Other Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Health-Related Cognitive Factors And Intention To Adopt Mhealth: The Mediating Influence Of Attitude, Ashraf Sadat Ahadzadeh, Fon Sim Ong, Shin Ling Wu

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Mobile health (mHealth) is an important service that has remarkable effects on the development of the health care system. Health-related cognitive factors, such as perceived susceptibility (PSU), perceived severity (PSE), and health consciousness (HC), are associated with health-related technology adoption behavior. However, the underlying mechanisms of these associations have not been studied sufficiently. Attitude toward technology is a key construct in health psychology because it has a central role in motivating and changing behavior. Individuals’ attitude toward a particular behavior is expected to have a strong association with the behavior. This study aimed to examine how attitude toward mHealth plays …

Prefrontal Activation During Inhibition Of A Balance Recovery Step, Ezinne Abugu

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports

The ability to quickly step is an important strategy to avoid a fall. However, real-world settings often constrain a stepping path. Such constraints necessitate response inhibition to prevent an inappropriate step and select a new course of action to ultimately recover balance. The present study investigated neural mechanisms that underlie this ability to stop a highly automatic balance recovery step. In the field of cognitive neuroscience, response inhibition has typically been researched using focal hand reaction tasks performed by seated participants. This approach combined with neuroimaging has revealed a neural stopping network, which includes the right Inferior Frontal Gyrus (right …

Exploration Of Data Science Toolbox And Predictive Models To Detect And Prevent Medicare Fraud, Waste, And Abuse, Benjamin P. Goodwin, Adam Canton, Babatunde Olanipekun

SMU Data Science Review

The Federal Department of Health and Human Services spends approximately $830 Billion annually on Medicare of which an estimated $30 to $110 billion is some form of fraud, waste, or abuse (FWA). Despite the Federal Government’s ongoing auditing efforts, fraud, waste, and abuse is rampant and requires modern machine learning approaches to generalize and detect such patterns. New and novel machine learning algorithms offer hope to help detect fraud, waste, and abuse. The existence of publicly accessible datasets complied by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contain vast quantities of structured data. This data, coupled with industry standardized …

Relationship Between Treatment Comorbidities And Hiv Viral Suppression Among People Who Live With Aidsi N Johannesburg., Nwogo Immaculata Ekeji, Tolulope A. Osoba, Hebatullah Tawfik, Mehdi Agha

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

HIV has globally infected over 37.9 million people, of which 28.2 million (73%) are on antiretroviral treatment, and 66% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. In South Africa, however, low rate of viral suppression (47%) among people living with HIV is a major health problem that has continued to fuel HIV prevalence. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was used to investigate the relationship between treatment comorbidities and viral suppression among HIV-infected adults aged 18–49 who were diabetic, had cancer, or tuberculosis in Johannesburg. HIV Care Continuum formed the theoretical framework for this research. An existing HIV-infected patient de-identifiable dataset …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of Screening For Delirium In The Post Anaesthesia Care Unit And Orthopaedic Surgical Wards: A Qualitative Study, Rami Kamel Mustafa Aldwikat, Elizabeth Manias, Pat F. Nicholson Dr

Journal of Perioperative Nursing

Purpose: The aims of this study were to explore nurses’ perceptions of the usability and clinical utility of two screening tools for delirium detection in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and orthopaedic surgical wards settings, and to identify nurses’ decisions about patient care delivery based on delirium assessment outcomes. The tools studied were the 3D-CAM and 4AT – the three-minute diagnostic interview for CAM (Confusion assessment method) delirium and the 4 ‘A’s test, respectively.

Method: A focus group methodology was used. Five semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 24 nurses working in the PACU and orthopaedic surgical wards. Focus …

Development Of A Method For Identifying And Quantifying Epicatechin In Cinnamon Extract Supplement Capsules, Danielle Valls

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Clinical Effects Of Lactobacillus Reuteri Probiotic In The Treatment Of Chronic Periodontitis: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Josephine Ram, Shilpa Bhandi, Kamran H. Awan, Frank Licari, Shankargouda Patil

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

From In-Person To Virtual: A Case Study Of An Animal-Assisted Visiting Program In A Pediatric Setting, Whitney Romine

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

This article focuses on the practical aspects of converting a successful in-person AAA program to a virtual program in a health care setting including human, canine, and physical resources; animal welfare considerations; training, infection control, and safety guidelines; and visit delivery procedures. In 1992, an interdisciplinary team at Akron Children’s Hospital founded the Doggie Brigade, an animal-assisted activities (AAA) program where volunteer therapy dogs and their handlers visit pediatric patients. The program has become a cornerstone of the hospital’s culture over its now 30-year tenure. In March 2020, the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic forced health care organizations to suspend …

What Do Extended Cardiac Surgical Team Members In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia Think About Their Jobs, And What Would Improve Them? A Qualitative Study, Mohammed Bahran Shegafi, Mary Leamy, Geraldine A. Lee

Journal of Perioperative Nursing

Despite the long history of integrating non-medical practitioners into the extended cardiac surgical team, concerns about job design that reduce job satisfaction persist in the literature. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), previous research has found that these non-medical practitioners known as cardiac surgical assistants (SAs) express significant dissatisfaction with multiple aspects of their role. Improving job satisfaction can positively impact on the recruitment and retention of this valuable workforce who increase surgical capacity within cardiac units. This qualitative study was therefore conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of cardiac SAs’ perspectives of their role and to explore how …

The Scientific Study Of Positive Psychology, Religion/Spirituality, And Physical Health, Kevin S. Masters, Julia K. Boehm, Jennifer M. Boylan, Kaitlyn M. Vagnini, Christina L. Rush

Psychology Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Humans have long been interested in relations among religion/spirituality (R/S), positive psychological constructs, and physical health. Furthermore, many religions attempt to influence behavior through health-related prescriptions about food choices, sexual activity, substance use, and resting. Similarly, positive psychological constructs have been discussed in light of their presumed benefits on both mental and physical health (Ryff & Singer, 1998). However, R/S and positive psychological constructs have only recently become objects of scientific investigation of their associations with physical health.

Factors Associated With Improved Outcome Of Inhaled Corticosteroid Use In Covid-19: A Single Institutional Study, A. Manfra, Claire Chen, Kavita Batra, Kyaw Min Tun, Mutsumi Kioka

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Asthmatics seem less prone to adverse outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and some data shows that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are protective. We gathered data on anecdotal ICS and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, given there is literature supporting ICS may reduce risk of severe infection. In addition, we fill gaps in current literature evaluating Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) as a risk assessment tool for COVID-19. This was a single-center, retrospective study designed and conducted to identify factors associated intubation and inpatient mortality. A multivariate logistic regression model was fit to generate adjusted odds ratios (OR). Intubation was associated …

Pharmacotherapy For Opioid Use Disorder In Mississippi, Amanda Michelle Whitacre

Doctoral Projects

The opioid epidemic is affecting Mississippi’s young to middle-aged adult population in a profound way. Pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder (OUD) is the gold standard treatment. Despite the FDA-approved evidence-based treatment of pharmacotherapy for OUD, rural areas often lack providers available who will initiate and provide maintenance of this life-saving medication. For this doctoral project, a 36-question survey was developed based on a preliminary literature review. The survey was disseminated to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in the family and psychiatric specialties across Mississippi to assess the barriers to APRNs filling the gap in pharmacotherapy prescribing for OUD. A continuing …

Telehealth Acceptance Among Appalachian Respondents During Covid 19: A Secondary Data Analysis, Victoria Hood-Wells, Florence M. Weierbach, Amy Wahlquist, Janet M. Keener, Manik Ahuja, Hadii M. Mamudu

ETSU Faculty Works

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between telehealth use, telehealth satisfaction, and chronic medical conditions among residents living in Appalachian and non-Appalachian communities.

Sample: A COVID-19 public health survey was distributed via social media and healthcare clinics in the tri-state region of central Appalachia. Survey responses were limited to adults aged ≥18 years who consented to participate in the survey that self-identified as an individual with one or more chronic medical conditions (n=195).

Method: Simple descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations (SDs) were calculated for variables of interest both overall and by …

Racism In Healthcare: A Discussion, Ben George, Cabb Batson, Cabb Batson

Honors Colloquium

This is the flyer for Ben George, Cabb Batson, and Emily Greenwell's Honors Colloquium.

Comparison Of A Dynamic Ankle Orthosis To A Walking Boot For Preserving Ankle Joint Motion And Reducing Tibial Bone Load And Strain, Perri Johnson Jr.

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Tibial stress fractures are a common overuse injury accounting for 21.9 – 69% of stress fractures among runners and 24 – 51.2% of stress fractures in military cadets. Current treatment involves wearing a walking boot for 3 – 12 weeks, which limits ankle motion and causes lower limb muscle atrophy. A Dynamic Ankle Orthosis (DAO) provided a distractive force that offloaded the ankle and retained sagittal ankle excursion during walking. It remains unclear how tibial loading is affected by a walking boot or the DAO. This thesis presents a feasibility study confirming the offloading effects of the DAO on tibial …

Seeing The Big Picture: System Architecture Trends In Endoscopy And Led-Based Hyperspectral Subsystem Intergration, Craig M. Browning

Theses and Dissertations

Early-stage colorectal lesions remain difficult to detect. Early development of neoplasia tends to be small (less than 10 mm) and flat and difficult to distinguish from surrounding mucosa. Additionally, optical diagnosis of neoplasia as benign or malignant is problematic. Low rates of detection of these lesions allow for continued growth in the colorectum and increased risk of cancer formation. Therefore, it is crucial to detect neoplasia and other non-neoplastic lesions to determine risk and guide future treatment. Technology for detection needs to enhance contrast of subtle tissue differences in the colorectum and track multiple biomarkers simultaneously. This work implements one …

Impact Of Social Distancing On Physical Activity In College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Carrington E. Brown

Honors Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic was one that affected everyone in some way. From mandatory lockdowns to vaccinations, the pandemic took a toll on everyone. This study focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic’s mandates on undergraduate college students’ rate of physical activity prior, during, and after the pandemic. A sample of 41 college students was recruited via student email. Participants were of all races, ages, and male and female, and they answered questions determining how the pandemic affected them in their physical activity routine, if applicable. As hypothesized, many individuals’ physical activity routine was interrupted because of the mandates from …

Health Effects Of Indigenous Language Use And Revitalization: A Realist Review, D. H. Whalen, Melissa E. Lewis, Stefanie Gillson, Brittany Mcbeath, Bri Alexander, Kate Nyhan

Publications and Research

Background: Indigenous populations across the world are more likely to suffer from poor health outcomes when compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Although these disparities have many sources, one protective factor that has become increasingly apparent is the continued use and/or revitalization of traditional Indigenous lifeways: Indigenous language in particular. This realist review is aimed at bringing together the literature that addresses effects of language use and revitalization on mental and physical health.

Methods: Purposive bibliographic searches on Scopus were conducted to identify relevant publications, further augmented by forward citation chaining. Included publications (qualitative and quantitative) described health …

Mothers’ Satisfaction With Distraction As A Postoperative Pain Management Intervention For Their Child: An Interventional Study, Edlin Glane Mathias Dr, Mamatha Shivananda Pai Dr, Vijay Kumar Dr, Vasudeva Guddattu Dr, Ann-Cathrine Bramhagen Dr

Journal of Perioperative Nursing

Aim: This study aimed to investigate mothers’ levels of satisfaction with distraction as a post-operative pain management intervention for their child.

Background: Although the number of studies on paediatric pain management has increased over time, research into non-pharmacological post-operative pain management remains inadequate, indicating that more research is required.

Design: A posttest-only control group design was adopted to measure mothers’ levels of satisfaction with distraction as a non-pharmacological post-operative pain management intervention for their child.

Methods: The study included 160 mothers and their children undergoing elective surgery in a paediatric surgical unit. Mothers and children were randomly allocated to intervention …

Thank You To Our 2021-2022 Reviewers, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Thank you 2021-2022 Reviewers!

Book Review: Applied Concepts In Vision Therapy 2.0, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Press LJ, Taub MB, Schnell PH. Applied Concepts in Vision Therapy 2.0. Santa Ana: Optometric Extension Program; 2022, $159.00, 543 pages, Paperback, ISBN: 9780929780542

Occult Adenocarcinoma Presenting As Presumed Periorbital Cellulitis, Kirk Halvorson Od, Jonathon Thomas Od, Jennifer Prunty Od, Omaya H. Youssef Md, Mba

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Orbital tumors are uncommon entities seen by optometrists. They may initially present as common, benign conditions, but if not appropriately diagnosed can lead to devastating results.

Case Report: This case report demonstrates an atypical presentation of adenocarcinoma that was initially diagnosed as preseptal cellulitis. The patient in this case was ultimately referred for imaging and biopsy to reveal the correct diagnosis. Despite treatment, this patient died about 1 year after his clinical presentation.

Conclusion: The detection of orbital tumors and the subsequent management of patients with orbital tumors can be challenging. When considering orbital tumors as a possible diagnosis, …

Diagnosis And Excision Of A Solitary Trichoepithelioma, Leonid Skorin Jr., Do, Od, Ms

Optometric Clinical Practice

Abstract

Background: Solitary trichoepithelioma is a rare benign tumor of hair follicle origin. Although trichoepithelioma has a predilection for the face and neck, it is not usually found on the eyelids. It has similar clinicopathological features to basal cell carcinoma. Surgical excision and histopathologic analysis is helpful for correct diagnosis.

Case Report: A 59-year-old Caucasian female presented with a raised, reddish oval mass on the right lower eyelid. The mass had telangiectatic blood vessels on its surface, was non-pigmented and slightly umbilicated. It was in close approximation of the eyelid margin causing distortion and poor apposition of the lid to …

A Reactivation Of Ocular Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy, Brett Garee Od, Ms, Sarah Dieter Od, Pete Liette Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite estimated to affect over 500 million people worldwide. The feline is the definitive host for the parasite and infection may be acquired or congenital via maternal transmission. Humans may acquire the infection by ingestion of raw or undercooked meats and vegetables, contaminated water, or exposure to infected cat feces. The infection is often benign, self-limiting, and asymptomatic for humans, but potentially life threatening to infants or the immunocompromised patient.

Case Report: A 22 year-old Caucasian female, pregnant at 12 weeks gestation, presented to the optometry service with acute symptoms of hazy vision …

Minimum Rim Width And Lamina Cribrosa Depth In Non-Glaucomatous And Glaucomatous U.S. Veterans, Jacob Hillard Od, Rachel Druckenbrod Od, Baharak Asefzadeh Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Purpose: Assess the utility of the MRW and lamina cribrosa depth measurements for detecting differences between non-glaucomatous and glaucomatous U.S. Veterans. Compare inter-eye differences of individuals with glaucoma.

Method: 38 subjects were recruited per group: Group 1 included one eye of non-glaucomatous participants, and Group 2 included each qualifying eye of participants with glaucoma. Analysis compared Group 1 with the more affected eye only of Group 2 participants, and separately between the more and less affected eyes of group 2 participants. MRW measurements were obtained with Heidelberg Eye Explorer© (HEYEX). Average lamina cribrosa depths were measured manually utilizing HEYEX.

Results: …

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back In The Water, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Letter from the Editor

Factors Influencing Fellowship Training Among Ophthalmology Residents: A Pilot Study, Craig Czyz, Rahul Kashyap, Laura L. Wayman

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Objective

There has been an increase in ophthalmology fellowship training programs and applicants. The current ophthalmology literature lacks any recent study examining factors influencing residents' decisions to pursue subspecialty fellowship training.

Methods

An anonymous, 16-item survey was distributed to residents from a convenience sample of ophthalmology residency programs by their program directors or administrators.

Results

A total of 72 residents and 9 interns from 9 distinct programs completed the survey. Eighty-two percent of respondents reported they have either applied or will apply for a fellowship position. Gender and race showed no significant association with fellowship application. Respondents perceived that obtaining …

Alumni Journal - Volume 93, Number 3, Loma Linda University School Of Medicine

Alumni Journal, School of Medicine

Editorials
2 | From the Editor
4 | From the President
6 | From the Dean

News
8 | Alumni News + This and That
10 | APC 2023 Preview
12 | School of Medicine News
14 | Students
16 | Department Reports: Family Medicine

Bioethics
18 | What Does the Lord Require of Us?

Features
26 | Alumni Mission Stories
28 | Malawi
30 | Kenya
34 | Nigeria
36 | Ukraine
41 | Alumni Trips 2022
46 | Life After Medicine
48 | Historical Snapshot

In Memoriam
51 | Alumni Remembered

Care Of The Heart, Loma Linda University Health

Scope

Table of Contents

Features
14 | Campus of cardiac care
18 | The hearts of women
22 | Cardiopulmonary rehab
24 | Robotic surgery at LLUH
26 | Interventional procedures
28 | St. Paisley Day
30 | Heart health through nutrition

Departments
4 | From the President: Health care
8 | News: Clinical and campus news
38 | Alumni: Serving our world
44 | Annual Report: The year's people and stats

Health Profession Student’S Readiness Towards Online Learning As A Component Of Blended Learning, Narasimman Swaminathan, Latha Ravichandran, Ramachandran Sivakumar, Steve Milanese

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the entry-level health profession students’ perception and readiness to adopt online learning as a component of blended learning (BL). Methods: A cross sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was administered using Google forms. Entry level Health professionals’ education (HPE) graduate students of a higher education institute in India completed the survey (N= 628). The questionnaire was developed from the literature and content validated by experts. Ethics clearance was obtained from the Institutional ethics committee. Results: Out of 628 responses, 603 fully completed questionnaires were included for analysis. Of the participants, 98 …