Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Medical Ethics Is More Like Chess Than Checkers, Peter G. Holub

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Some naysayers say, “Ethics can’t be taught and good character can’t be learned.” This belief is based on the notion that there is a small window of opportunity, sometime between birth and the teenage years, when a person either develops moral character or doesn’t. Parenting gets most of the credit…or all of the blame. If this perspective is true, then what’s the point of trying to teach ethics to medical, nursing and allied health students?

Commentary: Thoughts On Cyberchondria -- A New Challenge For Healthcare Providers, Nancy Lutwak

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

No abstract provided.

Commentary: Care Is A Noun And A Verb, Peter G. Holub

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Care is a living word that binds us to our patients and to each other. The desire to care for others is the motivation for everything we do. Whether healthcare system or health care provider or health-care reform, the singular mission is patient care. The motto for healthcare is Cum scientia caritas (Latin for scientific knowledge applied with care). The only challenge to this most rudimentary tenet for caring depends on how we define care.

Commentary: The C-Word, Peter G. Holub

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

No abstract provided.

Commentary: Have We Come To A Fork In The Road In Medical Education?, Robert Grosz

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

No abstract provided.

Role Emerging Placements In Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Training: A Case Study, Martin Fitzgerald, Abigail Kate Smith, Nazman Rehman, Michelle Taylor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Role-emerging placements in occupational therapy training are contributing to professional and workforce development because of their strong occupational focus and placement of students in emerging practice. This manuscript explores how one role-emerging placement challenged and developed student theoretical and clinical skills, presented new ways of working at the recipient site, and enhanced service delivery. Methods: The background to role-emerging placements in occupational therapy is explored through the use of a case study which reflects on and analyses how the assessment and treatment of occupation enhanced service delivery at a local, non-traditional site. Eight students in England developed and …

A Physical Therapist And Physical Therapist Assistant Learning Activity To Examine Student Collaboration And Collaboration Readiness: An Intraprofessional Educational Process, Salome V. Brooks, Renae Gorman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

BACKGROUND: Workforce responsibilities in the clinical setting between the physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) emphasize the necessity to develop intraprofessional skills fostering discipline collaboration. These skills impact the team process and the achievement of interprofessional patient centered outcomes. Collaboration is a skill that is sought after in inter- and intraprofessional teams. Intraprofessionalism is occurring within teamwork and collaborative activities labelled or described in interprofessional terms and tools. Health science professional programs have received recent mandates to address interprofessional collaboration skills within curricula. But disciplines that contain multiple professional roles need to address the within discipline, prerequisite intraprofessional …

Correlation Of Formative Assessments As The Means Of Predicting Summative Performance In Paramedic Students, William J. Leggio Jr, Alan M. Batt, Jennifer C. Berry, Tom Fentress, Marilee L. Vosper, Kelly Walsh, James Dinsch

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Paramedic programs use formative assessments to determine cognitive competency. Understanding the number of failed formative units as a probability of passing the summative exam will allow programs to set additional benchmarks. The purpose of this study was to determine whether failure in formative exams determines success on a summative exam.

Methods: Formative and summative scores from 2011 – 2016 for paramedic students with accounts in Fisdap™, an Internet-based administrative database, were retrospectively reviewed for the following criteria: provided consent for research, completed all six formative (unit) examinations, and completed a summative (comprehensive) examination. Analyses were performed with Pearson correlations …

A Retrospective Review Of The After-Hours Social Work Service In A Tertiary-Care Public Hospital In Australia, Manoj Pereira, Georgina Wire, Kathy Stiller

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: After-hours social work (SW) services seem to be provided in many major healthcare centres but there appear to be no data describing these services, in terms of the number of patients seen, their characteristics, types of problems, SW interventions provided, their effectiveness or the impact of providing after-hours services on the provider. The aim of this study was to investigate the patient characteristics and types of interventions provided to patients who received an after-hours SW service and the effect of providing these services on the service-provider. Method: A retrospective review of data collected on patients who had received after-hours …

Influence That Service In A Pro Bono Clinic Has On A First Full-Time Physical Therapy Clinical Education Experience, Daria Porretta, Jill Black, Kerstin Palombaro, Ellen Erdman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Physical therapist education programs strive to prepare their students for full-time clinical experiences in a variety of ways. Experiential and service learning in authentic contexts reportedly help students make connections between the classroom and the clinic. The purpose of this study was to explore the influences that service in a physical therapy pro bono clinic has on a first full-time clinical education experience.

Methods: Participants were all third year doctoral physical therapy students at Widener University who were entering their first full-time clinical education experience. Sixteen participants kept journals throughout their first full-time clinical experience regarding the impact …

A Review Of The Use Of Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) In Medical Imaging Education, Kevin R. Clark, Beth L. Vealé, Lynette K. Watts

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this review article is to describe the benefits and challenges associated with massive open online courses (MOOCs) and to discuss the implications specific to medical imaging education and training. Methods: Peer-reviewed journal articles pertaining to MOOCs in higher education were analyzed to identify commonalities, relationships, and possible gaps in the literature. Results: Analysis revealed several repetitive themes and concepts regarding the use of MOOCs in higher education: theory of connectivism, instructors’ and students’ perspectives, and benefits and challenges. Implications for medical imaging education and training were also discussed. Conclusions: As web-based education and technology integration continue …

A Review Of Undergraduate Athletic Training Program Entrance Requirements., Christopher D. Brown, Kelly Potteiger, Kimberly Keeley, Andrew Lundgren, Shannon David

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Athletic Training (AT) education is undergoing a major change with the transition to the professional Master’s degree. This evolution provides opportunity for faculty to reassess programmatic requirements. Admissions criteria is the first benchmark set for students and may predict future success. Currently, there is no evidence describing common AT entrance requirements. Objective(s): To determine current practices in AT admissions, establish best practices for developing admissions criteria, and discuss the potential impact of the transition to professional master’s degree on the admissions process.

Methods: Design: Cross-Sectional Study. Setting(s): Web-based survey in the fall of 2014. Participant(s): 361 undergraduate program directors …

A Narrative Summary Of High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy In The Adult Population, Joshua Gonzales, Kevin Collins, Christopher Russian

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The aim of this narrative review is to outline the mechanism of action of HFNC therapy, the clinical benefits of its use, cautions of its clinical application and limitations of previous research. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the following databases as sources: Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Only publications written in English were used in this clinical review. Keywords used in the search included the following: high-flow nasal cannula, heated humidified oxygen, oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, and respiratory failure. Results: The literature reveals HFNC therapy significantly decreased the use of mechanical ventilation (invasive or non-invasive) in patients …

Use Of The Kawa Model For Teambuilding With Rehabilitative Professionals: An Exploratory Study, Jennifer E. Lape, Brian D. Scaife

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The KAWA model, a culturally-sensitive model of occupational therapy practice, can enhance patient-provider collaboration, but its use as a tool for teambuilding and collaboration among an interprofessional group has not been studied. Teambuilding has been positively correlated with job satisfaction, and quality of client care. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to identify potential uses of the KAWA model and areas for future research related to teambuilding. Method: Trainings on the model, including a review of model components, its potential utility with clients, and an interactive activity, were provided to two rehabilitative teams (N=26) within two skilled …

Identifying The Pathway To Conservative Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy In A Tertiary Public Hospital In Australia: A Retrospective Audit, Tara Beaumont, Kate Goode

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse symptoms are prevalent in women in Australia and the estimated healthcare cost is considerable. Internationally accepted best practice evidence supports a trial of conservative Physiotherapy treatment with a Physiotherapist trained in the management of pelvic floor dysfunction before surgical options should be considered. Existing referral pathways in the tertiary healthcare system to access conservative Physiotherapy treatment require direct referral from Gynaecology staff. Objective: To identify the pathway to conservative pelvic floor physiotherapy for women referred to a tertiary hospital in Australia with incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse symptoms following existing referral pathways. …

Pattern Of Alteration In Foot Mechanics When Carrying Loads Unilaterally In Hand, Deepashini Harithasan, Baharudin Omar, Aatit Paungmali

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: Carrying weight in one hand is a common functional activity. This study investigated the effects of incremental loads carried in one hand unilaterally and its influence on the foot mechanics [plantar pressure, maximum force and contact area]. METHOD: Twenty healthy individuals were tested, in standing and walking, while carrying different weights (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using their right hand. ANCOVA was conducted separately for the right and left leg to address the effect of incremental loads on the foot mechanics within each leg with navicular drop index and Q angle as covariates. Paired t …

A Novel Approach To The Safe And Effective Mobilization Of A Super-Obese Patient: A Case Report, Jessica Anaf, Amy Wigmore, Kathy Stiller

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The incidence of obesity is rising worldwide, as is the presentation of these patients to the acute hospital setting. As a result of their complex nature, including medical co-morbidities, psychosocial issues, and healthcare resource limitations, management of these patients requires a coordinated and intensive multi-disciplinary approach. Although there are considerable data reporting the surgical management of obese patients, there is very limited literature regarding non-surgical interventions, including approaches to safe and effective mobilization. Methods: A case report is presented of a 55-year-old super-obese male transferred to a major tertiary referral healthcare centre for management of his overall medical condition …

Investigating A Physiotherapy Clinical Simulation Assessment Tool Using The Delphi Approach, Anne Jones, Allison Mandrusiak, Belinda Judd, Christopher Gordon, Jennifer Alison

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Simulation in physiotherapy education is increasing, but a standardised assessment tool for student performance in simulation has not been developed. The Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) is a validated tool for student performance in the clinical workplace, and has been used recently for simulation despite its relevance for this context being unknown. The purpose of the study was to gain consensus about which APP items should be included in a tool to assess physiotherapy students’ performance in simulation. The relevance of items was considered for both single patient encounters, and longitudinal (multiple) encounters. Methods: An online Delphi approach …

Perceptions Of Tenure And Promotion Guidelines And Criteria Among Athletic Training Doctoral Students, Stephanie M. Mazerolle, Thomas Bowman, Joanne Klossner

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Evidence suggested that athletic training doctoral candidates are being socialized through a variety of formal and informal experiences to prepare them for roles in higher education. It is unclear, however, if they are aware of the expectations associated with tenure and/or promotion which are necessary for transition into higher education. Perceptions of tenure and promotion among doctoral students preparing to enter the athletic training professoriate were investigated. Methods: Twenty-four students (16=females, 8=males, average age=28±3 years) completed one-on-one telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach, with a peer review and multiple analyst triangulation completed for rigor. …

Combining Online Education With International Service Learning To Increase Cultural Competence, Elaine Keane, Ingrid Provident

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: Although international service learning has the capacity to promote a variety of important professional behaviors, merely visiting another country does not automatically result in these benefits. METHODS: This article describes an evidenced-based course which used pre-trip preparation in combination with a nine day service learning trip to Ecuador to develop cultural competence among 6 occupational and 6 physical therapy students. Pre-trip preparation included online and in-person components to increase self-awareness, awareness of other cultures, knowledge about Ecuadorian culture and skill-building. On-site activities included exploration of the physical and social context in addition to providing occupational and physical therapy treatment …

Reducing The Rate Of Late Stage Breast Cancer Through Effective Health Communication: An Opinion Piece, Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Health and illness are traditionally characterized and treated differently across various ethnic groups, which encourages American health systems serving these diverse populations to explore culturally competent and safe ways to effectively reduce illness within such populations. Certain ethnic groups of women in the United States (US) bear greater risk of late stage breast cancer because of various circumstances, which include but are not limited to a lack of insurance or underinsurance and discomfort with and/or resentment toward the US healthcare system. The dominant culture and the social aspects of the modern American health system often and most favorably serve …

Perceptions Of Non-University Affiliated Dietetic Internship Program Directors Regarding Education Requirements To Obtain A Master’S Degree As An Entry-Level Dietitian, Abigail Sullivan, Roschelle A. Heuberger

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The Commission on Dietetic Registration announced that entry-level eligibility requirements to become a registered dietitian would increase to include obtaining a Master’s degree. The objective of this study was to explore perceptions of non-university affiliated dietetic internship program directors regarding proposed education requirements. Methods: Directors participated in a phone survey of structured questions related to the topic. The population of focus was non-university affiliated dietetic internship program directors. Results: Program directors expressed viewpoints of positive, negative, and mixed regarding the increase in education requirements. Diversity and autonomy were among concerns expressed by program directors. Conclusion: The research found that …

Pilot Study: What Measures Predict First Time Pass Rate On The National Physical Therapy Examination?, Jamie Bayliss, Rosanne M. Thomas, Marsha Eifert-Mangine

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Research investigating predictors of success on licensure examination is useful for admission criteria as well as targeted intervention for identified at risk students in physical therapy programs. Predictors of success on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) have been explored but results are no longer current. This study assessed predictive variables including admission data, performance in identified key courses, and academic/clinical difficulty for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) cohorts at Mount St Joseph University. Objective: Determine variables predicting success on the National Physical Therapy Examination. Design: A retrospective correlational study was done. Methods: Retrospective data of Mount St Joseph …

Effectiveness Of A Wearable Fitness Tracker: Practice Implications In Allied Health -- A Single Case Study, Thomas William Miller

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this single case study was to examine the effectiveness of utilizing a wearable fitness tracker device in self-monitoring behavior change in complying with prescribed treatment. It was hypothesized that using a wearable self-monitoring device while involved in the treatment of multiple medical conditions will be beneficial to behavioral compliance and behavioral change in an overweight type 2 diabetic, geriatric subject being treated by a multidisciplinary health team utilizing an integrated treatment model.

Methods: An exploratory single case study research design is employed to explore those situations in which the intervention, a wearable monitoring device, is …

Learning Styles And Personality Types Of Freshman Level Pre-Athletic Training Major Students, Marketa Schublova

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the preferred learning style and personality types of freshman-level pre-athletic training students. The secondary purpose was to identify any possible differences in learning styles and personality types of students admitted into the athletic training program versus those that were denied admission or changed their major. Methods: Data collection took place during a college introductory course over a period of seven years. Four hundred seventy-two freshmen (188 men, 284 women; average age 18.66 ± 0.87 years) considering athletic training as their major at a CAATE-accredited athletic training program participated in this …

Developing Student Skills To Actively Engage In Feedback Conversations: A Pilot Study, Neil Tuttle, Andrea Bialocerkowski

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Students often have passive or counterproductive responses to feedback. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a feedback training module containing online learning and live simulation. It was hypothesized that 1) student confidence in feedback skills would increase following the module, and 2) compared with a control group who undertook the module after their clinical placement, the feedback group who undertook the module before their placement would perform better on clinical placement on the sections of the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice related to communication, but those related to clinical skills would not be affected. Methods: …

Paramedic Patient Advocacy: A Review And Discussion, Alan M. Batt, Gerard Ward, Joseph J. Acker

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Patient advocacy is an often encountered term, but one for which no consistent definition exists. Advocacy is a new and developing role of the paramedic that is closely linked to the developing professionalism of paramedicine, along with the expanding role of the paramedic as a healthcare professional in the community. This role however requires exploration and clarification. Methods: A literature search was performed of multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and prominent paramedic journals. Results: No published literature investigating the theory or practice of paramedic patient advocacy, the potential conflicts and benefits of this role, or the perceived and …

Review Of Best Practice In Cardiac Rehabilitation For Women, Osaimi Alosaimi, Angelica N. Reyes Mscot, Cary A. Brown Phd

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is defined as damage to, or narrowing of, arteries due to atherosclerosis and is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among women worldwide. Cardiovascular disease is recognized to be both a leading cause of mortality and an undertreated condition for women. The goals of this review manuscript are to present the current background literature specific to cardiac rehabilitation programs for women and serve as a knowledge translation strategy to help raise therapists’ awareness of the need for cardiac rehabilitation programs specifically designed for female patients. Methods: A review of best practice literature in cardiac rehabilitation for …

Understanding Gender Dysphoria: An Opinion Piece, Haley A. Cabe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

This opinion piece on Gender Dysphoria explores the background of the condition, clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis, and specific barriers to care faced by transgender patients. The information provided is based on personal clinical observation as well as scholarly research. There is a clear need for continued exploration into Gender Dysphoria as this is a diagnosis all medical providers may encounter in practice. The purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding of the diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria and to highlight the need for improvement in medical providers’ education and clinical skills in order to reduce barriers to …

Developing Clinical Faculty Understanding Of Interprofessional Education: An Inter-Institutional, Interprofessional Approach, Debra A. Bierwas, Oaklee Rogers, Brenda Taubman, Lorie Kroneberger, Holly Carroll, Patrick Enking

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: The call for increasing interprofessional education requires institutional support for educators in the clinical environment. Innovative ideas, such as partnering with multiple universities and programs to facilitate an interprofessional workshop, have the opportunity to reach a broader group of clinical educators. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitude of healthcare professionals towards interprofessional learning, familiarity with concepts of interprofessional teaching, and interprofessional practice, and to examine the influence of an interprofessional faculty development workshop on participant familiarity with concepts of interprofessional teaching and learning. Methods: The occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant programs from two …