Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Qualitative Exploration Of Well-Being In Cancer Survivorship: Implications For Counselors, Hallie M. Sylvestro, Lindsey K. Umstead, Heather Delgado, Christopher Lawrence, Keith Mobley, Kelly L. Wester, Andrew Wood

Adultspan Journal

Adult cancer survivors represent an important–and growing–population that could benefit from counseling services. This study employed consensual qualitative research to examine the well-being experiences of eight cancer survivors. Findings suggest a broad range of changes to individual well-being following cancer diagnosis and treatment, and indicate counseling can provide an ideal setting for processing such changes. Recommendations for counseling practice and future research are provided.

Emotion Regulation Strategies And Perceived Emotional Intelligence: The Effect Of Age., Iwanna Sepiadou

Adultspan Journal

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. We also investigated the possible effects of age on the aforementioned variables. The total sample consisted of 379 people (158 men, 220 women, 1 unreported). Across participants, 273 were young (20-39 years old) and 106 were middle-aged (40-65 years old). We found statistically significant positive correlations between the dimensions of perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of cognitive reappraisal and negative primarily correlations between the dimensions of perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of …

Observational Analysis For Predicting Initial Spikes In Testing Volume Of Cohorts Inside And Outside Of A Regional Covid-19 Screening Program, Adam M. Franks, Seth Bergeron, Tammy Bannister, Justin Spradling, Tamara Lowe, Paris Johnson, Rajan Lamichhane, Stephen M. Petrany

Marshall Journal of Medicine

BACKGROUND Containing the highly contagious SARs-CoV-2 pathogen requires a safe and effective screening program. The aim of this observational cohort study is to analyze a regional testing center and identify factors predicting testing rates that direct supply and staffing needs.

METHODS A drive-through SAR-CoV-2 regional testing facility was created. Number of tests and positive results were collected for eighteen months. Data for testing demand was compared to positive results, percent positive rates (PPR), known external factors, and county PPR. Dissimilarities were contrasted with dynamic time warp and a detailed agreement analysis. The Grainger’s test was utilized to assess the degree …

Perceptions Of Diabetes Distress And Counseling During The Pandemic - Rural Provider Perspectives, Ranjita Misra, Brenna O. Kirk, William D. Lewis

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction

West Virginia is an Appalachian rural state that ranks highest in the nation in the prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). The COVID-19 pandemic impacted routine diabetes care. As a result, individuals experienced diabetes distress over the physical and psychological burdens of diabetes management. In rural and medically underserved counties (71%), diabetes care is often provided by primary care physicians. However, healthcare providers’ perspectives on diabetes distress and related counseling to address them are unclear. This cross-sectional study’s objective was to explore healthcare providers’ (HCP) perspectives regarding their patient’s diabetes distress and how it guided their counseling for diabetes self-care during …

Effects Of The Needle Exchange Program And Its Current Status In West Virginia, Thomas Norton, Amber Graves, Anthony Uriarte, Katherine Duty, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

Excerpt:

One of the main problems that have impacted the state of healthcare in West Virginia has been the rising costs of treatments for bloodborne infections (Bates et al., 2019). Bloodborne pathogens and their resulting diseases have commonly spread by exchanging contaminated needles (Denault & Gardner, 2021). In West Virginia, Needle Exchange Programs (NEPs) have been implemented to reduce the transmission of certain infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, which have been more common among drug users (Beck & Kersey, 2018). In 2015, West Virginia had the second-highest rate of cases of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in …

Harm Reduction In West Virginia: Do Needle Exchange Programs Reduce Disease And Decrease Costs?, Katie Duty, Amber Graves, Anthony Uriate, Stacie Deslich, Alberto Coustasse, Thomas Norton

Management Faculty Research

Needle Exchange Programs (NEP)s were created to help users exchange used needles for new sterile ones and become aware of treatment and rehabilitation options. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of NEPs and their impact on reducing HIV and Hepatitis C infections in West Virginia and decreasing health care costs for the community. Based on studies conducted on the past implementation of needle exchange programs, it is suggested that there has been evidence that closing these programs can have a broad societal impact on the spread of HIV and hepatitis C and the associated costs. In addition, the community …

Integrating Feminist Approaches In Counseling Work With Adult Women, Kristen M. Toole

Adultspan Journal

The scope of ‘women’s issues’ in counseling is an ever-evolving landscape. Recent events such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women serve as powerful reminders of the necessity of this focus while underscoring a deep-rooted history of oppressive patriarchal structures. Therefore, counselors must remain informed of the unique considerations surrounding adult women in counseling and acquire proficiency in versatile techniques to meet this population’s nuanced needs. This article examines the complexity of contemporary womanhood and explores the fundamentals of Feminist Counseling Theory (FCT), a holistic, multiculturally conscious, social justice theory in counseling. …

Social Media By Providers And Patients In Healthcare, Madison K. Howell, Jirakamon Silapabanleng

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter have been used in various industries to create direct-to-consumer interactive opportunities. 74% of the US population were social media active users. Around 40% of adults gather their health information from Facebook, a free social networking site, which has been available on various devices and can help many organizations advertise their services as well as communicate with their patients. Social networks had a powerful influence in making health decisions because it could be used as a means to spread either positive or negative health information.

Purpose of study: The …

Physician Burnout Among West Virginia Primary Care Providers, Kevin S. Mccann, Adam Baus, Joanna Bailey, Laura Boone, Jennifer Boyd, Martha Cook-Carter, Dan Doyle

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Work related burnout is highly prevalent in US physicians and linked to adverse effects on patients, providers and organizations. This study measures burnout in West Virginia (WV) primary care providers, allowing for comparison of results to a similar, recent study of US physicians.

Methods

Anonymous survey through email that included Maslach Burnout Inventory, demographic, workload, and practice characteristics. Responses were analyzed using JMP Pro 13. Analysis used JMP Pro 13 for descriptive statistics, chi-square and regression modeling.

Results

Subjects = 110, female/male ratio 1.4, all primary care physicians (PCP), or advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants (APRN/PA). PCP …

Hospitalists Stare Down The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sutoidem Akpanudo

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Hospital medicine is the country's fastest growing medical specialty. The role of hospitalists has evolved greatly in the past few decades. Hospitalists have become the quarterbacks in the effort to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has brought about a transformational change to the practice of Hospital Medicine.

Boots On The Ground And Shots In Arms: A West Virginia Pharmacist On Covid-19 Vaccinations., Charles Massey

Marshall Journal of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Cardiovascular Function In Adult Offspring Following Prenatal Exposure To Methamphetamine, Hasitha Chavva

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Methamphetamine (meth) is a synthetic stimulant, and its abuse is a significant public health concern in the United States and all over the world. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug, and its abuse is widespread among women of child-bearing age. The consequences of methamphetamine abuse are not only of relevance to pregnant women, but also their unborn children, as amphetamine type substances can cross the placental barrier and effect the fetus during gestation. Most previous studies investigating the impact of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on the offspring have focused on neurological and behavioral effects. The goal of this study was to …

Reflections On West Virginia's Early Covid-19 Experience, Stephen M. Petrany, Deb Koester, Robert Walker

Marshall Journal of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Opioid Epidemic In West Virginia, Brianna Cole

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: One of West Virginia’s most prominent public health issues and concerns has been the opioid crisis. The opioid epidemic has taken the lives of so many of the West Virginia population. The purpose of this research study was to determine if the opioid epidemic had caused an increase of Hepatitis C among the West Virginia population and access treatment options.

Methodology: The methodology was a literature review. Twenty-five sources were referenced for this literature review from 2007-2020.

Results: This literature review has examined several sources of the Opioid Epidemic in West Virginia. The Opioid Epidemic in West Virginia have …

Financial Consequences Of Covid-19 For U.S. Hospitals, Laura Petty, Trevor Mullins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic has caused many financial issues for many businesses including putting a substantial strain on hospitals in the U.S. The impact of COVID-19 on the financial well-being of hospitals has been evaluated and the severity is still being measured as the pandemic is ongoing. The purpose of this research was to assess the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for hospitals in the United States.

Methodology: A literature review with a semi-structured interview with an expert from a local hospital was used for the methodology of this qualitative study. Five government websites and five databases …

Impact On Hospital Profitability Due To Covid Safety Guidelines, Khaja Umair Shariff, Anna Noel Franklin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The pandemic of COVID 19 presented a unique challenge to hospitals and healthcare systems that they have been struggling to function in. Operating costs had increased with new protocols, planning, operating space, supplies, and staffing. This coupled with the loss of revenue has led to approximately 10% - 20% salary reductions, furloughs, and loss of benefits such as PTO and vacation days to employees. Hospital’s cash reserves are being depleted due to increased operations costs and reduced revenue. Government funding, such as the CARES Act provided by the sanction of the Department of Health and Human Services Office, …

Statistical Methods Useful In Clinical Simulation And Medical Education Scholarship, Zuber D. Mulla, J. Hector Aranda, Donovan Rojas, Sanja Kupesic Plavsic

Marshall Journal of Medicine

The objective of this paper is to introduce selected statistical and epidemiologic topics that are of interest to interdisciplinary teams of healthcare quality professionals, educators, technical staff, and researchers who participate in clinical simulation scholarship. Four research vignettes in the setting of a hypothetical clinical simulation training workshop are presented. The first vignette illustrates the utility of exact logistic regression when analyzing a small dataset. The second underscores the importance of using an appropriate method to account for the repeated measurement of an outcome. The third illustrates the use of the intraclass correlation coefficient to measure inter-rater reliability. The final …

How Acceptable Is The Hiv/Aids Self-Testing Among Women Attending Immunization Clinics In Effurun, Southern Nigeria, Wasiu Olalekan Adebimpe, Doraebikeme Ebikeme, Olubukunola Omobuwa, Edward Oladejo

Marshall Journal of Medicine

HIV testing remains the gateway to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support interventions. In Nigeria, a significant proportion of the populations do not know their HIV status. HIV self-testing done without the help of a healthcare provider could remove identified barriers to HIV testing, and close gaps in HIV treatment and prevention cascades. This study set out to assess the knowledge and acceptability of hiv self-testing (HIVST) among women of child bearing age attending immunization clinics in Effurun, Nigeria. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 357 women of child-bearing age selected using multistage sampling technique. Research instrument used was …

Availability Of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives For Adolescents In Urban Vs Rural West Virginia Counties, Brooke Andrews, Cameron Ross, Jennie L. Yoost

Marshall Journal of Medicine

The study objective was to evaluate long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method availability and access for adolescents in rural and urban counties in West Virginia (WV). A cross-sectional survey of Title X family planning providers throughout WV was conducted from January 2016-July 2017. This survey was sent to 226 family planning providers in WV to assess patterns of LARC availability. The survey assessed provider training level, LARC services provided and frequency, clinical practice, referral patterns, and comfort level providing adolescent LARC services. Survey results were analyzed by providers’ rural vs urban status, based on US census county codes. Survey responses …

Prenatal Opioid Maintenance In The U.S. And Its Effect On Neo-Natal Abstinence Syndrome: The Case Of West Virginia's Opioid Epidemic, Morgan Ruley, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

In 2017, West Virginia’s opioid epidemic was the cause of about 1000 deaths. Opioid abuse has become an issue among pregnant mothers and has increased the effects of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the participation of prenatal opioid maintenance to determine if it has decreased the amount of treatment needed for NAS in infants in West Virginia. The methodology utilized a literature review complemented with a semi-structured interview. Thirty-six sources were referenced for this literature review. It was found that Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy had the most positive effect on NAS after …

Applying A Research Ethics Review Processes In Rural Practice-Based Research, Adam D. Baus, Tracy L. Hendershot, Martha Cook Carter, Laura K. Boone

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction: Partnering with rural primary care in practice-based research allows researchers access to a vital segment of the health care sector and a window into some of the most vulnerable, high-risk, high-need patient populations. The readiness for rural primary care to fully embrace research partnerships, however, is often tempered by ethical questions in conducting research in close-knit settings. This research provides practices with a refined decision support tool for evaluating the fit of research opportunities for their unique practices.

Materials and Methods: A two-phase effort was conducted to glean insight from currently available literature on ethical considerations in practice-based research …

Knowledge And Risk Factors For Stroke Among Undergraduates In Southwestern Nigeria, Wasiu Olalekan Adebimpe

Marshall Journal of Medicine

The burden of non-communicable diseases due to stroke is increasing. Despite this, community based studies that could stimulate stroke primordial prevention among the population at risk are sparse. This study assessed community knowledge and risk factors to stroke among University undergraduates in Osogbo, southwestern Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 420 male undergraduates selected through multi-stage sampling method. Research instruments were self-administered semi structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 17.0. Four hundred and seven (96.9%) have heard about stroke. Good mean knowledge score of causes, symptoms, warning signs and risk factors of stroke …

Global Stability For A 2n + 1 Dimensional Hiv/Aids Epidemic Model With Treatments, Olusegun Michael Otunuga

Mathematics Faculty Research

In this work, we derive and analyze a 2n + 1-dimensional deterministic differential equation modeling the transmission and treatment of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) disease. The model is extended to a stochastic differential equation by introducing noise in the transmission rate of the disease. A theoretical treatment strategy of regular HIV testing and immediate treatment with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is investigated in the presence and absence of noise. By defining R0, n, Rt, n and Rt,n as the deterministic basic reproduction number in the absence of ART treatments, deterministic basic reproduction number in the presence of …

The Effectiveness Of Needle Exchange Programs In The United States And West Virginia, Margie J. Phillips, Alberto Coustasse, Sara Johnson, Briana Washington

Management Faculty Research

Needle Exchange Programs (NEPs) have been controversial aspects of public health care due to conflicting beliefs and opinions for public policies. NEPs have allowed Injection Drug Users the ability to exchange their used equipment for clean, unused supplies. Research into the effectiveness of needle exchange programs and the impact it has had on the reduction of HIV and viral hepatitis infections in people who inject drugs. Injection Drug Users have accounted for 10% of HIV transmission cases in West Virginia, and this state has been ranked as the highest in the whole United States for incidents of Hepatitis C. NEPs …

Occupational Exposure To Blood And Bodily Fluids Among Health Care Workers In A Medical Teaching Hospital, R. A. Alhazmi, Sarah J. Surber

Applied Safety & Technology Faculty Research

The objective of this study was to evaluate blood and bodily fluids exposure through needlestick injuries (NSI) and non-percutaneous incidents among healthcare workers (HCWs). This project utilized a dataset collected from J. W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, between January 1, 2014 and August 15, 2017. Data included de-identified codes of employees, occupations, types of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, routes of exposure, infectious disease exposures, and time incidents. During this time period, 655 incident reports were documented and finalized in regards to blood or body fluid exposure. HCWs had 506 (77.25%) NSIs and 149 (22.74%) non-percutaneous incidents. The …

Contingency Management For Smoking Cessation In Pregnancy, Jacob Miller, Brady Reynolds, Courtney Crain, Hisham Keblawi, Lynne J. Goebel

Marshall Journal of Medicine

This pilot study examined the feasibility of applying Contingency Management (CM), where the woman receives financial compensation for abstinence from smoking. Eleven subjects were recruited from Marshall’s OB clinic for the program. CO levels were measured daily using online video recording. Quit rates were determined at the end of pregnancy. Birth outcomes were measured at delivery. 21 pregnant smokers from Marshall’s OB clinic were used as the control group. The results demonstrated a trend toward improved rates of smoking abstinence in CM participants as compared with the control group. Our study also showed a trend towards improved birth outcomes in …

Optimizing Heart Failure Outcomes Through Diet: A Review, Farley B. Neasman Iii

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Heart failure is a growing epidemic that will add significant monetary and human costs to an already overtaxed health-care system. Though promising new medications have recently been approved, this complex condition is largely preventable through aggressive risk factor modification, with diet being shown to have a greater effect than exercise. An underrated component of a healthy diet is the simple addition of nuts – the anti-inflammatory fatty acids, healthy proteins, and general availability have been shown to improve survival and reduce the primary risk factors contributing to heart failure, making the addition of nuts and legumes to the diet an …

How Safe Is Healthcare? Perceptions Within The Healthcare Community And The General Public., Rodhan A. Khthir, Shahed Elhamdani, Ibrahim Hatab, Felyn Espina, Gerry Asuncion, Sutoidem Akpanudo

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Objectives: Complexity of health care is progressively increasing and with that the number of medical errors and adverse events are increasing to an alarming level. The purpose of this study is to assess the perception of healthcare safety within the healthcare community and the general public and examine the association between the perception regarding healthcare safety and the prior exposure to medical errors.

Methods: The study is a cross-sectional online survey. The online survey included basic demographics and a series of questions related to the knowledge and perception about healthcare safety and personal healthcare experience.

Results: 504 respondent …

Promoting Reproductive Health Using Telemedicine: A Prospective Study Among Rural Appalachian High School Teens, Raj Singh, Mohit Harsh, Keegan Mullins, Brian Dunlap, Jennie L. Yoost

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction:

Telemedicine allows rural underserved populations access to medical resources that may not be available in their communities. Following promising results with a telemedicine project aimed at educating female students in McDowell County, West Virginia on reproductive health (RH) in 2015, we conducted a follow-up study including both male and female high school students during the 2016 school year.

Materials and Methods:

Telemedicine sessions on RH were incorporated into existing afterschool programs at two rural high schools. Students’ knowledge on RH was assessed via pre-test, immediate post-test, and 6-month post-test evaluations. RH was taught by medical students and faculty at …

Self-Reported Tobacco Use And Correlation With Umbilical Cord Blood Cotinine Levels At Delivery Among Appalachian Gravidas, Jesse Cottrell, Brenda L. Mitchell, Pooja N. Sangani, D'Andrea S. Thomas, Monica A. Valentovic

Marshall Journal of Medicine

The detrimental effects of cigarette use during pregnancy are well documented. Studies have shown that cigarette smoking while pregnant is associated with multiple adverse outcomes including: pre-term birth, placental abruption, placenta previa, fetal growth restriction, stillbirth, increased rate of birth defects, and increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Cotinine is the primary metabolite of nicotine and allows for measurement of active as well as passive exposure. Cotinine freely cross the placental barrier and maternal concentrations are closely correlated with newborn plasma levels. The aim of this study was to compare maternally reported rates of tobacco use to fetal umbilical …