Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Positive Impact Of Reducing Polypharmacy On The Quality Of Life For Older Adults With Serious Illness, Stephanie Orlando

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem

The rising prevalence of chronic health conditions, the aging of the population, and advances in healthcare technology have contributed to the rampant over-prescribing of medications and the prescribing of potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMS) in community-dwelling older adults. Additionally, reluctance by the medical community to deprescribe and resistance among patients and their caregivers due to misperceptions about withdrawing treatment has further perpetuated the problem.

PICOT

The PICOT question for this project was, in community-dwelling older adults over age 60 receiving palliative care, does the implementation of an interprofessional deprescribing intervention compared to standard care by a home-based medical care …

Investigating The Relationship Between Consistent Workout Regimen On Quality Of Life Among Crossfitters In South Mississippi, Christian Glass

Honors Theses

Robust literature exists to support the utility of CrossFit in improving metabolic and cardiovascular well-being. However, a metaphorical chasm exists not in the study of the physiological effects of CrossFit but in the psychological effects, namely quality of life (QOL). This thesis aimed to offer an installment into this gap by investigating trends among a population of 81 CrossFitters in south Mississippi. To best fulfill this task, a quantitative study was conducted using a 32-item survey composed of a mixture of questions from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL- BREF) to assess reported quality of life …

Effects Of Hope Intervention On Hope And Quality Of Life In Senior People Who Live Alone, Sophia Abraham

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

In the United States, there is a growing number of seniors who frequently present with increased risk for reduced hope and quality of life (QOL). Quality of life in the senior population is a world-wide concern and it is believed to be directly associated with their well-being. Senior people living alone experience a higher degree of depression, reduced hope, isolation, falls, and increased mortality. The literature indicates that there is a significant relationship between the level of hope and QOL. Hope is an inner source that plays a vital part in how an individual think and behaves. Hope shapes …

Using Family Focused-Care Solutions To Improve Child’S Quality Of Life, Joshua M. Del Sol

Nursing | Senior Theses

Chronic illness in children impacts not only themselves but their families too. Everyone in the family supports each other and provides each other with pretty much all our physiological needs including our emotional needs. Parents/caregivers are the role models for their young children and really shape the person they become because basic values and their early relationships are formed. A family provides that consistent balance in our life that is the center of our life at a young age. When children are diagnosed with a chronic illness, parents may feel responsible, ashamed, guilty, or angry. Families may turn on each …

The Impact Of Self-Care On Nursing Faculty Burnout And Worklife, Jennifer J. Harrington

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Nursing faculty are relied upon to prepare the nursing workforce of the future. The stress and pressure felt by nursing faculty impacts their ability to practice self-care, and this threatens their ability to perform optimally. Lack of self-care can lead to diminished quality of life, and ultimately burnout. Feelings of burnout and decreased quality of life, which are precursors to faculty turnover, further perpetuates the nursing shortage. A Quality Improvement (QI) Pilot Initiative, with an evidence-based design methodology was implemented within one university’s nursing department, located in a western state, to address this problem. Using a pre-post survey design and …

Early Integration Of Palliative Care With Curative Oncology Treatment For Patients With Advanced Cancer: Implications For Clinical Nursing Practice, Rhea Rughani

Honors Projects

Palliative care, though clinically established to improve health-related quality of life measures for patients with advanced illness, remains underutilized and largely limited to end of life care. This project aims to inform oncology nursing practice through the analysis of literature supporting the early integration of palliative care with standard curative oncology treatment for patients with clinically advanced cancer. Informed by relevant research, clinical practice guidelines, and improved specialty palliative care training, oncology nurses and nurse practitioners are ideally situated to advocate for and initiate early palliative care integration, to holistically improve the standard approach to complex cancer care.

Development Of A Nurse Practitioner Driven Program For Cardiology Providers To Increase Knowledge And Awareness Of Neurodevelopmental Assessment Needs In Children With Congenital Heart Defects, Michele Readman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Children diagnosed with congenital heart defects are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental delays. Timely referral of patients to a neurodevelopmental clinic for initial evaluation and referrals to support services can improve learning outcomes, provide early intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders, and mediate factors affecting low quality of life. Nationally, a substantial proportion of pediatric cardiologists are not referring children for neurodevelopmental evaluation. A review of patient referrals to a Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Clinic within an urban children’s hospital demonstrated an opportunity to improve provider awareness and knowledge of referral recommendations. Using the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Quality Care, an …

Comparative Analysis Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Support Group Type On Quality Of Life, Mary Louise Giles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

When individuals are diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), they tend to go through emotional, psychological, and physical anguish that requires support. Studies have shown that a support group can provide SLE patients with an outlet in which they can share firsthand feelings and experiences and receive emotional support but it is not known if how the individual with SLE accesses online or face to face support makes a difference. The purpose of this study, guided by the Chronic Care Model, was to determine if there were differences in quality of life (QoL) for persons with SLE participating in an …

A Systematic Review Of Interventions For Family Caregivers Who Care For Patients With Advanced Cancer At Home., Soojung Ahn, Rafael D. Romo, Cathy L. Campbell

Nursing | Faculty Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: To examine the characteristics of interventions to support family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS: Five databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) were searched for English language articles of intervention studies utilizing randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs, reporting caregiver-related outcomes of interventions for family caregivers caring for patients with advanced cancer at home.

RESULTS: A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Based on these studies, the types of interventions were categorized into psychosocial, educational, or both. The characteristics of interventions varied. Most interventions demonstrated statistically significant results of reducing psychological …

Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction, Jennifer Klubnik

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a chronic disease that contributes to high morbidity and mortality. This poster will display and discuss HFrEF and effects of this chronic disease on the population. Pathophysiology, treatment modalities, and implications for the advanced practice nurse (APN) will be discussed. Different categories of heart failure will be discussed to compare and contrast the specific indications for HFrEF. The specifics of cardiac remodeling and molecular changes that occur with HFrEF are considered when deciding which treatment modalities to implement. HFrEF treatment focuses on quality of life and mitigation of symptoms. The APN is …

The Effect Of Empathy On Compassion Fatigue And Quality Of Life On Bachelor Of Science Nursing Students, Parker E. Intonato

Honors College Theses

Empathy is a skill that nurses and nursing students must use with their patients to provide high quality care and build rapport with patients. Although, the prolonged use of empathy has been shown to increase compassion fatigue in nurses and decrease quality of life. Empathy has been described as the ability to feel and understand what another is experiencing. Compassion fatigue can be described as the natural response of emotions and behaviors that occur after experiencing and suffering the traumatic experiences of others. The effects of compassion fatigue call into question quality of life (QOL) issues. Quality of life includes …

A Conceptual Definition Of Quality Of Life For People Living With An Implanted, Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Device, David Dwyer

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: People with advanced heart failure experience persistently severe symptoms with increasingly impaired capacity and quality of life. Treatment options beyond palliative care are limited to heart transplantation or implantation with a mechanical pump that replaces the weakened heart’s function. The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) serves as a temporary bridge to transplant or bridge to recovery, or a permanent replacement as destination therapy (DT). While DT-LVAD recipients initially accept the device to extend life, there is a gap in understanding how DT-LVAD recipients define a life worth living, and how nursing and the health care team can help reach …

Quality Of Life Of Lung Cancer Patients, Prasobh U. K, Soumya S Ms

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Lung cancer is one of the commonest cancers where the individual’s quality of life is affected. Objectives: To assess the Quality of Life of Lung Cancer patients using quality of life rating scale. Methods: The descriptive survey method was used. The study was done among 30 patients of selected hospitals at Calicut, Kerala using EORTC QLQ C-30 quality of life questionnaire version 3 with lung cancer module EORTC- LC-13. Results: Findings show that the mean QoL of patients with lung cancer was 52.27, the mean cognitive function 76.70, the mean emotional function 53.70, the mean role functioning score was 40.0, …

Medication Self-Management Behaviors Of Community-Dwelling Adults With Chronic Disease, Michelle Yvonne Williams

Theses and Dissertations

MEDICATION SELF-MANAGEMENT BEHAVIORS OF COMMUNITY- DWELLING

ADULTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASE

by

Michelle Y. Williams, PhD, MSN, RN

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2019

Under the Supervision of Professor Rachel Schiffman, PhD, RN, FAAN

Chronic conditions threaten public health, individuals, and families and affect all areas of a person’s life and require significant self-management from the individual with the disease, care from the healthcare provider and team, and support from the individual’s family. The relationship of selected risk and protective factors and communication with healthcare providers to medication self-management behaviors and quality of life was examined in 616 adults with chronic disease …

The Effects Of Learning Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction On Psychosocial Variables And Hba1c In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Denise Van Sant - Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS OF AN ONLINE MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION INTERVENTION ON ADOLESCENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES

By

Denise E. Van Sant – Smith

Date: 4-5-2019

Dissertation Supervised by Linda Goodfellow, PhD, RN, FAAN

Background: Stress has been shown to increase glucose levels through a sympathetic physiological response resulting in a release of chemicals such as adrenalin and cortisol, a response which results in an even greater need for insulin. Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes may not be able to change or decrease the amount of stress in their lives but they may be able to …

Developing An Evidence-Based Supportive Services Program For Cancer Survivors In A Private Oncology Practice, Joseph Ellul

Doctoral Projects

Improvements in cancer treatment have led to a rapidly increasing survivor population. In response, multiple side effects of cancer and cancer treatment as well as the various wellness needs of survivors have been recognized. Survivorship programs have been developed to care for survivors with residual effects of cancer and the side effects of treatment; however, additional support is needed. The purpose of the project was to highlight the need for a comprehensive supportive services program for the cancer survivor population and describe the steps that were required to successfully develop the program. The clinical question addressed by the project was: …

Associations Between Physical Activity, Health-Related Quality Of Life, Regimen Adherence, And Glycemic Control In Jordanian Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Yousef Aljawarneh

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) display a greater than two-fold higher risk of developing microvascular and macrovascular complications compared with the non-diabetic population and the risk increases markedly as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) increases. The majority of the findings on the associated factors with improved glycemic control are geared toward Western population with a clear lack of studies on Middle Eastern populations.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of Physical Activity (PA), Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and regimen adherence on glycemic control in Jordanian adolescents with T1D.

Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional design. Jordanian adolescents …

The Adaptation To Head And Neck Cancer In The Veteran Population, Diane Marie Sobecki-Ryniak

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

ADAPTATION TO HEAD AND NECK CANCER IN THE VETERAN POPULATION: A PILOT STUDY

By

DIANE SOBECKI-RYNIAK

December 2018

Advisor: Dr. Margaret Campbell

Major: Nursing

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Post-traumatic stress disorder in the head and neck cancer veteran population may present a challenge to adaptation during diagnosis and treatment of illness. The evaluation of post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and quality of life were examined and correlated against symptom occurrence and triggering of post traumatic symptoms across experiences. A significant correlation between PTSD-C and PTSD-S was found (r = 0.91, p = 0.001); there was a non-significant correlation …

Treatment-Related Decisional Conflict, Quality Of Life, And Comorbid Illness In Older Adults With Cancer, Jeannette Kates, Phd, Msn, Gnp-Bc

College of Nursing Posters

As the aging population in the nation increases, cancer diagnoses in this age group will also increase. The many chronic medical conditions associated with older adults are confounded by a diagnosis of cancer. Older adults with cancer are at risk for physical, psychological, and functional decline as a result of not only the cancer, but also the cancer treatment. In their current research agenda, the Oncology Nursing Society identified the need for research related to multiple comorbidities in older adults with cancer. This study utilized a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design to explore the relationships between and among treatment-related decisional …

Levels Of Distress Among Women Veterans Attending A Women’S Health Specialty Clinic In The Va Healthcare System, Debbie T. Devine

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Currently, between 21.9 and 23 million veterans have served in the United States armed forces. Of those, 2 million are women, and of those, only 6.5% use the Veterans Health Administration system. These females often suffer from physical and mental health disorders, and overall impaired quality of life (QOL), rendering their healthcare needs complex. Seeking, and providing care in this specialty area may become overwhelming not only for the women seeking the care, but also for healthcare systems that are unfamiliar with the specific needs of this population.

A retrospective medical records review was completed of 51 female veterans between …

The Synchronicity Of Hope And Enhanced Quality Of Life In Terminal Cancer, Brianna M. Terry

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of death worldwide. The rate of mortality is currently approximately 171.2 out of every 100,000 individuals with a terminal cancer diagnosis annually. Individuals with terminal cancer diagnoses facing probable mortality utilize various coping mechanisms or internal resources in an attempt to maintain an internal sense of well-being, commonly referred to as quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this literature review was to investigate themes prevalent in the literature pertaining to internal coping mechanisms and analyze any correlation or causation linking these resources to …

Telehealth: Improving Quality Of Life In Veterans With Congestive Heart Failure, Marcia Callender Callender

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects an estimated 5.1 million Americans over the age of 20. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine whether there is a difference in the Quality of Life (QOL) for Congestive heart failure patients receiving care through telehealth compared to patients receiving face-to-face care (usual care). Guiding this project was the Self-Care Model of Chronic Illness because the primary outcome of the self-care model is illness stability, well-being, and quality of life. Seventy-seven veterans with Heart Failure (HF) from the Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) participated in the project. Forty reported they …

Social Disruption And Physical Limitation Related To Quality Of Life Of Adolescents With Asthma, Jennifer L. Baumgardner

Kaleidoscope

During adolescence, teenagers experience many physical, emotional, and social changes. Teenagers with chronic conditions, however, may face challenges in normal adolescent development because their illness can impact body image, independence, and peer socialization. Little is known about the effect of asthma on adolescent quality of life (QOL). In this paper, I review the existing literature on social disruption and physical limitations related to asthma and the subsequent impact on adolescent asthma QOL. In addition, adolescent issues leading to poor control of asthma symptoms and interventions to improve asthma QOL for adolescents are addressed.

A Prelimary Study Of Differences Between Voluntary And Involuntary Retirement From Driving: Quality Of Life And Depression In A Rural Population, Elizabeth Ann Pruitt Saxton

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Research has revealed a variety of negative health consequences for older adults who stop driving, and with the "graying of America," this will be a frequently encountered issue for healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in quality of life and depressive symptoms between former drivers who made the decision to stop driving voluntarily and former drivers who made the decision involuntarily (either in a resistant or in a reluctant manner). In this cross-sectional cohort comparison study, community dwelling older adults were asked to complete questionnaires of depression (using the Geriatric Depression Scale), …

Determining The Correlation Between Hemoglobin Levels And The Quality Of Life Of Adolecents And Young Adults On Hemodialysis: A Descriptive Correlational Study, Carlisa Waldman

Master of Science in Nursing Theses

Background: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a permanent condition where the kidneys are unable to function at a level acceptable to sustain life. Dialysis or kidney transplantation are some of the treatments available to maintain patients’ health and well-being. The prevalence of adolescent and young adult patients living with end stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing. According to the United States Renal Data System (2013), there are over 7,500 patients ages 19 years or younger with ESRD. More than 1,400 of these patients are receiving hemodialysis, this is a national increase of 10.1% for this age group from …

The Impact Of Insulin Management On Quality Of Life In Type 2 Diabetes, Sandra Ellen Mccormick

Dissertations

Complications of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are severe but can be minimized through excellent glycemic control, optimally achieved by using intensive, or basal-bolus, insulin management. The quality of life (QOL) effects of basal-bolus insulin management are not fully known. This cross-sectional, observational study was based on the Revised Wilson and Cleary Model for Health Related Quality of Life, which measures five QOL domains (biological function, symptoms, functional status, general health perceptions, and overall QOL). The study aims were to describe, compare, and predict QOL in persons with T2DM based on type of insulin management (oral meds only, basal insulin only, …

Sleep Disturbance And Outcomes In Patients With Heart Failure And Their Family Caregivers, Sami Al-Rawashdeh

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Sleep disturbance is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and the family caregivers. Sleep disturbance is known as a predictor of poor quality of life (QoL) in individual level. The manner in which patients’ and caregivers’ sleep disturbances influence each other’s QoL has not been determined. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the associations of sleep disturbance and outcomes in patients with HF and their primary family caregivers. The specific aims were to: 1) examine whether sleep disturbance of patients and their family caregivers predict their own and their partners’ QoL; 2) examine the mediator effects of …

Nutrition And Health Related Outcomes In Patients On Hemodialysis, Shawona Cannon Daniel

All ETDs from UAB

Millions of Americans are affected by kidney disease and a large proportion of these individuals require hemodialysis to sustain life. This is a life changing event. The nutritional lifestyle changes associated with hemodialysis may be a key factor to health related outcomes such as depression and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study examined the relationship between selected demographic characteristics, nutritional status, measured by serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and self-report dietary protein intake, and HRQOL and depression in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. This study also examines the magnitude of correlation …

The Effects Of Age, Ethnicity, Sexual Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence, Masculinity, And Relationship With The Partner On The Quality Of Life Of Men With Prostate Cancer, Suha Ballout

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer, the leading cause of cancer in men, has positive survival rates and constitutes a challenge to men with its side effects. Studies have addressed the bivaritate relationships between prostate cancer treatment side effects masculinity, partner relationship, and quality of life (QOL). However, few studies have highlighted the relationships among prostate cancer treatment side effects (i.e., sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence), masculinity, and relationship with the partner together on QOL in men. Most studies were conducted with predominately Caucasian sample of men. Miami is a unique multiethnic setting that hosts Cuban, Columbian, Venezuelan, Haitian, other Latin American and Caribbean communities …

Multiple Dimensions Of The Symptom Experience In Patients With Advanced Cancer And Their Impact On Quality Of Life, Stephanie Gilbertson-White

Stephanie Gilbertson-White

Many people with advanced cancer experience multiple severe symptoms as their disease progresses such as pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and depression. These symptoms can be a result of the cancer itself, cancer treatment or an interaction of the two. The studies reported in this dissertation uses the patients' own responses to survey questions to describe the multiple dimensions of the symptom experience; the factors that predict the total number of symptoms; as well as the optimal cutpoint between a low and a high number of symptoms and the between group differences in patient outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, quality-of-life).