Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Paging: A Collection Of Short Stories, Shruthi Deivasigamani, Katherine Hubbard, Ma

Phase 1

Introduction: Paging is a series of thematically interconnected short stories that take place at a single fictional urban hospital center. The guiding questions that the stories explore are twofold: other than doctors and patients, what kinds of people spend their time in a hospital? And, what kind of place is the hospital for these people?

Methods: The background research for Paging began by exploring written works of fiction, nonfiction, and memoir set in hospitals. After I had developed a set of guiding research questions, I spent the summer at a major hospital in New York City, where I was able …

Design Thinking For Community-Provider Collaboration: Designing A Culture- And User-Friendly Refugee Wellness Center, Ellen Solomon, Oluwatoni Okuboyejo, Shandon Coffman, Brandon Joa, Bon Ku, Md, Mpp

Phase 1

Background: Designing South Philadelphia’s first permanent healthcare facility dedicated to refugee health presents a unique opportunity to integrate cultural sensitivity with principles of community health. Design thinking (human-centered design) is a promising strategy to address health and social justice concerns through the development of innovative products and services that prioritize population needs. This project utilized design thinking to inform suggestions to the design of Hansjörg Wyss Wellness Center that promote a culturally sensitive and welcoming environment in order to improve healthcare outcomes for the refugee population in Philadelphia.

Methods: Standard qualitative data gathering methods were used to gather insight into …

Along A River In The Wilds: A Podcast, Rhianna Hibbler, Howard Rabinowitz, Bob Motley

Phase 1

Introduction: The American urban-rural divide has been further magnified by discourse surrounding the 2016 election. Through this project we aimed to uncover stories of people from three small towns in rural north central Pennsylvania who are identifying and overcoming challenges by harnessing their region’s strengths in order to improve local social, economic, educational, and health outcomes.

Methods: Interviews were recorded with 10 local change-makers. Core topics included Community Initiatives, Education, and Healthcare, within the communities of Lock Haven, Jersey Shore, and Renovo. Edited podcast episodes are released under “Along a River in the Wilds,” available on major platforms including Apple …

The Effect Of Reflection Rounds On Medical Students’ Empathy, Erica Westlake, Jennifer Desantis, Med, Fred Markham, Md

Phase 1

Background: A decline in empathy has been noted in medical students in medical education and training. This decline raises concerns because empathic physician-patient interactions positively impact health outcomes and patient satisfaction. We tested the hypothesis that Reflection Rounds would increase empathy scores of third-year medical students.

Methods: Third-year students entering their Family and Community Medicine (FCM) clerkship completed the Jefferson Physician Scale of Empathy – Student Version (JPSE-S) at the onset of their clerkship; students at the Jefferson Campus site were assigned to the experimental group and students at Affiliate Sites were assigned to the control group. The experimental group …

We Was Somebody, Kyle Rodgers, Abigail Kay, Md

Phase 1

As the number of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Philadelphia increases, more healthcare professionals find themselves treating patients suffering from IV drug addictions. Unfortunately, many of these busy healthcare professionals have little education on the biochemistry of addiction and obstacles between people who inject drugs (PWID) and their recovery. We Was Somebody, a fictional play inspired by the stories of PWID in Kensington, Philadelphia, aims to promote understanding and empathy for the complexity of addiction and ultimately improve the quality of healthcare provided to the human beings affected by it.

The content of the play comes from peer-reviewed …

Music In Medicine: Enhancing Emotion Recognition In Medical Students, Grace Chon, Debra Lew Harder, Md, Dma

Phase 1

Previous studies have shown that visual art courses for medical students have improved their diagnostic skills. A music course in a similar fashion may enhance their ability to recognize patient emotion in the patient’s voice. Identifying patient emotion via auditory cues allows future physicians to appropriately respond to patients’ mental states and provide empathetic care. This study proposes that medical students who complete a course in recognizing emotional cues in music will outperform a control group in correctly identifying emotion in the human voice.

Participants were randomly divided into control and experimental groups, in which only the latter completed a …

Therapeutic Art For Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Alexandra Kocsik, Silva Markovic-Plese, Md, Phd

Phase 1

Introduction: Depression is more prevalent in individuals with MS than in the average population, which presents complications of quality of life beyond simply the primary disease process. This project aims to explore the immediate emotional benefits of therapeutic art sessions for individuals with MS, in addition to exploring the feasibility of reducing concomitant depression in this population with therapeutic art alongside standard medical therapy.

Methods: Therapeutic art sessions were held with 3 support groups of 5 to 12 individuals with MS. Participants were initially prompted with a writing exercise regarding how they perceive themselves, and then prompted to paint a …

Improvements On The Inhaler, Jesse Evensky, Bradley Freid, Kabir Malkani, Alex Reibstein, Gregory C. Kane, Md

Phase 1

Background: Inhalers are a commonplace in American health care and deliver crucial drugs to patients with COPD and asthma. Inhaler use has been shown to be unsatisfactory among patients resulting in ineffective medication delivery. The goal of this project was to improve the inhaler design for increased effectiveness and ease of use.

Methods: Our team first interviewed a Pulmonologist regarding patient inhaler use. Dr. Harry Kane demonstrated the proper use of an inhaler as well and described errors in inhaler use are due to patient technique. A variety of inhalers currently available were examined and were compared for ease of …

Color-Changing Device To Improve Adherence To Foley Catheter Replacement Protocols And Reduce Urinary Tract Infection Frequency, Kurt Hill, Alexander Straus, Ms, Bryn Cross, Jason M. Fields, Md

Phase 1

Background: Foley catheter-associated UTI’s (CAUTI’s) represent a driving cause of cystitis, bacteremia and sepsis in the hospital setting. Accordingly, the CDC has identified prolonged indwelling time as the foremost risk factor for CAUTI’s. However, the fundamental design of the Foley has remained unchanged for over eighty years. Hospital-specific protocols do currently exist for the removal of infection-prone catheters; however, in practice it remains commonplace for catheters to be ignored, increasing the risk of life-threatening infection. Our design process addressed this by creating a color-changing alarm device that would alert providers when a catheter has been left in beyond protocol, is …

Applying Design Thinking For Community-Provider Collaboration: Designing A Culture- And User-Friendly Refugee Wellness Center, Brandon Joa, Ellen Solomon, Oluwatoni Okuboyejo, Shandon Coffman, Bon Ku, Md, Mpp

Phase 1

Purpose: This case study demonstrates the application of design thinking to the process of building a culturally sensitive health center for refugees and immigrants.

Background: Refugee communities present a growing underserved population. Designing South Philadelphia’s first permanent healthcare facility dedicated to immigrant and refugee health presents a unique opportunity to integrate cultural sensitivity with principles of community health. Design thinking is a promising yet underutilized strategy for addressing health and social justice concerns in an efficient way that improves both provider and patient satisfaction. A project was conducted to utilize design thinking to make suggestions to the design of Hansjörg …

Scavenger Of Waste Anesthetic, Cary Hess, Jonathan Karp, Delara Kiani, Corey Jameson, Michael E. Mahla, Mary Herman, Dietrich Gravenstein, Robert S. Pugliese

Phase 1

Waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) are associated with spontaneous miscarriages in pregnant persons, an increased risk of congenital abnormalities, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and cognitive impairment. Through monitoring anesthesiologists we found levels of WAGs to be 5-10x the current standard inside the OR. Currently, no solutions exist for the mitigation of WAG release. Remora is a solution to removing WAGs that fits on top of existing anesthesia masks. A flexible skirt is joined to a rigid ring, which deforms under hand pressure to facilitate effective hand-to-mask placement. The suction system is plugged into an unused suction port to create an area under the …

3d Printing Of Bone Spurs Before Surgical Removal, Katelyn Koons, John Paul Prodoehl, Matthew Chadwick, Chris Li, Lauren Schlegel, Jeffrey Henstenburg, Md

Phase 1

Project Background: In the United States, 2% of the population will experience bone spurs, which will not resolve on their own.¹ Of people over 60 who experience a bone spur, 40% will require medical attention.² The soft tissue visualization appears to be difficult with imaging, leaving increased chance of poor balancing of the knee replacement. Osteophyte structure continues to be difficult to visualize in a 3D way and without their proper removal, can lead to increased rate of revision surgery. Having a 3D model of the bone spur may decrease risk of complication and enhance soft tissue modification …

Creating A Noise-Reducing, Wearable Intervention For Newborns In The Nicu, Mohammad Rasool, Alexandra A. Mccullough, Alison Romisher, Robert S. Pugliese, Pharmd, Bcps, Bon Ku, Md, Mpp

Phase 1

Background: Excessive auditory stimulation can have negative effects on the growth and development of newborn babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that newborns should not be exposed to sounds in excess of 45dB while they are in the hospital, however noise levels in NICUs across the country are often between 50-100dB. A design project was conducted to develop an intervention that could reduce infant exposure to excessive noise.

Methods: Neonatologists, nurses, audiologists, music therapists, sound designers, soft materials experts, and medical device designers were interviewed and consulted throughout the design process. A 24-hour sound recording using a REED-SD-4023 meter …

Improving The Inhaler, Kabir Malkani, Jesse Evensky, Bradley Freid, Alex Reibstein, Gregory C. Kane, Md

Phase 1

Background: It is estimated that about 1 in 10 Americans use inhalers to deliver inhaled drugs for respiratory disease such as COPD and asthma. Some studies have shown that up to 84% of people use their inhaler incorrectly, which can cause long term problems and acute flareups. Therefore, improving the inhaler design to allow for ease of use was the main focus of our project.

Methods: We had a discussion with a pulmonary critical care attending who provided information on proper patient inhaler use and common user errors. He also gave us a sample of different inhalers on the market …

Applying Design Thinking For Community-Provider Collaboration: Designing A Culture- And User-Friendly Refugee Wellness Center, Oluwatoni Okuboyejo, Ellen Solomon, Shandon Coffman, Brandon Joa, Bon Ku, Md, Mpp

Phase 1

Background: Designing South Philadelphia’s first permanent healthcare facility dedicated to immigrant and refugee health presents a unique opportunity to integrate cultural sensitivity with principles of community health. Philadelphia is a city saturated with many medical institutions and hospitals, yet there are large health disparities within miles of each other. Bringing together healthcare providers with a common goal of improving community health needs from a cultural standpoint can be tasking, even when all are on the same page. Design thinking is an underexplored perspective that has the potential to address these concerns in an efficient way that improves both provider and …

3d Printed Liver Models As A Tool To Improve Pre-Surgical Consultation And Enhance Patient Consent, Miranda Sill, Nathan Ott, Robert S. Pugliese, Pharmd, Bcps

Phase 1

Background: 3D printing has recently emerged as an effective, cost-efficient tool for healthcare innovation. We propose the fabrication of 3D printed, patient-specific liver models as a pre-surgical planning and communication tool for liver resection surgery.

Methods: Creation of the model began with the segmentation of the patient's abdominal CT scan, where specific sections of their anatomy, including the blood vessels (portal and hepatic systems), gallbladder, and tumor (when applicable), were digitally segmented. Each structure was then printed in a unique color using polylactic acid (PLA) plastic filament on an Ultimaker 5s printer. Once printed the components were arranged anatomically and …

Color-Changing Device To Improve Adherence To Foley Catheter Replacement Protocols And Reduce Urinary Tract Infection Frequency, Alexander Straus, Ms, Kurt Hill, Bryn Cross, Jason M. Fields, Md

Phase 1

Background: Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are a major source of patient morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings and have a significant financial impact on the healthcare system. Many hospitals have clinical protocols in place to continually reassess the necessity of indwelling foley catheters and remove them if their use is no longer warranted. However, it is still common for indwelling foley catheters to be overlooked and remain in place, even after meeting criteria for removal. A design project was conducted that sought to improve adherence to clinical protocols, and reduce frequency of CAUTIs, by creating a color-changing device …

3d Printing Of Knee Models To Decrease Or Time And Reduce Revisional Surgery In Total Knee Arthroplasty (Tka), Lauren Schlegel, John Paul Prodoehl, Matthew Chadwick, Chris Li, Katelyn Koons, Jeffrey Henstenburg, Md

Phase 1

Project Background: Osteophytes are a common problem, affecting 2% of the United States population. For many elderly people, these osteophytes will cause them to seek medical attention. Due to the 2-D nature of MRIs and CT scans, it can be difficult to gain a complete understanding of the complicated soft tissue structures surrounding the joint when performing a Total Knee Arthroplasty(TKA). Without proper removal of osteophytes and correct soft tissue balancing, there is an increased rate of revisional surgery. By utilizing a 3-D model preoperatively and within the OR, surgeons can visualize various aspects of the knee to determine what …

Improving The Inhaler, Alex Reibstein, Jesse Evensky, Bradley Freid, Kabir Malkani, Gregory C. Kane, Md

Phase 1

Background: Inhalers used to dispense various pharmacological agents play an important role in the care of patients with pulmonary disease. These pharmacological agents can be very effective, however, many patients that use inhalers often deliver these drugs incorrectly or in a sub-optimal manner. Our project aims to improve the design of the inhaler in order to increase the effectiveness of drug delivery and also ease of patient use.

Methods: We interviewed a critical care pulmonologist regarding patient inhaler use and compliance. This physician offered information about proper inhaler use and described common errors that patients encounter when attempting to dispense …

Patient-Specific 3d Printed Liver Models For Pre-Operative Planning And Improved Patient Adherence, Nathan Ott, Miranda Sill, Robert S. Pugliese, Pharmd, Bcps, Ashesh P. Shah, Md

Phase 1

Project Background: 3D anatomical relationships in the liver are not always visually accessible for surgeons performing resections even with advanced imaging options. Firm understanding of these relationships is essential for timely procedures, which can improve patient outcomes and lower hospital expenses. Patient-specific 3D modeling has existed for some time, though it is costly. New cost-effective techniques have surfaced which may yield opportunities for more effective preoperative planning in liver surgery and improved patient adherence.

Methods: Digital patient-specific 3D reconstruction of a liver was completed by interpolating data from MRI scans using 3D Slicer, a segmenting program. The liver model was …

3d Printing Of Bone Spurs Before Surgical Removal During Total Knee Arthroplasty, Chris Li, Jeffrey Henstenburg, Md, Katelyn Koons, John Paul Prodoehl, Matthew Chadwick, Lauren Schlegel

Phase 1

Background: In the United States, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most common performed orthopedic surgery, with over 700,000 cases per year. Overall, 21-25% underwent revision due to instability. Incorrect soft tissue balancing during the procedure can lead to improper alignment, flexion, and extension. Visualization of osteophytes in a 3D manner prior to removal is difficult and poses significant risks for improper balancing on TKA. The purpose of the study is to determine whether the utilization of 3D osteophyte models is beneficial to Orthopaedic surgeons in the course of care, specifically with regard to improving outcomes, decreasing complication rates, and …

Device For The Capture And Extraction Of Waste Anesthetic Gas, Jonathan Karp, Cary Hess, Delara Kiani, Corey Jameson, Robert S. Pugliese, Michael E. Mahla, Dietrich Gravenstein, Mary Herman

Phase 1

Background: Leaks occur often throughout the process of delivering inhaled anesthesia prior to and during surgery. Leaks typically occur around the patient’s mouth, nose, and eyes. Potent inhaled anesthetics (PIAs) include halothane, sevoflurane, desflurane, and isoflurane. All PIAs, to one degree or another, pose hazards to human health. PIAs are associated with reproductive toxicity, spontaneous miscarriages in pregnant persons as well as an increased risk of congenital abnormalities in offspring. In other words, PIAs are thought to be both abortifacients as well as teratogens. PIAs are also associated with hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cognitive impairment, as well as increased incidence of malignancy. …

Color Changing Device To Improve Adherence To Foley Catheter Replacement Protocols And Reduce Urinary Tract Infection Frequency, Bryn Cross, Kurt Hill, Alexander Straus, Ms, Jason M. Fields, Md

Phase 1

Background: Millions of hospital-acquired UTI’s are caused by indwelling urinary catheters. The longer a catheter is left in, the greater the risk for infection. Catheters are often left in longer than necessary because physicians are not aware of them or the original indications for placement are not reevaluated. We hypothesize our device will draw attention to indwelling catheters and prompt re-evaluation and removal if necessary.

Methods: We will design a light strip that can be attached to the catheter bag and will turn on to blue after 5 days of placement and purple after 8 days. This will call the …

Design Thinking For Community-Provider Collaboration: Designing A Culture- And User-Friendly Refugee Wellness Center, Shandon Coffman, Oluwatoni Okuboyejo, Ellen Solomon, Brandon Joa, Bon Ku, Md, Mpp

Phase 1

Background: South Philadelphia has a growing immigrant and refugee population, increasing the need for a healthcare facility dedicated to refugee health that integrates cultural sensitivity with principles of community health. Design thinking (human-centered design) is a promising strategy to address health and social justice concerns through the development of innovative products and services that prioritize population needs. This project utilized design thinking to inform suggestions to the design of Hansjörg Wyss Wellness Center that promote a culturally sensitive and welcoming environment in order to improve healthcare outcomes for the refugee population in Philadelphia.

Methods: Standard qualitative data gathering methods were …

3d Printing Of Bone Spurs Before Surgical Removal, Matthew Chadwick, John Paul Prodoehl, Katelyn Koons, Chris Li, Lauren Schlegel, Jeffrey Henstenburg, Md

Phase 1

Project Background: In the US alone, total knee arthroplasty is the most common performed orthopedic surgery, with over 700,000 cases per year.1 Overall, 21-25% underwent revision due to instability.2 The stability of a TKA depends largely on soft tissue balance for proper alignment in flexion and extension. Soft tissue balancing in TKA depends on posterior femoral condylar osteophytes, which prevent full extension of the knee and increase tension posteriorly. Pre-operative soft tissue visualization is difficult and this leaves an increased chance for implant failure and revision surgery. Having a 3D model of the bone spur before and during the surgery …

Narrative Medicine: A Reflective Writing Workshop Series For Interprofessional Healthcare Students At Thomas Jefferson University, Carly S. Slater, Ma, Ms, Brooke Salzman, Md, Rosemary Frasso, Phd, Cph

Phase 1

Introduction: Narrative medicine (NM) teaches reflective writing and close reading to help healthcare professionals think critically about themselves and others in order to offer more effective, empathic care. Few reports of NM methods document its value to facilitating collaboration and communication across students of different professional backgrounds. This study examines the effects of NM workshops on Thomas Jefferson University interprofessional healthcare students, and their utility to achieving these aims: 1) supporting thoughtfulness, mindfulness, and curiosity; 2) supporting the development and use of narrative in understanding the lives/contexts for self and others; 3) improving interactions and communication with others in professional …

Talking Past Dementia: Communication, Creative Aging, And Timeslips, David Ney, Salvatore Mangione, Md

Phase 1

Background: The world as it is in 2019 offers no cures for dementia, a disease that is uniquely terrifying. Today, 5.5 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease, a specific type of dementia; that figure is expected to grow to 14 million by the year 2050. When a disease is common, but has no known causes or treatments, stigma grows. TimeSlips is an improvisational storytelling method founded by Dr. Anne Basting to push back against the stigmas encircling dementia and to give people with dementia and their loved ones a medium for connection and expression. People with dementia often struggle with …

Hoping To Die Well: An Exploration Of The Good Death, Emily Folse, Thomas Smith, Phd

Phase 1

Introduction: Many healthcare providers are uncomfortable and ill-equipped to talk about death with terminally ill patients and their families. This often results in unnecessary, aggressive medical interventions at the end of life and deaths discordant with patients’ wishes. In order to help patients die better deaths, it is first necessary to determine the character of a good death.

Methods: The good death was considered from secular and Catholic perspectives because religion is personally important to the author and many patients in the US. Features of a good death were elucidated by careful reading of scientific and humanistic literature and conversing …

Stop Requested: A Collection Of Als Poetry, Brittany File, Katherine Hubbard, Ma

Phase 1

Introduction: This project aims to use poetry to convey the lessons, challenges, and experiences encountered by patients in the Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This will not only allow for individual patients to freely discuss, reminisce, and reflect on their journey with this disease, but distributing the collection to our community will aid in a better understanding of ALS patients, serve to humanize ALS, and deepen the empathic beyond between community members and patients. Additionally, it will create an environment in which both myself and physicians can reflect on the human experience and how disease …

Renewing Hearts: Catholic Perspectives In Valve Replacement Surgery For Those Who Use Intravenous Drugs, Kimberly Feeney, Robert Perkel, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: The incidence of infectious endocarditis has been increasing, particularly among those with a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU). Although current bioethics literature supports valve surgery as treatment for this patient population, clinical guidelines and literature continues to provide unclear recommendations for physicians. Catholic bioethics may provide a different perspective to re-contextualize the recommendations of secular ethics.

Methods: A PubMed search was used to gain background information regarding the incidence of infectious endocarditis and current treatment guidelines, as well as historical and current ethical considerations. Search terms included: “infectious endocarditis,” “IE,” “intravenous drug use,” “IVDU,” “ethics.” Related citations were …