics unit provided the data for this study. Data analysis using summative means was performed to rank and compare importance and perceived satisfaction. Adolescents ranked medical information as their most important need during hospitalization followed by mobility, visits from …

Home Environmental Modifications: Consumer Experience And Satisfaction, Linda L. Mohney

Masters Theses

This study investigated consumer experience and satisfaction in choosing home modifications to accommodate a disability. This study used semi-structured individual interviews and qualitative analysis to gather information from six people with disabilities concerning their experience with and opinion of home modifications. Seven significant themes emerged: a.) the importance of an adviser and self-agency in the modification process; b.) the inability of participants to distinguish OT’s contributions c.) participant’s perception of OTs as part of a uni-disciplinary team; d.) ineffective execution of environmental interventions; e.) inadequate knowledge of applicable laws, standards, and codes; f.) a disability vs. client-centered perspective, and g.) …

Is There A Relationship Between Hardiness And Burnout In Full-Time Staff Nurses Versus Per Diem Nurses?, Carrie Hansen

Masters Theses

Recent advances in technology and the focus on cost-effective care may subject nurses to increasing demands in their jobs. These demands can lead to an increased level of stress and burnout. The concept of hardiness has been linked to burnout in studies among various groups. Hardiness is a set of personality characteristics that may function as a resource in coping with stress. This study examined the relationship between hardiness and burnout in full-time staff nurses and per diem nurses. The Neuman systems model served as a theoretical framework for the concepts of hardiness and burnout. A descriptive correlational design was …

Research Utilization In Hand Therapy Practice Using A World Wide Web Survey Design, Amy D. Heathfield

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate how frequently occupational therapists, certified hand therapists (OT, CHTs) read, integrate, and contribute to occupational therapy research; identify barriers and solutions to research utilization; and identify the effectiveness of World Wide Web (WWW) survey research with OT, CHTs. Of the 306 questionnaires sent, 154 were used (50% response rate). Most OT, CHTs reported reading some OT research, but integrated little into practice. One-half reported participating in research since graduation and 82% of those who did not participate reported interest in future research participation. Barriers to research were lack of time, research was …

The Effectiveness Of An Education Intervention Related To Knowledge Increase Among Adolescents Regarding Dietary Calcium And Prevention Of Osteoporosis, Deborah K. Fast

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention for 6th - 11th grade adolescents regarding dietary calcium and the prevention of osteoporosis. This was a secondary analysis of data from a study that used a pre-experimental pre-test-post-test; no control group design. Eighty-two boys and 102 girls completed the Healthy Bones Knowledge Questionnaire (HBKQ) as a pretest, received an educational intervention based primarily on dietary calcium intake, then completed the questionnaire again as a post-test.

As a group, the students demonstrated a significant increase in correct answers to calcium-related HBKQ items (t = 3.31, p …

The Effects Of Music Therapy On Anxiety In Surgical Patients, Mary Kay Williams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of music therapy on cosmetic/reconstructive surgery patients’ preoperative anxiety. In this descriptive study, 48 patients were assigned to either the experimental or control group Patients in the experimental group listened to patient-selected music for 30 minutes in the preoperative period. A comparison was made between the patients’ vital signs and self-reports of anxiety, which was measured using the state portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. This was a partial replication of a study by Kaempf and Amodei (1989).

Betty Neuman’s health care systems model (1980) served as the theoretical framework …

The Effects Of Music On Pain And Anxiety During Intravenous Insertion In The Emergency Department, Paula R. Nichols

Masters Theses

The majority of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) are anxious and experiencing some degree of pain. Betty Neuman's Neuman system model, provided the theoretical framework to explore and describe the effects of music on the pain and anxiety experienced during peripheral intravenous (IV) insertion in the ED. A convenience sample of 41 subjects completed pain and anxiety visual analogue scales as well as blood pressure and pulse monitoring before and after IV insertion. Twenty-one of those subjects received music during the intervention.

An analysis of covariance was performed for post-procedure pain, anxiety, pulse, and blood pressure. Anxiety was …

The Needs Of Family Members In Crisis, Melanie A. Burghgraef

Masters Theses

The needs of family members of patients with severe brain injury were investigated using a descriptive-correlational design. A convenience sample of family members (N = 23) were surveyed with the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI). Need statements from the CCFNI were rank ordered, and a total score for the CCFNI was calculated. The majority of the top ranked needs consisted of assurance and information needs, which is consistent with other research using the CCFNI. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the results from this study with Lorenz’s study (1995).

Furthermore, this investigation attempted to reveal a relationship between family …

The Perceived Quality Of Life In Persons Performing Peritoneal Dialysis, Paula A. Armstrong

Masters Theses

This purpose of this study was to describe the quality of life in patients who independently performed peritoneal dialysis at home for the treatment of end stage renal disease.

A descriptive design was conducted using the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index-dialysis version. A convenience sample of 31 patients from a Midwest dialysis facility participated in the study Subjects were asked to rate their level of satisfaction and the level of importance of 35 aspects of life. The reported quality of life was reported to be satisfactory There was a moderate positive correlation between the time on dialysis and …

The Correlation Between Quality Of Life And Social Support One Year After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Sarah S. Arnold

Masters Theses

A descriptive correlational design was used to examine the relationship between the level of social support and the perceived quality of life (QOL) of the patient following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) one year after the procedure. A total of 212 surveys were sent to the homes of former patients admitted to a mid-western hospital and 90 were returned. The Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ-85) was used to measure social support and the Quality of Life Index-Cardiac Version (QLI) was used to measure QOL.

The hypothesis of the study asserted that there was a positive correlation between the level of social …

An International View Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Erin S. Wesley

Masters Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of disability in the world. This was a descriptive study implemented through a survey which gathered information on epidemiology, demographics, service delivery, and the role of the SLP in countries outside the United States. Contact persons were notified and asked to distribute surveys to health care professionals who work with TBI. The survey was completed by 14 individuals in 5 different countries. Countries included Brazil, Israel, Italy, South Africa, and United States.

Compelation of this information revealed that there was a large variety of answers both within and between countries. There was …