Holistic Healthcare: Bridging The Gap With Primary Mental Health Care, Peter Nyame

Non-Thesis Student Work

The integration of mental health services into primary care settings is crucial for addressing the holistic well-being of individuals, particularly in light of the interconnected nature of physical and mental health. However, prevailing gaps persist, marked by a shortage of mental health professionals, limited resources, and enduring stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Notably, the state of Maine faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to mental health care, with a substantial portion of the population lacking sufficient support. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the urgency of integrating mental health services into primary care, amplifying existing challenges and necessitating adaptive …

Effectiveness Of Probiotic Therapy On The Symptoms Of Major Depressive Disorder (Mdd), Lydia L.M. Sprague

Non-Thesis Student Work

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents a pervasive mental health challenge globally, necessitating effective treatment approaches. This paper examines the efficacy of probiotic therapy compared to placebo in individuals diagnosed with MDD, addressing the PICOT question: In people diagnosed with MDD, what effect does probiotic therapy versus placebo have on their symptoms of depression? Through a review of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the study elucidates the potential of probiotics as adjunctive treatments for MDD. Findings indicate that probiotic interventions may yield improvements in depression symptoms, reflecting promising avenues for complementary therapeutic strategies. However, variations in study designs and probiotic strains …

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Cancer Patients With Radiation-Induced Tissue Injuries, Abigail R. Roy, Julia Shannon, Sampaguita French, Daniel Weaver

Non-Thesis Student Work

Cancer, secondary to cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). Radiation is a standard cancer therapy, however it can cause fibrosis of blood vessels, the breakdown of soft tissue, and subsequently lead to necrosis. When caring for cancer patients, it is imperative to consider the lasting effects interventions pose on their long-term health. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a healing treatment consisting of administering 100% oxygen to the body in a pressurized chamber; in turn, HBOT facilitates capillary regrowth, blood flow restoration, and increased efficiency of wound healing time. The efficacy …

The Effectiveness Of Annual Mammograms Versus Triennial Mammograms In Women Under The Age Of 50, Jordyn A. Gowell, Dakota Grace Cochran, Ashley Cantwell, Sara Doughty, Allison Sgrosso

Non-Thesis Student Work

The current recommendation for mammography frequency is every 2 years after age 50. However, newer data shows that yearly mammograms are effective in early detection of breast cancer, even before age 50. These authors posed the question: In women under age 50, is a yearly mammogram more effective than a mammogram every 3 years in detecting breast cancer? A literature search was conducted on CINAHL, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library using the following terms: mammography, mammogram, annual, yearly, every three years, triennial, and breast cancer. A total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results of the literature …

Student Nurse Clinical Experience In A Dedicated Education Unit, Kendall F. Doyle

Non-Thesis Student Work

New graduate nurses are reporting gaps in clinical expertise and knowledge when transitioning from student to new graduate nurses. The student clinical experiences are paramount to the new graduate nurses' transition into practice. It is imperative that school of nursing (SON) programs and clinical settings collaborate to provide the best possible clinical experience. One clinical model that can be utilized is the dedicated education unit (DEU). In this work, I will demonstrate the clinical impact the DEU model has in increasing clinical expertise. This will be done by reviewing peer-reviewed articles that relate to the DEU clinical module, the traditional …

Diabetes Management In Adolescents: Insulin Pump Therapy Versus Insulin Injection Therapy, Candice J. Ryder, Chantal Connelly, Lindsay Clements, Keri Hebert

Non-Thesis Student Work

Understanding the compliance of different insulin delivery methods among adolescents with diabetes is crucial for bettering their outcomes as they grow into adulthood. Adherence to insulin regimens can be influenced by many factors, including education provided to the adolescent from caregivers and providers, utilization of diabetes educators, peer influence, and stereotyping. The two methods of insulin delivery focused on for this review are insulin pumps and daily insulin injections. These authors pose the question: in adolescents, aged 13-18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), does the use of an insulin pump therapy compared to insulin injection therapy lead to …

Screening For Colon Cancer In Adults Under And Over 50: Effects On Mortality Rates, Lauren M. Dean, Eve Daries, Ethan Grover, Morgan Howes, Kayla Loughman

Non-Thesis Student Work

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of adults under the age of 50 who are diagnosed with colon cancer, and many of these adults are diagnosed with stage III or IV. In 2018, the recommended age for initial colon cancer screening through colonoscopies decreased from age 50 to 45. Despite this, there are rising concerns about the effectiveness of current screening mechanisms and the recommended age for screening. These authors pose the question: among adults under the age of 50, how does colon cancer screening impact mortality rates compared to those over the age of 50? A …

Mindfulness Based Interventions To Reduce Burnout And Ptsd Symptoms In Critical Care Nursing, Kelly A. Pellegrino, Libby M. Colley, Carly R. Fazendin, Emma R. Parrotta, Mollie Johnson

Non-Thesis Student Work

Within the medical field, nursing is a career that can be very taxing on both one’s physical and mental wellbeing, especially in regards to critical care. The life-threatening situations and strenuous work that critical care nurses are met with everyday make them especially susceptible to struggling with burnout, compassion fatigue, and PTSD-like symptoms. This not only puts their own safety at risk, but the safety of their patients as well. This raises the question: In critical care nursing, does the utilization of mindfulness based interventions, compared to no intervention, aid in the reduction of nursing burnout and PTSD symptoms? In …

Distraction Interventions And Play Therapy: Decreasing Fear And Anxiety In Hospitalized Patients Less Than 12 Years, Terence J. Olds, Jordan Conroy, Rebecca Rider, Julia Good, Hannah Peacock

Non-Thesis Student Work

Hospitalization can be a frightening experience for pediatric patients. Addressing these negative emotions greatly impacts their experience, wellbeing, and recovery process. It is crucial to understand and implement strategies that alleviate these negative emotions and promote healing during hospitalization. The authors will review two safe, effective, and reliable methods of alleviating fear and anxiety in hospitalized children under 12 years old; distraction techniques and play therapy. A literature search was conducted on CINAHL and PubMed using the following search criteria: child, youth, kid, play therapy, therapeutic play, anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety, hospital, acute setting, inpatient, and distraction. A total of …

Exploring The Influence Of Trauma-Informed Care On Pelvic Examinations For Women, Sarah Dodge, Madison Child, Madison Shirland, Chloe Smith, Claudia Fox, Grace Fernandez

Non-Thesis Student Work

Trauma-informed care (TIC) has become increasingly common in discussions regarding women’s health. TIC refers to a clinical approach that implements compassion, respect, and acknowledges the impact of trauma on patients. In the United States, pelvic exams are routinely performed on women over 21 for gynecological abnormalities. Many of these women present with histories of post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and other psychological comorbidities. These histories greatly influence women’s behaviors, including their likelihood to seek gynecological care in fear of being retraumatized. A literature search was conducted to determine the impact of TIC on the rates of women …

Student Clinical Judgment Skills Using The Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, Sara E. Carr

Non-Thesis Student Work

Nurses provide care to clients in complex situations. Nurses entering practice need greater confidence and skills to make sound clinical judgment decisions when caring for clients. A question arises: do structured clinical judgment activities based on the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM) improve students’ clinical judgment skills throughout a semester simulation and clinical rotation? A literature search of EBSCOhost, CINAHL, Next Generation: NCLEX News, and article reference lists were used. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2018-2023 were reviewed, resulting in 13 articles being selected. The literature demonstrated that nursing schools work to prepare nurses for entry-level practice by designing a curriculum …

The Clinical Judgment Measurement Model And Improving Student Clinical Judgment, Sara E. Carr

Non-Thesis Student Work

Nurses provide care to clients in complex situations. Nurses entering practice need greater confidence and skills to make sound clinical judgment decisions when caring for clients. A question arises: Do structured clinical judgment activities based on the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM) improve students’ clinical judgment skills throughout a semester simulation and clinical rotation? A literature search of EBSCOhost, CINAHL, Next Generation: NCLEX News, and article reference lists were used. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2018-2023 were reviewed, resulting in 13 articles being selected. The literature demonstrated that nursing schools work to prepare nurses for entry-level practice by designing a curriculum …

Ozempic (Semaglutide) Versus Nonpharmacologic Interventions For Weight Management In Overweight Individuals, Elena N. Jacey, Lily Jennings, Callie Gillmore, Emily Kane, Emma Digirolamo

Non-Thesis Student Work

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication prescribed for individuals managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, helping to regulate glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion and reducing glucagon secretion. Many patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus rely on Ozempic (semaglutide) as a weight loss aid as opposed to implementing healthy lifestyle changes. This information proposes the question: in overweight individuals taking Ozempic (semaglutide), a medication prescribed for those with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, for the management of weight loss, does the use of Ozempic (semaglutide) compared to non-pharmacologic weight loss strategies exaggerate the occurrence …

Strategies To Minimize Lead Exposure And Ensure Early Detection Of Elevated Lead Levels In Children Less Than 5 Years Of Age, Stephanie Massey

Non-Thesis Student Work

Exposure to lead in children can have serious long-term health implications, including cognitive and developmental delays. This systematic literature review identifies evidence-based strategies to prevent lead exposure and ensure early detection of elevated lead levels in children less than 5 years of age. The purpose of this review is to determine reliable and valid methods to prevent and screen for lead exposure in children less than 5 years of age to inform practice, research, and policy.

Life Experiences Of First-Year College Students Who Resided With A Parent Experiencing Depression, Jasmine Olshin

Honors College

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the United States (US), and a significant number of depressed adults are parents to children who depend on them for care and nurturing. Research on parental depression (PD) focuses predominantly on its impacts on children and adolescents and has shown many negative outcomes as well as a predisposition to developing depression themselves. The literature on the impact of parental depression on young adults and college students is scant. Young adults (ages 18- 25) experience the highest rates of depression, and many of these individuals enter college where they are continuing …

The Reversal Of Roe Vs. Wade And Its Effect On Contraception Access In The U.S., Jessica Dupler, Abby Enck

Non-Thesis Student Work

Over the past year, there has been a shift in the United States healthcare system following the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade. This shift has caused a burden to fall on contraceptive use across states that either prohibited abortion or permitted it. This information poses the following question: In women of reproductive age living in the U.S., has the reversal of Roe v. Wade impacted birth control access in U.S. states with limited abortion rights compared to U.S. states that do not limit abortions over the past year? A literature search was conducted on CINAHL, PubMed, and Google …

Office Of The Vice President For Research And Dean Of The Graduate _Invitation To "Long Covid: A Long Way To Go" Lecture, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Dean Of The Graduate School

Teaching, Learning & Research Documents

Email from the University of Maine Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate regarding the Institute of Medicine's Second Annual Distinguished Science Lecture, "Long Covid: A Long Way to Go.".

The Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder And Epilepsy: Challenging The Dichotomy Of Mental And Physical Health, Mia A. Dawbin

Psychology and Community Studies | Student Scholarship

Abstract

The body of literature associating epilepsy with mood disorders is vast and can be traced as far back as Hippocrates. The comorbidity of the two is notoriously high. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among people with epilepsy has been widely reported for decades, though these symptoms may not be considered or treated as successfully in people with epilepsy as they are in their non-epileptic counterparts. More recently, evidence has been found suggesting that psychiatric symptoms may serve as a precursor to epilepsy. The episodic nature of the illnesses and their congruent model of progression suggest a possible connection. The …

Advancing Data Equity To Improve Health Equity For People With Disabilities (Pwd), Michelle Fong

Policy Analysis

Up to 26% of adults and 4.3% of children (nearly 70.6 million people) in the US have at least one disability. This is the largest population with consistent health disparities and intersects with all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. Equity is at the core of public health practice. Health data linked with disability data provide accountability and a basis for trust in leaders who seek meaningful health progress for people with disabilities (PWD). Disability data gaps hide health disparities and perspectives of PWD, perpetuating harmful biases.The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a US law that upholds civil …

Mind The Gap: A White Paper On Maine's Missing Covid-19 Surveillance Data, How They Perpetuate Health Disparities Of Maine's Citizens With Disabilities, And What Can Be Done To Increase Maine's Public Health Data & Service Equity, Michelle Fong

Student and Trainee Scholarship

A white paper by Michelle Fong, a 2023 NH-ME Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) trainee and MPH student at the University of New England. Equitable health data represents all populations and can be linked to their common characteristics. Maine’s COVID-19 data can be disaggregated by gender, race, ethnicity, and age, but not by disability status or type. It is an example of inequity in data collection, or a data gap, that prevents analysis of pandemic health outcomes for Mainers with disabilities.

An Examination Of The Social And Ecological Risk Factors For Lyme Disease Exposure Amon High School Students In Penobscot County, Maine, Willow Throckmorton-Hansford

Honors College

The intertwining effects of biological and social factors recently have led to a dramatic increase in Lyme disease cases in Maine. These factors include environmental exposure to ticks, a lack of knowledge of prevention measures against ticks, and an increasing population of blacklegged ticks throughout the state. High school students have seldom been used as a group of interest involving Lyme disease prevention research, yet they may be exposed to ticks while engaging in extracurricular activities, outdoor recreation, and in-class lessons that occur outdoors. In addition, social and ecological factors contributing to this issue have never been investigated in tandem …

Characterization Of Manganese-Induced Neurodegenration In C. Elegans Treated With Winterberry Leaf Extract, Brendan Moline

Honors College

Neurodegeneration is a condition present in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) in which the cells of the nervous system experience loss of function and death. Around the world, each year PD and AD affect 6.2 million and 29.8 million people, respectively, with the exact causes remaining unknown. Manganese (Mn) is a transition metal which is essential for human survival in trace concentrations. However, overexposure to Mn can induce neurodegeneration through the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the eventual onset of oxidative stress. An extract produced from winterberry leaves (Ilex verticillata) exhibits antioxidant properties as it has been …

The Wpath Standards Of Care: Their History And Importance In Advocating For Transgender Health, Alexander Cross

Honors College

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care publication one most-often cited in the defense of increasing attacks on transgender rights to gender-affirming healthcare, as it is the reigning body of clinical guidelines and recommendations for the medical treatment of transgender and gender-diverse populations developed for application in a global context. This paper recounts the history of the WPATH organization––formerly called the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association––and the evolution of its Standards publication. In light of historical and recent attacks on gender-affirming care, an overview of the material implications of the Standards’ changes as they pertain …

Analyzing The Use Of Social Media To Communicate The Intersection Of The Gut Microbiome And Mental Illness, Grace Lafrance

Honors College

This study examines the availability and accuracy of information about the connection between the gut microbiome and the brain, specifically mental illness. Mental illness is a general term used to describe nearly 300 mental disorders, though the two most common, anxiety and depression, were of specific interest for this study. The current biological/ neural theories for anxiety and depression do not adequately illustrate many other factors that influence the development of mental illness. After determining that Generation Z is one of the age groups most affected by these mental illnesses, social media was used to analyze the availability of the …

University Students' Experience With Primary Care During Their High School Years And The Impact On Transition To Adult Primary Care, Grace Finley

Honors College

Focus: PC is associated with positive health outcomes and reduced costs. Estimates of adolescents who transition from pediatric PC to adult PC is low; yet it is reported those who have positive experiences with PC are more likely to access PC as adults. Studies describing adolescents’ HS experience with PC and how it affected transition to adult PC are lacking. The purpose of this study was to describe university students’ experience with PC during their HS years and the impact on transition to adult PC.

Methods: This study is a descriptive, non-experimental design whereby students reported their HS PC experience …

Evaluating Edna Metabarcoding As A Mic-Roe-Scopic Net To Catch Salmon Pathogens, Noah Burby

Honors College

Wild Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) is a Distinct Population Segment (DPS) that has been listed since 2000 as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The current challenge is year-over-year decreases in the number of mature salmon returning to the Penobscot River for reproduction. Early detection of pathogen presence could allow for the identification of infection and the application of corrective measures. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is simply DNA that is collected from environmental samples (e.g., water, air, and soils), which consists of whole microorganisms and genetic …

Comprehensive Overview Of Causative Agents Of Alzheimer's Disease: Tau Protein And Amyloid Betas With Their Biochemical Pathways And Proposed Treatments Including Cost Analysis, Ethan Johnson

Honors College

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease found within the brain, interfering with neuron function, eventually leading to widespread atrophy. The disease effects millions of Americans with neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid beta plaques, both protein deposits with unclear causes. The goal for this thesis was not only to understand how these proteins form but how to safely interfere with their production. This was completed by a comprehensive overview of the form of the buildups and their precursors, tau proteins and amyloid beta precursor protein, respectively. An emphasis was put on the molecular biology and genetic causes of the amyloids rather than the …

Imagining Gender Euphorias, Willow Wind

Honors College

Our society needs to talk about gender, but we aren’t very good at it. Avoiding these discussions has harmful impacts on body image and various health disparities (The Trevor Project, 2020). What if we have better and regular conversations about ways we can positively experience gender? This study’s model of negotiating gender can be used by families and educators seeking affirming exploratory learning opportunities. Insights into meanings of gender euphoria help validate diverse sets of experiences, informing a broader cultural discourse that increasingly questions gender binarism (Griffin, 2020).

This study explores conceptualizations and enactment of gender euphoria across demographics and …

Utilization Of Diet On The Development Of Coronary Artery Disease, Morgan Mcgarry, Emalee Grant, Melissa Guzzi, Lillian Morrissey

Non-Thesis Student Work

Diets such as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (D.A.S.H.) and Mediterranean focus on foods with low amounts of saturated fats to lower blood lipid levels. In the general population, adherence to healthy dietary patterns has been connected to a lower risk of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is the number one cause of death globally (World Health Organization, 2020). The D.A.S.H. diet primarily focuses on low intake of meats/sweetened beverages and replaces full-fat with low-fat dairy products. The Mediterranean diet focuses on limited intake of meat and added sugars and increased intake of vegetables, fish proteins, and nuts. The …

Thromboembolism Concern With Hormonal Contraceptive Use, Hannah A. Leclair, Ariana Covino, Olivia Nash, Meghan Smith

Non-Thesis Student Work

When addressing risk of thromboembolism in women prescribed hormonal contraception, an evidenced-based PICO question was explored: In women of childbearing age prescribed hormonal contraceptives, how does physician medication management of contraceptives affect hospitalization rates of women suffering from thromboembolism complications due to the side effects of birth control compared to women who don’t receive medication management from physicians? The literature indicates women have an increased risk of thromboembolism, especially in conjunction with comorbidities. Women’s health is an aspect of healthcare that has an increased need for attention and care, and it is vital they have adequate healthcare checkups to address …