Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Tabletop Role-Playing Games As Autism Psychotherapy: A Video-Cued Multivocal Clinical Ethnography, Adina Rubin-Budick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study is a video-cued multivocal ethnography that analyzed the clinical reasoning and perspectives of psychotherapists using Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TRPG) as a therapeutic treatment for children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum conditions. With a growing number of TRPG therapists nationwide using this modality in their clinical practices, this study aimed to develop a clearer understanding of the ways in which their therapeutic orientation, gaming practices, and knowledge of Autism Spectrum Conditions informs their use of TRPG psychotherapy with Autistic clients.

Research that focuses on clinical decision-making and the knowledge that informs clinical interventions and technique generally refers …

Culture Care Values And Beliefs Of Puerto Rican Adults Related To Suicide: An Ethnonursing Study, Griselle Estrada

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a public health issue among the growing U.S. Latinx population; however, Latinx subgroups are diverse and represent different cultural backgrounds. Puerto Ricans are the second largest Latinx subgroup in the nation. Although research points to possible mental health vulnerabilities among Puerto Ricans when compared to other Latinx subgroups, there is a dearth of research exploring cultural influences that can impact suicide prevention efforts for Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. mainland. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the culture care values, beliefs, and needs of Puerto Rican adults pertaining to suicide and its prevention. METHODS: The …

The Health And Health Care Needs And Experiences Of Mexican Heritage Individuals In A Nonmetro Location: An Ethnonursing Study, Karla Adu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The population of Mexican heritage individuals has grown significantly in nonmetro, emerging communities. The purpose of this study was to explore the health and health care needs and experiences of this population in the Midwest. Methods: Leininger’s Culture Care Theory and Ethnonursing Research Methods were used as the guiding theory and methodology for the qualitative study. Interviews were conducted with 27 informants. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed according to Leininger’s phases of data analysis. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: 1. living a better life in a nonmetro community with and for family, 2. barriers to understanding …

Speciated Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry In Combination With Thor’S Hammer Metaspike Technology For The Assessment Of Low-Level Biomarkers For Human Health Evaluation, Ashley Ebert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Our research team has been focused on quantifying important biological analytes in human blood samples to delineate the biochemical processes underlying certain states of dysfunction and evaluate treatment efficacy. These efforts have been guided by laboratory measurements with the input of medical experts. Speciated isotope dilution mass spectrometry (SIDMS) explained in detail in EPA Method 6800 has been successfully applied in the quantification of an important biomarker analyte for immune function and detoxification processes: glutathione. Past research has proven the molecule a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the form of the reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and literature has …

Empowering Lung Cancer Survivors In Post-Treatment Survivorship Care Using Participatory Action Research, Kelly Filchner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To explore the experiences of lung cancer survivors (LCS) and their informal and professional caregivers with post-treatment care and to empower them to implement action-based study findings.

Participants & Setting: Participants were recruited using purposeful and snowball sampling from an NCI-designated cancer center in Northeastern US.

Methodological Approach: This study used a participatory action research (PAR) four-phase design. Phase one was a focused ethnography; phase two utilized a core group of participants to decide an action to be implemented in phase three; and phase four evaluated the action for the completion of one PAR cycle.

Findings: Twenty-eight categories, eight …

The Relationship Between Urban Green Space Perception And Use Within The Adolescent Population: A Focused Ethnography, Rachel Lyons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Greenspace is beneficial for improving adolescent mental health, yet we still do not understand the connection between the built environment and subjective mental wellbeing. We also lack understanding of how this population uses greenspace and how they feel when in it. Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was threefold: to understand why adolescents use greenspace, to identify how they use greenspace, and to explore how they feel when they are in greenspace. Methods: participated in a focused ethnography that utilized auto photography for photo elicitation. Braun and Clark's (2006), six phases of thematic analysis were used to guide …

The Ethical Imperative Of Inclusion In Healthcare Innovation: Scaling And Sustaining Digital Health Equity, Lukas E. Chandler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the harm of digital health exclusion. Excluded groups could not benefit from virtual care due to device access gaps, broadband connectivity, and digital and language literacy levels. A lack of engagement with historically excluded populations in digital health innovation is an ethical harm and a maleficent form of social exclusion. Digital tools in healthcare delivery represent more than just a strategy for promoting health equity; they signify an opportunity to address health inequities in the health technology design process.

The historical focus of healthcare ethics on bedside decision-making issues largely explains why the field lacks concerted …

A Process Evaluation On The Health Care Transition Process For Youth With Osteogenesis Imperfecta With Special Health Care Needs, Janet Amirkhanian

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

With medical, surgical, and technological advances, children with childhood diseases with special health care needs (SHCNs) are surviving and living into adulthood (Cohen et al., 2014). Health care transition (HCT) should be a process through which youth are expected to achieve the skills necessary to manage their health as adults (Sawicki et al., 2017). HCT should be a purposeful, organized, and coordinated process involving the youth, family, and health care team (Stringer et al., 2015; Gabriel et al., 2017; White et al., 2018). Evidence supports that adolescents and young adults with SHCNs are often unprepared for transition (Jensen et al., …

Decreasing Intent To Leave In Nurse Residents (Nr) With The Addition Of Wellness Interventions: A Quality Improvement Project, Susan Eckman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

The US nursing workforce decreased 1.8 percent between 2019 and 2021, marking the largest drop seen in four decades. New nurses or nurse residents NRs) are included in this loss. Many nurses, but particularly new nurses, experience burnout. If workplace stress is not managed, it can become chronic. The first year of employment as a nurse has been shown to be a very vulnerable time. Within the first 2 years of nurses’ employment, there is a reduction in commitment along with increased stress. New graduate nurses’ lack of life experiences, along with the recent pandemic have contributed to more than …

Reducing Risk Factors Of Diabetes Mellitus Type Ii Development In Veterans Post Military Discharge Through The Patient Aligned Care Team Model And The Utilization Of Preventive Programs Involving Lifestyle Changes., Jeni Grundy

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Diabetes Type II (T2DM) prevalence is rising in America, becoming a focus for disease prevention. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has highlighted the need to tackle the increased T2DM precursor, prediabetes, which ultimately leads to T2DM if risk factors remain unaddressed. One group of the American population with a high rate of prediabetes is the 9/11 Veteran cohort. The Veterans Affairs (VA) system has numerous health promotion missions. This system has highlighted its initiatives to address the development of T2DM. Specific to the 9/11 group, their primary T2DM contributory risk factor is obesity paired with the low utilization of already …

Nursing Considerations For Elderly Adults With Urinary Tract Infections In Nursing Homes, Mary Marlett

D.U.Quark

No abstract provided.

Monkeypox Fact Sheet, Lance Daley

D.U.Quark

No abstract provided.

Trends In Health Outcomes Before And After Long Term Care Federal Regulations Limited Antipsychotic Medication Use: A Secondary Data Analysis, Karen Robson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trends in resident falls did not significantly change, although trends in serious injury from falls declined ten years after regulations restricted antipsychotic medications in long-term care facilities. Trends in functional and continence status worsened after the regulations were implemented.

Is Trauma Informed Care Practiced In Public Std Clinics In New York State, Antonia Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasing in the United States and often result in long-term adverse health outcomes. New York State (NYS) local health departments (LHDs) provide public STD clinics for high risk populations also found to have high rates of violence. This study examined if/how trauma informed care (TIC) is implemented in these settings. The study sample were LHD STD Program Directors in NYS.

Method: A convergent parallel mixed methods study design was used which included an online survey and follow up interviews. Survey data were analyzed using univariate statistics and conventional content analysis was used to analyze …

Determinants Of Reproductive Freedom Among Israeli Women Ages 18-50: A Mixed Methods Study, Abby Kra-Friedman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Reproductive freedom is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that reduces health disparities and increases health equity. Through the National Health Insurance Plan, Israeli women can access a range of contraceptive methods. Scant data on Israeli women limits development of policies and interventions to meet international benchmarks for reproductive freedom. The purpose of this dissertation study is to synthesize current international multidisciplinary literature using the capability approach for reproductive freedom, explore determinants of reproductive freedom among Israeli women ages 18-50 using Nussbaum's capability approach, and make recommendations for nursing research, practice, and theory.

Methodology: Using Whittemore and …

The Purple Heart And Suicidal Behaviors In Post-9/11 U.S. Army Combat Veterans With A Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mixed Methods Study, Jayna Moceri-Brooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Military suicide rates remain high, despite years of targeted efforts to prevent suicide. Specifically, Army Combat Veterans who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism are at the highest risk for suicide. This dissertation highlights possible causes for suicidal behaviors within this unique group and provides specific military suicide prevention recommendations. The dissertation is organized into three publishable manuscripts: The first manuscript (Chapter 1) is a mixed-methods dissertation research proposal written according to the National Institute of Health proposal guidelines. The second manuscript (Chapter 2) is an integrative review of the …

Social Entrepreneurial Skills And Practices Of Occupational Therapists Engaging In Emerging Community Practice Roles: A Working Theory Of Practice Improvement, Retta M. Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore the relationship between emerging practice in occupational therapy and social entrepreneurship by examining the behaviors and skills used by occupational therapists who are engaged in emerging practice. Five occupational therapists who engage in emerging practice were recruited to participate. The occupational therapists completed two surveys related to behaviors and competencies of social entrepreneurs. The participants also completed a semi-structured interview regarding behaviors, competencies and the occupational perspective of their practice.

Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics. The quantitative data determined a relationship between the skills used by social entrepreneurs as …

Exploring Cultural Values, Beliefs, And Perceptions Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Acceptance In African American Men, Rashida Henderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: African American (AA) /Black men have a higher rate of anal and rectal HPV-associated cancer, which the HPV vaccine can prevent. Purpose: This study aimed to understand the cultural values, perceptions, and beliefs of the HPV vaccine in African American/Black Men. Method: Through a focused ethnography, a semi-structured guide was utilized to interview 24 AA men. Inclusion criteria included identifying as AA/Black, aged 18-30 years, born and living in the United States, identify and born as male, and able to understand, read, and write English. Results: Through Leininger’s Four Phases of Analysis, three themes emerged: 1) lack of knowledge …

Cultural Care Needs Of Spanish Speaking Parents With Limited English Proficiency Whose Children Are Hospitalized: An Ethnonursing Study, Jennifer Stephen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Parents’ inability to speak English proficiently is associated with communication barriers in the care process of their children, social determinants of health, and poor child health outcomes. Research exploring perspectives of Spanish speaking parents with limited English proficiency (SSP-LEP) whose children are hospitalized in the context of culture is lacking in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural experiences, values, and beliefs of SSP-LEP, of Mexican origin, whose children were hospitalized and understand nurses’ role in providing culturally congruent care.

Design and Methods: Leininger’s qualitative, ethnonursing method was used for this study. The Theory …

Emergency Care For Youth Who Experience Suicidality And Identify As Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/Questioning (Lgbtq+): An Interpretive Phenomenology, Theresa Schultz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Suicide is a leading cause of death in children; youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are at an exponentially higher risk of suicide. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of young adults who identify as LGBTQ+ and sought emergency care for suicidality when they were adolescents.

Methods: Heideggerian hermeneutics phenomenology is the research method used in this study. Youth, ages 18-25 years, who identify as LGBTQ+ and sought emergency treatment for suicidality when they were adolescents (13-17 years) were recruited to participate;fifteen youth enrolled. Individuals ranged in age from 20 to 25 years. Participants described …

Quality By Design Based Optimization Of Anti-Inflammatory Nanoemulgels For Local Treatment Of Burn Wounds, Leah Dickey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Burns are some of the most traumatizing and damaging skin injuries, with the potential of causing extensive internal damage that increases the risk of chronic wound development. Oral and topical analgesics in combination with antibiotics can provide temporary relief and improve wound healing progress for both mild and severe burns. However, recurrent systemic exposure to pain relievers and antibiotics has been associated with adverse side effects including nausea, drowsiness, abdominal pain, etc., and increased risk of new infections or even ulcers. Local and targeted drug delivery systems, such as nanomedicine, have gained attention as potentially more effective alternatives to improve …

Ethical Oversight Of Roles & Relationships In Treatment & Research In Advanced Disease States, Alexa Vercelli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is often ethical analysis focusing solely on the care of the patient by the physician or on the protection of the research participant by the clinical investigator, but those two are often overlapping. By paralleling the analysis of treatment and research, it emphasizes the specific ethical approaches necessary for individuals facing advanced diseases states in the separate roles of being a patient or participant. It also gives guidance to the complexity of the ethics surrounding medical professionals who float between the roles of treating physicians and clinical investigators. As individuals with advanced disease states are considered a vulnerable population …

Respecting The Ethical Tension Between Surveillance And Privacy In Promoting Public Health And Disease Management, Kamal Althobaiti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The recognition of the need to undertake surveillance and to protect privacy is well established. However, the continually changing circumstances and fast-paced development of healthcare today requires a continuing need to respect this ethical tension between surveillance and privacy. Hence, this dissertation is to respect the ethical tension between surveillance and privacy in promoting public health and disease management. This dissertation investigates the ethics of conducting public health surveillance, including the challenges associated with obtaining consent and protecting data from unauthorized access. The dissertation will focus on the ethical consequences of big data, including issues associated with obtaining informed consent, …

The Eat Sleep Console Approach: An Evaluation Of Impact, Outcomes And Continuation Of Care, Stefanie Disilvio

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), a subgroup of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), is a constellation of postnatal symptoms that occurs due to the abrupt cessation of intrauterine opioid exposure. Historically, these infants have been evaluated and treated by the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring Tool (FNAST) (Appendix A). Recent evidence supports the use of the Eat Sleep Console Approach (ESC) (Appendix B) as an alternative to the FNAST. The ESC model focuses on the comfort and care of these infants by maximizing nonpharmacologic methods and increasing family involvement in the treatment of their infant. The purpose of this project was to …

Program Evaluation Of A New Initiative In An Interdisciplinary Pediatric Concussion Clinic: Active Rehabilitation Following Sports Concussion, Kelly Gettig

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion is a growing public health concern in adolescents, and early interventions should target persistent symptoms that can impact learning, behavior, and emotions. The past decade has brought increased awareness, identification, and reporting of concussion and an accompanying explosion of quality research on the management of concussion. The overwhelming theme that has emerged is active rehabilitation which challenges the long-standing recommendation of rest and restriction.

This comprehensive program evaluation has focused on a new initiative in a pediatric interdisciplinary brain injury clinic, including an analysis of the impact of active rehabilitation on athlete concussion …

Improving Measurements And Self-Management Skills Of Cardiovascular Disease By Incorporating A Healthy Lifestyle In Hispanic Adults: A Promotoras Led Program, Kelly Llewellyn

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Hispanic community members face unique challenges related to language barriers, culture, access to care, and trust in healthcare providers. Hispanic community members have a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Hispanic males were most likely to die of cardiovascular disease in 2017 (CDC, n.d.a), and for females, death from cardiovascular disease was only second to cancer (CDC, n.d.b.). Hispanics are 70% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanics (Office of Minority Health, nd.) Promotoras are trusted members of the Hispanic community who can assist healthcare providers in providing disease prevention education and self-management …

Enhancing Elementary School Educators And Staffs Behavioral Classroom Management Strategies To Support Children Affected By Trauma Through Utilization Of Trauma-Informed Care (Tic) And Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Modalities: A Quality Improvement Project, Kerstin Burt

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: The fundamental ACE study asked more than 17,000 adults about their childhood trauma exposure and how it has impacted their health as an adult. The study found a link between ACE exposure and a higher likelihood of experiencing adverse emotional and physical outcomes (Felitti et al., 1998).

Problem: Educators and staff encounter children affected by trauma and are untrained in trauma-informed care approaches, known as the “Four R’s” (SAMHSA, 2014b).

Purpose: This quality improvement (Q.I.) project aimed to respond to the trauma-informed care (TIC) and social-emotional learning (SEL) gaps among educators and staff at a private elementary school …

Labeling Melanoma Cells With Black Microspheres For Improved Sensitivity In Detection Via Photoacoustic Flow Cytometry, Tori Kocsis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer known for developing into metastatic disease. Current clinical diagnostics, including medical imaging and tissue biopsy, provide a poor prognosis since the cancer is in the late stages of disease progression. In recent years, photoacoustic flow cytometry has allowed for the detection of circulating melanoma cells within patient blood samples in vitro. Although this method exploits the naturally-produced melanin within the cells, it has only successfully detected highly-pigmented melanoma cell lines. Since various forms of melanoma exist, each with varying melanin concentrations, this research aims to provide a novel method for detecting lightly-pigmented …

Clinical Simulation Training To Increase Medical Surgical New Graduate Registered Nurse (Ngrn) Confidence And Competence When Caring For Deteriorating Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Tammy Schwaab

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Problem: Patient harm from preventable cardiac arrest continues despite implementation of Rapid Response Teams (RRT) in the hospital setting. Medical surgical NGRNs lack adequate practice experience to prepare themselves with the competency skills necessary to manage high acuity patients in a complex healthcare environment. An awareness of a lack of readiness for practice leads to low NGRN self-confidence. Deficiencies in NGRN self-confidence and clinical competence lead to an inability to recognize and respond to patient complications with subsequent ineffective use of the RRT. Failure to Rescue (FTR) is one of the top three medical errors committed by NGRNs. Current evidence …

Development Of Anti-Inflammatory Theranostic Nanocolloids Using Quality By Design Approaches, Michele Herneisey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nanocolloids are attractive delivery vehicles for drugs with poor aqueous solubility. Despite this, relatively few nanocolloid products exist on the market. Currently, there is a lack of standardization in the pre-clinical, academic setting regarding nanocolloid development and quality control testing. Adaptation of quality by design (QbD) methods used in the pharmaceutical industry to nanocolloid development is a desirable approach that can improve nanocolloid product and process understanding, resulting in an increased number of marketable products.

The central hypothesis of this work is that QbD approaches can be utilized to optimize theranostic (therapeutic and diagnostic) nanocolloid stability, drug loading, and imaging …