Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Factors That Contribute To Patient Length Of Stay At St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, Brenda Karch

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research project employed a quantitative review of archived data comprised of patients that had been discharged from St. Peter Regional Treatment Center between 2002-2010. These patients were admitted to Minnesota Security Hospital for treatment and progressed through the program to Forensic Transition Services and eventually discharged to the community.

Best Practices For Working With Undocumented Latino Youth, Elizabeth J. Braun

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research Question: What are evidence supported individual, group and community practices to address the needs of Latino youth experiencing mental health issues related to undocumented legal status and risk of deportation?

Needs Assessment For A Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Outpatient Services, Mary Beth Patterson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research has indicated there is limited specialist multidisciplinary care in non-metropolitan regions and rural communities for eating disorder treatment, leaving patients and professionals dissatisfied with quality of care. The purpose of this project was to assess the need for multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment service in South-Central Minnesota, and if so, to obtain information about the current patient population and treatment of such patients.

Computer-Based Training: Understanding Mental Health Civil Commitment, Tiffany Sandbo

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this training is to enhance health and mental health professionals’ knowledge about the mental health civil commitment law and process in Minnesota. The goal is upon completion of this training: 1)Trainees will understand the mental health civil commitment law and process in Minnesota. 2)Trainees will understand your role in the mental health civil commitment process.

Shelter Program For Homeless Males With Substance Use And Mental Illness: A Strength And Effectiveness Based Approach, Kotatee Tamba

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Homelessness represents one of the United States most pressing and complex problems. Approximately, nine percent of the nation’s homeless are considered to be rural. Locally, homelessness in Steele County continues to be a problem. A one night survey of homeless individuals in southeastern Minnesota revealed that there are 217 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. Homeless males have been found to be at greater risk of becoming homeless and tend to remain homeless for longer periods of time. The high risks associated with substance use, lack of adequate shelters and limited access to health care services in rural communities …

Housing With Support Marketing Study Tool, Gary M. Travis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Housing for persons with serious mental illness (SMI) that is permanent, affordable, and supportive is very limited because the availability of these resources is inadequate and subject to significant demand by persons that are disabled or on a limited income. The limited access to housing for persons with SMI is contributing to homelessness and Minnesota has seen a steady rise since 1994 in the rate and number of people that are homeless and coping with mental illness (Wilder Research, 2010a). While some of the impact of disability, homelessness, and limited affordable housing access is known, what remains uncertain is a …

Improving Communication And Team Cohesion In A Long Term Care Facility, Jen Watson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this Capstone project was to provide a staff development training that was researched based and educational. The training focused primarily on communication with a secondary emphasis on team cohesion. Training aimed to equip staff with skills and knowledge useful for working within various systems

Best Practices Of A Social Worker's Role In Supporting Family Caregivers Enrolled In Hospice Care, Jessie Wolf

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to explore best practices are for hospice social worker’s providing care to family caregivers enrolled in hospice. This project explored processes and assessment tools that other hospice agencies in rural Minnesota utilized while caring for the family members of hospice patients. The information obtained was used to provide recommendations to Mayo Clinic Health System- Mankato Hospice program to further improve the hospice programming and the social worker’s role.

Utilization And Maintaining The Spirit Of Motivational Interviewing In Sageplus Lifestyle Interventions, Joan Y. Grotewold

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Utilizing a descriptive quantitative design to guide data collection and analysis, 11 of the 14 clinics in the State of Minnesota that participate in the SagePlus program were selected by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to participate in this study. The population for this study was the 22 healthcare professionals who were providing the lifestyle interventions in those clinics. The purpose of this study was to determine if the SagePlus healthcare professionals who are providing lifestyle counseling interventions were using Motivational Interviewing (MI) with SagePlus clients and if the healthcare professionals were maintaining the spirit of MI throughout these …

Addicted Youth: The Understanding Of Smoking-Related Health Risks In Female College Students, Rebekah Agnes Ann Morris

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Young adults are at the greatest risk for initiation of smoking or becoming daily smokers. Smoking has a unique history in the United States and is associated with health risks beyond heart disease and lung cancer, many specifically affecting women. Although the majority of people are aware of the risks for heart disease and lung cancer, many other risks are not recognized. By evaluating the known knowledge of smoking-related health risks beyond and including heart disease and lung cancer in the high risk population of female college students, education programs and cessation teaching can be altered, potentially resulting in lower …

Best Practice In Working With The Somali Population, Ilhan Duale

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Since the early 1990s, the state of Minnesota has had an unprecedented increase in refugees from Somalia. These individuals have emigrated from a war-zone country and arrived in the United States with a range of trauma-related injuries and mental health issues. As a result, Somali individuals and families who have migrated to the United States will require physical and mental health support. There is, however, a lack of research on effective interventions with Somali individuals and families. With the stigma that surrounds mental health and negative cultural views of mental health in the Somali population, practitioners at Comunidades Latinas Unidas …

Recommendations For The Provision Of Patient Activities, Jean Schlichting

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Federal Code § 485.645 is entitled “Special requirements for CAH (Critical Access Hospital) providers of long-term care services (“swing beds”).” It states that a CAH must be in substantial compliance with the skilled nursing facility requirements found in § 483. § 483.15 states that the facility must provide a comprehensive activities program that is designed to meet the physical, mental and psychosocial interests and needs of each patient. To ensure the program is meeting the interests and needs of patients, it also states that a comprehensive activities assessment should be completed with each patient. A wealth of research finds that …

The Power Of Service Work: Developing A Consumer Volunteer Program For The House Of Hope, Inc., Darcy Wennes

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

House of Hope, Inc. (HOH) is a rural residential chemical dependency treatment center serving adults over the age of 18. HOH is a non-profit non-sectarian agency. Many clients at HOH have a dual diagnosis of chemical dependency and mental illness. Consumers at HOH are encouraged to volunteer, but are given limited support to do so. They have several hours in their day where there is no programming, and many consumers feel bored and unproductive. The literature suggests that there is a relationship between volunteer work carried out by consumers and their personal feelings of empowerment (Cohen, 2009) . Consumers’ feelings …

Utilizing Music In Speech And Language Therapy For Preschool Children And Children With Autism: A Systematic Review, Joelle Kay Johanson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis was conducted as a systematic review. A systematic review is an assessment and evaluation of current research that attempts to answer a clinical question. The purpose of this systematic review was to attempt to answer the following clinical question: Are there high-quality studies that document the effectiveness of using music in speech and language therapy with preschool aged children and children with autism? This review also attempted to identify future research implications and needs. Nine studies were reviewed and critiqued; six preschool based studies and three autism based studies. Results indicated a general positive change in speech and …

Assessing Students' Risk Factors For Type Ii Diabetes At A Midwest Public University, Nicole Decourcy Ferrian

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess students' risk factors for type II diabetes at a Midwest public university. It further examined students' perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self-efficacy of the disease. The design of the cross-sectional study was based on risk factors for type II diabetes listed by the American Diabetes Association and the Health Belief Model's constructs of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and self-efficacy. A survey was distributed to non-diabetic college students aged 18 and older enrolled in general education courses at a Midwest public university. A purposive sampling of 432 students enrolled in Health 101 and …

An Investigation On Hiv Related Stigma To Improve Hiv Prevention Efforts In North Dakota, Krissie Lynn Mayer-Guerard

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examines HIV stigma to improve HIV prevention in North Dakota. A survey was administered to North Dakotan adults between January 15 and February 15, 2011, in eight selected towns. The study focused on North Dakotan perceptions of HIV in their state. Research found that most North Dakotans do not view HIV as a problem in their state. There is, however, a belief that there is stigma associated with HIV in North Dakota, as 65 percent of survey respondents believe that. The study also shows that there is a need for education regarding the transmission of HIV. Sixty percent …

Evaluation Of The Sageplus Steps Program To Promote Physical Activity And Decrease Cardiovascular Risk In Low-Income Women, Callie Anne Avis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

There is little known about the effectiveness of the Steps Program specifically used in the SagePlus program in Minnesota to promote physical activity and reduce cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the SagePlus Steps Program for low-income middle-aged women ages 40 to 64 to meet a daily physical activity goal of 10,000 steps and reduce their cardiovascular disease risk, measured by their Framingham Risk Score. A nonexperimental, descriptive correlational design was used to guide data collection for this study. Demographic data, step counts after weeks 1, 4, 12, and 24, activity level at …

Evaluation Of Health Newsletters As A Motivational Tool To Promote Exercise, Jolene Schlegel

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Little is known about the relationship between SagePlus newsletters and its effectiveness to motivate physical activity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the SagePlus newsletter and its ability to motivate participants to achieve their goals to increase physical activity. A nonexperimental, descriptive correlational design was used in this study. Calls were made until the list of potential participants was exhausted. Forty English speaking participants were contacted and agreed to participate in the telephone survey from a potential list of 190 women enrolled in the SagePlus program. A modified questionnaire containing 19 multiple-choice and one open-ended …

Empathy Of Nurses And Family Needs In The Intensive Care Unit, Jolene Marie Tietz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Introduction: Patients and patients' families are in crisis when the patient is in the Intensive Care Unit. There have been studies demonstrating the importance of recognizing patient and family needs, and meeting those needs. This study explored what needs families rank as important and if the nurse met their needs, and what effect nurse empathy had on meeting family needs. Methods: Families in the Intensive Care Unit were given questionnaires to complete that addressed which needs they felt were important, if their needs were met, and the level of empathy they gauged their nurse to have. The tools utilized in …

Evaluation Of A Health Newsletter Intended For Sageplus Participants, Karen Lynn Anderson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Little is known about the effectiveness of the SagePlus newsletter as a motivational tool for influencing behavior change. The purpose of this study was to determine the reading level of the SagePlus newsletter and to evaluate the effectiveness of the SagePlus newsletter as a communication and motivational tool for SagePlus participants. A nonexperimental, descriptive correlational design was used in this study. Forty English speaking participants were contacted and agreed to participate in the telephone survey from a potential list of 190 participants. A modified questionnaire containing 20 multiple choice and open-ended questions was used in a telephone survey. Data was …

Evaluation Of Health Newsletter Effectiveness On Dietary Habits In Low-Income Middle-Aged Women, Nichole Jennifer Hassebroek

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

There is little known about the effectiveness of the SagePlus newsletters at motivating dietary habit changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the SagePlus newsletter in motivating low-income, middle-aged women who are participating in the SagePlus program to adopt healthier eating habits, specifically to eat more fruits and vegetables. A nonexperimental, descriptive correlational design was used in this study. Phone calls were placed to current SagePlus participants who had been enrolled in the program between six and 12 months. Forty English-speaking participants were contacted and agreed to participate in the telephone survey from a potential …

Teamstepps Communication And In Situ Simulation Training To Improve Individual And Team Performance During Handoff Of The Immediate Post-Operative Cardiovascular Surgical Patient, Stacy Lynn Jepsen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The aim of this pilot study was to identify if establishing a reliable framework for consistent use of TeamSTEPPS communication would improve the team communication and performance during the critical handoff of the cardiac surgical patient from the OR team to the ICU team. Breakdown in handoff communication has been attributed as the cause of adverse health events, delays in treatment, inappropriate treatment, increased length of stay, and increased costs and inefficiencies from rework. Standardizing handoff communication is a Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal, and immediate postoperative cardiac surgical patients are a high-risk population needing consistently high quality communication …

Barriers To Using Motivational Interviewing For Lifestyle Counseling, Heidi June Sannes

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Minnesota Department of Health has sponsored Motivational Interviewing Continuing Education sessions for SagePlus providers to increase their knowledge and skill in the utilization of MI in their clinical practice. The impact of these educational sessions on skill development as well as utilization of MI by these providers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if healthcare providers perceive any barriers in utilizing MI techniques to do lifestyle counseling with SagePlus program particiants. A descriptive quantitative design was used for this study. Of the 22 healthcare providers that were doing lifestyle counseling 16 completed the questionnaires. The …

Rapid Response Team Utilization Of Modified Early Warning Scores To Improve Patient Outcomes, Nikki L. Stoffel-Lowis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This retrospective, descriptive study was designed to (a) determine if the Modified Early Warning Score risk assessment tool identified moderate to high risk patients prior to the activation of the Rapid Response Team (b) determine how much time occurred from the onset of clinical deterioration until activation of the Rapid Response Team. A Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) was applied to the documented vital signs in the medical records of a convenience sample of 108 adult patients between the ages of 19 and 99 years of age who had experienced an activation of the Rapid Response Team (RRT). A risk …

Motivational Interviewing Training And Provider Proficiency, Jeremy Jay Waldo

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine if there was a relationship between the amount and type of Motivational Interviewing (MI) training a SagePlus provider receives, motivation to utilize MI training, and the proficiency of the provider in using MI in lifestyle counseling in clinical practice. This study was comprised of 16 healthcare professionals who provide SagePlus lifestyle counseling interventions in clinics that participated in the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) funded SagePlus program. A demographic questionnaire, modified Preventative Medicine Attitudes and Activities Questionnaire (PMAAQ) and Behaviour Change Counseling Index tool (BECCI) were utilized to assess provider's amount …

The Role Of Medical Training Background In Patient Satisfaction, Mariam Zia Qureshi

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The number of international medical graduates (IMG) is increasing and their ability to satisfy patients has never been studied. The purpose of this study is to examine if there is a difference between the patient satisfaction scores of US medical graduates (USMGs) and IMGs. This is a retrospective study in which 2627 returned patient experience surveys of 55 physicians working in Medical Practice in South Western Mayo Health System were evaluated. These surveys were returned from August 2009 to August 2010. An independent t-test and t-inverse test was conducted with significance level of 0.05. The results of t-test lead to …

Effective Trauma Assessment Tools For Women With Severe Mental Illness, Heather A. Bangu

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Minnesota Security Hospital (MSH) serves individuals under civil commitment as Mentally Ill and Dangerous by the State of Minnesota. MSH is evaluating its practices to ensure the treatment environment encompasses a recovery oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed program. Understanding and assessing trauma will assist clinicians in providing patients with the most effective and efficient treatment (Carlson, 1997). Long term negative outcomes exists for individuals with severe mental illness who have experienced trauma including more severe psychiatric symptoms, substance abuse, and homelessness (Mueser, Salyers, Rosenberg, Ford, Fox, & Carty, 2001). The purpose of this Capstone project was to identify and recommend evidence-based …

Evidence-Based Strategies For Working With Veterans, Bethany Fopma

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

According to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 3.3 million veterans (41%) live in rural areas. Due to geographical barriers, these veterans often lack access to needed services and providers. This research project analyzed studies that utilized telehealth in delivering services to veterans with PTSD. While more research in this area needs to be conducted, telehealth technology shows promising results for improving veterans’ symptoms and providing veterans with satisfactory services. Research Question: Is telehealth medicine an effective intervention in treating veterans with PTSD?

Understanding The Role Of Attachments And Schemas: A Model For Working With Sex Offenders, Carol J. Ries

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to research, develop, present, and evaluate a training module to increase knowledge of the role of attachments and schemas in working with sex offenders and to provide a model for working with sex offenders. Research Questions: 1. To what extent will a training module on the role of attachments and schemas increase attendees’ understanding of these topics? 2. Will a training module increase the likelihood that attendees will apply this knowledge of attachments and schemas in their work with clients?

Characteristics Of Patients Admitted With Alcohol Related Traumatic Injuries, Jessica Wolf

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Alcohol use is well recognized as a contributor to traumatic injury. The purpose of this review was to describe the demographics of patients admitted to a regional trauma center with alcohol related traumatic injuries in order to improve service to this population and provide injury prevention programs directed towards this population.

Research Question: What are the characteristics of patients admitted to St. Marys Hospital with an alcohol related traumatic injury?