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Physician Assistant Capstones

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Human Trafficking In Healthcare And The Efforts To Identify And Rescue, Josephine Appeng Apr 2020

Human Trafficking In Healthcare And The Efforts To Identify And Rescue, Josephine Appeng

Physician Assistant Capstones

Given the covert nature of HT, there exists little compelling evidence of its full extent in healthcare. Nonetheless, there is growing development in research, training, and interventions to improve the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers. To apply this in the clinical setting, researchers must demonstrate, for clinicians likely to encounter HT victims, how the knowledge and confidence levels to identify and respond to HT victims compare before and after a training session.


Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease –The Gut Microbiome As A Risk Factor, Kristin J. Gedda Apr 2020

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease –The Gut Microbiome As A Risk Factor, Kristin J. Gedda

Physician Assistant Capstones

As it remains, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been the leading cause of mortality across the globe accounting for as many as 17.9 million deaths per year and projected to increase to more than 23.6 million deaths by 2030.1 Of the CVD related deaths, the majority are due to acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) and cerebral vascular accidents (CVA) and are associated with modifiable risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.2 Lifestyle modifications for decreasing these risk factors have been actively emphasized in healthcare, but do not eliminate the risks entirely. In addition to diet, exercise, and smoking cessation, other …


Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation: A Natural Way To Lessen Symptoms Of Adhd, Chelsea Payne Apr 2020

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation: A Natural Way To Lessen Symptoms Of Adhd, Chelsea Payne

Physician Assistant Capstones

The outcomes of combination omega-3 fatty acid supplementation compared to traditional stimulant treatment alone, on symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity will be examined. If adjunct therapy with fatty acids reduces ADHD symptoms, clinicians may be able to decrease traditional stimulant doses which would, in theory, reduce the negative side effects associated with that drug class and improve the patient’s quality of life.


Does An Increased Q-Angle Increase The Risk Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears In Female Athletes?, Shareikka L. Griffin Mar 2020

Does An Increased Q-Angle Increase The Risk Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears In Female Athletes?, Shareikka L. Griffin

Physician Assistant Capstones

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is the most severe ligament injury to the knee in athletics. Female athletes are at a greater risk for ACL tears than males. A report of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) injury statistics declared that women's basketball players were six times more likely to sustain an ACL tear than their male equivalents. Gender variances that may provide justification for this include anatomic features, as well as distinctive differences in strength between genders.1 Anatomic features include one main variance between the sexes, which is the lower extremity alignment. Alignment of the hip, knee, and ankle …


How Altering Gut Microbiota Affects Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) And Its Associated Gastrointestinal (Gi) Symptoms, Vera Kondrashov Mar 2020

How Altering Gut Microbiota Affects Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) And Its Associated Gastrointestinal (Gi) Symptoms, Vera Kondrashov

Physician Assistant Capstones

If the abnormal gut flora and increased GI symptoms in ASD patients are indicative of a pathophysiologic process causing neurobehavioral disturbances, then perhaps altering the gut flora may improve both the GI and neurobehavioral symptoms. Recent research has explored this possibility and produced findings that are promising for treatment with a different approach, altering the gut microbiome.


Neuroprosthetics: The Future Of Stoke Rehabilitation For Motor Functio, Jill Marie Nowicki Mar 2020

Neuroprosthetics: The Future Of Stoke Rehabilitation For Motor Functio, Jill Marie Nowicki

Physician Assistant Capstones

A fulfilling life can be measured by the capability to perform daily tasks and an individual’s function, ambulation, and independence. Cerebral vascular accident, commonly known as stroke, is the fifth leading cause of death and disability in the United States; however, up to 80% of strokes are preventable.1 Most individuals have been exposed to the impact of stroke, whether it be firsthand or through friends, family, or acquaintances. For survivors and caregivers, the consequences of strokes are monumental physically, mentally, and emotionally. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), about one in six over the age of 65 in …


Are Sexual Minorities At An Increased Risk For Cardiovascular Disease?, Blake Beck Apr 2019

Are Sexual Minorities At An Increased Risk For Cardiovascular Disease?, Blake Beck

Physician Assistant Capstones

Among noncommunicable diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 17.9 million deaths in 2016.1 In the United States the incidence of CVD deaths declined steadily from 1970 to 2014 but halted at 800,000 deaths a year in 2014 and since then has been trending upward.2 Due to an aging population and a dramatic rise in obesity over the past 25 years, the prevalence of CVD in the US is expected to increase by 10% between 2010 and 2030.3 Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that includes coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular …


The Effect Of Meat Vs Non-Meat Diets On Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Including Hypertension, Diabetes, And Obesity, Alyssa Coleman Apr 2019

The Effect Of Meat Vs Non-Meat Diets On Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Including Hypertension, Diabetes, And Obesity, Alyssa Coleman

Physician Assistant Capstones

Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, family history, gender, and obesity are all well-established cardiovascular disease risk factors. Advancements are being made to investigate the role of diet as a modifiable risk factor, and to determine if adults who consume meat compared to those who do not consume meat are at higher risk for hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, thus increasing their cardiovascular disease risk. Because animal protein is ubiquitous in the modern diet, it is imperative that determinations are made in regard to either its benefits or its contribution to the burden of chronic disease. The clinical application of this research is to …


The Consequences Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Health And Implications For The Future, Alison Dutton Apr 2019

The Consequences Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Health And Implications For The Future, Alison Dutton

Physician Assistant Capstones

One of the most significant aspects of healthcare that is interwoven among complaints and their management, no matter the specialty, is mental health. The full spectrum and severity of mental health conditions is important, but one area that every member of society can relate to is stress. The mere existence of being a human confounded with the everyday demands of society creates a recipe for people of all ages and backgrounds to feel stress and anxiety at some point in their lives. Stress can evolve from an individual’s family dynamic, demands of one’s profession, societal position, sexuality, among many other …


Is Cesarean Birth A Risk Factor For Childhood Obesity?, John Hosley Apr 2019

Is Cesarean Birth A Risk Factor For Childhood Obesity?, John Hosley

Physician Assistant Capstones

Most would agree that obesity is among one of the greatest challenges that providers face in healthcare. Most often the focus is on diet and activity as the primary factors responsible for weight management. Is it possible that the type of birth method predisposes a child to a life of uphill battles in management of weight and comorbidities? Overweight and obese children likely develop into obese adults increasing the likelihood of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease at a younger age.4 Is there global evidence that otherwise healthy babies, who have been born by c-section compared with those born naturally, are …


Conservative Vs Surgical Management Of Congenital Acl Aplasia--Which Is More Effective In Improving Pain And Stability?, Alexa Mull Apr 2019

Conservative Vs Surgical Management Of Congenital Acl Aplasia--Which Is More Effective In Improving Pain And Stability?, Alexa Mull

Physician Assistant Capstones

There is currently no consensus on the treatment of congenital absence of the ACL. The rarity of congenital ACL aplasia precludes large randomized controlled trials which might determine what therapy is superior. This paper examines the limited medical literature available to compare surgical vs conservative therapies in patients with congenital ACL aplasia in order to produce a practical recommendation. Review of the literature shows inconsistent outcomes in terms of stability and pain after ACL construction and conservative management in patients with congenital ACL aplasia. Conservative measures may be sufficient to resolve symptoms of pain and instability but are not always …


The Effectiveness Of Bariatric Surgery For Weight Loss In Morbidly Obese Young Adult Patients, Edgar Mercado Mar 2019

The Effectiveness Of Bariatric Surgery For Weight Loss In Morbidly Obese Young Adult Patients, Edgar Mercado

Physician Assistant Capstones

Obesity is a worldwide issue that contributes to the development of many diseases including diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disease, and certain cancers1. By 2030 an estimated 38% of the world’s adult population will be overweight (BMI>25) and another 20% will be obese (BMI≥ 30)1. Many of those individuals may fall into the morbidly obese category which is defined as 100 pounds over his/her ideal body weight, has a BMI≥ 40 or more, or ≥35 and experiencing obesity-related health diseases. Fortunately, several approaches to managing obesity are currently available. Some of the more popular methods include pharmaceutical therapy and …


Indicators For Prolonged Recovery From Concussion In Adolescents, Nicola Juri Mar 2019

Indicators For Prolonged Recovery From Concussion In Adolescents, Nicola Juri

Physician Assistant Capstones

Each year, an estimated 3.8 million concussions occur in the United States related to sports and recreational activity.1 Great gains have been made in the management of concussion, putting it in the spotlight as a leading public health crisis. The highest percentage of sports-related concussion occurs in those under the age of 21.1 From initial time of injury to return to activity, the common definition of clinical recovery, is approximately 2 weeks for adults and 4 weeks in children under the age of 18. This is in stark contrast to the previously held understanding that all concussions, age independent, were …


In Individuals That Are Genetically Predisposed To Colon Cancer, How Does High Intake Of Fish Oil Compared To Low Fish Oil Intake Affect The Risk Of Developing Colon Cancer, Tatiana Mudrenko Mar 2019

In Individuals That Are Genetically Predisposed To Colon Cancer, How Does High Intake Of Fish Oil Compared To Low Fish Oil Intake Affect The Risk Of Developing Colon Cancer, Tatiana Mudrenko

Physician Assistant Capstones

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer type in the United States and the third world wide.1-2 Mortality rates have decreased over the years due to early screening and improvements in treatment; however, the total cancer deaths worldwide are expected to rise. The predicted increase in global CRC deaths is explained not only by population growth and aging but also by risk factors such as lifestyle.3 Even though colorectal cancer can be genetically inherited, major evidence shows that dietary factors can modify the risk of developing it. Implementing appropriate diet and early screening in individuals who are genetically …


Can Technological Advances, And Better Perioperative Care, Shift Total Knee Arthroplasty To A Younger Age Range?, Shaun M. Ring Mar 2019

Can Technological Advances, And Better Perioperative Care, Shift Total Knee Arthroplasty To A Younger Age Range?, Shaun M. Ring

Physician Assistant Capstones

Some of the advances could increase the life span of knee prosthetic implants to 20-25 years. Typical life span for most knee replacements is speculated to be around 15-20 years. This raises the question, that with the increase in technology, why is total knee arthroplasty not able to be performed in a younger population, 40-55 years of age, on a regular basis? It is frequently assumed that performing a TKA is not medically responsible in a patient younger than 55-60 years old, because of the possibility that they could need a costly revision in the future. Most of the studies, …