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Stress First Aid Implementation To Address Stress Among Acute Care Nurses, Obioma Maryann Asiegbu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Acute care nurses face persistent occupational stress that contributes to burnout, anxiety, depression, and high turnover rates within healthcare systems. The Stress First Aid (SFA) framework offers a proactive, evidence-based approach to identifying and managing psychological distress among healthcare workers. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to implement and evaluate the SFA program as a structured, early-intervention model to improve nurse well-being, retention, and patient care outcomes in an acute care setting. Guided by the Stress Continuum Model and organizational change theory, this project emphasized early recognition of stress, peer support mechanisms, and continuous outcome monitoring. …

Executive Summary: Organization Change Process Initiative Usability And Integration Of A Nutrition Screening Tool In Outpatient Mental Health Care, Jennifer Marie Ross

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This doctoral, practice-focused quality improvement project used a mixed-methods design to evaluate the usability, acceptability, and clinical integration of a nutrition screening tool in a mental health outpatient clinic. The project addresses a key practice gap, the lack of evaluation of the implementation of a systematic nutrition screening for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), which contributes to worsening psychiatric symptoms and delayed recovery. Aligning with nursing’s holistic and patient-centered framework, the initiative aimed to strengthen interprofessional collaboration and preventive care. The guiding practice-focused questions addressed: How usable and acceptable is the clinical practice guideline (CPG) tool among clinic …

Improving Empathy And Reducing Stigmatization In Pre-Clinical Physician Assistant Students Towards Patient Taking Opioids For Chronic Pain: The Feasibility Of A Perspective-Taking Peer Role-Play Intervention, Barbie Ann Seton Stephen

Doctor of Philosophy in Translational Health Sciences Dissertations

Background: Empathy has been identified as a crucial skill for all healthcare providers who treat patients with chronic pain. It has been directly linked to higher patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes. It has also been linked to reduced burnout, fewer medical errors, and improved job satisfaction among healthcare providers. Despite the many interventions that have been developed to promote empathy, the decline of empathy in healthcare providers and trainees continues to be of great concern, especially in pain management and opioid prescribing, thus affecting the quality of care given to these patients. In physician assistant students, this decline has …

Quality Improvement Project: Impact Of Educational Intervention On Post-Acute And Long-Term Care Staff's Confidence And Accuracy In Aims Screening For Tardive Dyskinesia, Tana Whitt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a chronic, often irreversible movement disorder associated with prolonged antipsychotic use. In post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings, inconsistent Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) screening practices and limited clinician education contribute to under recognition and delayed treatment. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project evaluated whether an educational intervention impacted clinicians’ knowledge, confidence, and perceived importance of AIMS screening among licensed and unlicensed PALTC staff. Guided by Donabedian’s Model of Quality and Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, the project used a pre-test/post-test design to measure outcomes before and after completion of the Drug-Induced Movement …

Systemic Racism In Canadian Healthcare: A Policy And Equity Analysis, Kola Adegoke, Abimbola Adegoke, Deborah Dawodu, Temitope Kayode

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: In Canadian healthcare, systemic racism subverts commitment to universal coverage by building inequities into the system of governance, regulation, and clinical practice. Although racial disparities have been documented, little attention has been paid to how institutional structures perpetuate these inequities.

Objective: This study critically examines the organizational aspects of racism in the Canadian healthcare system. It aims to identify structural obstacles faced by racialized patients and foreign-trained physicians and to provide policy recommendations grounded in evidence.

Methods: The authors employed a narrative review framework for qualitative analysis of documents. Public inquiries (eg, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Viens Report), …

The Future Of Nursing Leadership: Incorporating E-Learned Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Pathways With A Precautionary Focus Of Patient-Centered-Care, Jamie Anne Marcus Dr, Bonnette Villalba Webb

FDLA Journal

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a data-driven mathematical process that incorporates machine-based-logic, usually in the form of algorithms. Education, training, and competencies are now conducted through virtual reality, robotics, simulation, and technology learning-based-platforms by healthcare organizations. This represents a significant change in the future of nursing practice. The adaptability of technology-based-learning platforms can impact the quality and efficiency of learning for some of the workforce population. Nurses' perception of technology and AI-driven nursing practice may vary based on generational orientation and can be a potential barrier to learning, practicing, and adaptability of this framework. The forging of well-trained resilient nurse leaders …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Venous Leg Ulcer Prevention, Bini John

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project implemented a standardized program to strengthen knowledge, confidence, and adherence to venous stasis ulcer (VSU) prevention among staff in an outpatient vascular clinic. The practice problem was the lack of standardized staff education, leading to inconsistent patient teaching and recurrent ulceration. VSUs are a significant public health challenge, increasing morbidity, healthcare utilization, and reducing quality of life (He et al., 2024). The practice-focused question for this project was: In frontline medical staff at a vascular outpatient clinic, does a staff education program on a standardized approach to patient education for VSU …

Staff Education On Antibiotic Stewardship For Urgent Care, Darla Michelle Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project focused on a staff education initiative designed to improve antibiotic stewardship among urgent care providers. It evaluated changes in provider knowledge and prescribing intent following an evidence-based educational intervention by asking, “Does staff education on antibiotic stewardship in an urgent care setting enhance knowledge when compared to pre- and post-education assessments?” The purpose was to increase provider knowledge, confidence, and adherence to stewardship principles while influencing prescribing intent. The project consisted of an educational presentation with pre- and post-education surveys. Data was collected using pre- and post-education surveys featuring Likert-scale items that measured provider confidence, knowledge, and …

Relationship Of Job Demands And Perceived Usefulness Of Virtual Nursing Technology Among Bedside Nurses In Acute Care Settings, Oluponle Olubajo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bedside nurses in acute care settings face intensified job demands amid persistent low nursing staff census and rising patient acuity. The purpose of the study, guided by the job demands–resources (JD-R) model, was to examine the relationship between job demands, years of nursing experience, and perceived usefulness of virtual nursing technology among bedside nurses in acute care settings. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to bedside registered nurses (N = 102) currently using virtual nursing technology. Measures included the Intensification of Job Demands Scale and the Perceived Usefulness Scale. Data analyses indicated that the multiple regression was not statistically significant, …

Improving Cauti Prevention In Long-Term Care: An Educational Intervention To Enhance Staff Confidence And Reduce Infection Rates, Diana Meseha

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a common preventable healthcare-associated infection in long-term care. knowledge gaps and inconsistent catheter care by staff and increased catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates. The purpose of this quality improvement project aims at testing whether using a structured educational intervention led to improved confidence of staff and reduced catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates. The project employed Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and Lewin's change model in guiding the behavior and organizational change. A quasi-experimental pretest post-test design was used with the enrolment of nursing employees such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants …

Psychologist-Federal Agent Approaches To Supporting Veterans And Police With Mental Health Challenges, Ismith Bocaille

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored how federal agents and psychologists collaborate to assist veterans and police officers receive offer mental health care. The study paid attention to the potential interplay of artificial intelligence and faith-informed models. Following IPA-based qualitative interviews with federal agents and psychologists and an extensive literature review, the study pointed out some barriers to seeking mental health services, including stigma, rigidity inside organizations, and less peer support. Intervention models that involve patients intensely have emerged as more effective ideas, which are used sparingly. The results indicate that peer support should be incorporated into departmental policies, and closer contact and …

The Impact Of Childcare Services On The Professional And Personal Lives Of Nurse-Parents In Puerto Rico, Sandily Villegas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of childcare services on the professional and personal lives of nurse-parents in Puerto Rico. The problem investigated was that nurses who are parents constantly face challenges regarding balancing work and childcare responsibilities. This study used qualitative research with a grounded theory framework. Neuman System Theory serves as a framework for evaluating the stressors and challenges faced by nurse-parents. The central research question was: How does the availability of childcare services affect the professional and personal lives of nurse-parents in Puerto Rico? To answer this question, data were collected through three …

J Am Coll Dent 2019 86 4

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

J Am Coll Dent 2019 86 3

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

J Am Coll Dent 2018 85 3

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

Educating Emergency Department Nursing Staff: Early Identification Of Sepsis, Cynthia A. Chaney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sepsis remains a life-threatening health challenge, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality within healthcare systems. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to address knowledge deficits among emergency room nurses regarding the early identification and management of sepsis, mainly through the implementation of the 3-hour sepsis bundle. The practice-focused question guiding this project was whether educating nurses on the 3-hour sepsis bundle would increase their knowledge. This project aimed to educate nurses on how to identify sepsis early and implement the sepsis 3-hour bundle in a timely manner, with the overall goal of improving nursing knowledge. The sources of …

Leading With A Doctorate: The Impact Of Advanced Scholarship On Leadership Effectiveness, James R. Kilgore

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

In an era marked by rapid change and complex challenges, the demand for effective leadership has never been more critical. This manuscript explores the transformative impact of doctoral-level education on leadership effectiveness across various sectors, including healthcare and education. Through a comprehensive review of recent literature, this study examines how advanced scholarship fosters critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and strategic insight, which are essential traits for successful leadership. The methodology involves a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles, books, and other scholarly resources published within the past decade, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar. …

Followership Theory In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: A Phenomenological Study Of How The Integration Of Ai Into An Ai-Human Hybrid Cancer Research Team Affects Followership Characteristics, John F. Carrera

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of cancer research teams, helping with data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision support. Although AI changes how work is completed, little is known about how AI changes how followers adapt when AI becomes part of the team. This study examined how AI influences followership characteristics within AIhuman hybrid cancer research teams. A qualitative phenomenological research design was used to explore the lived experiences of nine cancer research professionals who interacted with AI as part of their routine work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed through multiple rounds of qualitative coding to find …

Implementing A Standardized Ssri Tapering Protocol In The Outpatient Setting, Chelsea Sopo-Ngwa

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the most prescribed antidepressant medications in the outpatient psychiatric setting. Abrupt discontinuation or improper tapering of these medications may result in SSRI withdrawal symptoms. Adverse effects may lead to poor patient outcomes and increase healthcare utilization. A baseline chart review and provider readiness survey within the outpatient psychiatric practice revealed inconsistency in provider documentation related to SSRI tapering plans, patient education, and follow-up planning. The gap in practice highlighted the lack of a standardized SSRI tapering protocol to guide evidence-based medication tapering practices and promote patient safety.

Aim: The …

Implementing Pain Reassessment Workflow To Improve Timely Pain Management In Hospice Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Oluremi Omodara

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Timely pain reassessment is a vital component of hospice care, directly influencing the quality of life for patients. Despite the high prevalence of pain, which affects 55% of hospice patients due to disease progression or adverse drug reactions, only 51% of those reporting moderate to severe pain at admission receive a documented reassessment. The gap highlights an organizational issue in pain management stemming from the absence of a clearly defined period and workflow for reassessment.

Aim of the Project: The aim of the quality improvement (QI) project was to improve compliance with pain reassessment documentation within 48 hours …

Ambient Artificial Intelligence In Health Care Documentation: A Review Of Tools, Integration, And Clinical Implications, Jasmin Hundal, Molly Jain Md, Joseph Mccollom Do

PCI Publications and Projects

Introduction: Ambient artificial intelligence (AAI) is increasingly being integrated into clinical workflows to address the documentation burden contributing to clinician burnout. AAI systems use automatic speech recognition and natural language processing to capture real-time clinician–patient dialogue and generate structured documentation within the electronic health record. Methods: This review examines AAI’s technical foundations, clinical applications, and implementation considerations in oncology practice. We describe how current AAI tools extract, classify, and populate relevant clinical content, such as the history of present illness, physical examination findings, and assessment and plan, while adhering to established US coding standards (e.g., International Classification of Diseases [ICD-10]). …

Exploring Workplace Mental Health And Counseling Needs In Open University Staff: A Mixed-Methods Study, Pathanin Sangaroon, Oranuch Kanjanaprakorn, Araya Prasertchai, Worrawit Nakpan

Journal of Health Research

Background: Workplace mental health is a growing concern in higher education, especially in open and distance learning (ODL) settings, where staff face unique stressors. This study examines the mental health and counseling needs of academic and support staff at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), Thailand, using a biopsychosocial lens.

Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used. In the quantitative phase, 332 staff completed a questionnaire on mental health and biopsychosocial factors. Twelve participants then took part in interviews to explore their experiences and counseling preferences. Quantitative data were analyzed using stepwise regression, and qualitative data through thematic analysis. …

Quality Improvement Project Impacting Provider Self-Efficacy And Use Of Cbt For Depression Treatment, Tony Orafunam

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was conducted at a mid-sized outpatient psychiatric clinic in Hempstead, New York, focusing on strengthening providers’ self-efficacy in delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to young adults (aged 19–35) diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Rather than targeting MDD directly, the initiative aimed to impact provider self-efficacy and skill in CBT to improve access to evidence-based treatment and reduce the need for external referrals. Employing Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and the ADKAR change model, the project used a quasi- experimental, one-group pre-test/post-test design. Six advanced practice providers participated in a structured, interactive …

Quality Improvement Project Improving Fall Risk Protocol Compliance Through A Structured Fall Prevention Program In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Lakeesha Jenkins

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Falls remain a persistent patient-safety threat in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). At a Dallas–Fort Worth SNF, a needs assessment identified rising unassisted falls and inconsistent protocol adherence. This quality improvement (QI) project examined whether a structured, evidence-based bundle could improve staff knowledge and fall-prevention processes and reduce falls over four weeks. Guided by Lewin’s Change Theory and implemented with Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles, the pre–post design engaged direct-care staff (registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants; n = 20). The intervention included standardized risk screening with the Morse Fall Scale (MFS), targeted staff education, high-risk visual identifiers, and post-fall huddles. …

Quality Improvement Project Addressing Healthcare Provider Adherence To Diabetic Foot Exams In A Primary Care Clinic, Olaide Akinyinka

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Healthcare providers performing foot examinations are a crucial component in assisting Type II diabetic patients to maintain their health. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine how the providers' implementation of Inlow’s 60-second Diabetic Foot screen, compared to current practice standards, impacts the number of foot exams among Type II diabetic patients at a primary care clinic over 12 weeks. Therefore, it was unknown if or to what degree the provider implementing Inlow’s 60-second Diabetic Foot Screen impacts the number of foot exams conducted compared to the current practice among Type II diabetic patients. Wiedenbach’s Helping Art …

Quality Improvement Project Empowering Nursing Instructors: Faculty Self-Efficacy & Consistency In Simulation Grading, April Guerin

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement (QI) project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of structured training on the Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument (C-CEI) in improving nursing faculty self-efficacy and grading consistency in clinical student evaluations. Inconsistent clinical grading practices among nursing faculty create barriers to reliable competency evaluation and undermine student outcomes. Guided by the Donabedian Model and Lewin’s Change Theory, with implementation structured by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, a quasi-experimental pre-post intervention design was used. Participants include nursing faculty responsible for clinical evaluations, who completed structured C-CEI training delivered via self-paced modules in a learning management system. Faculty self-efficacy was measured using …

Breaking The Silence: A Scoping Literature Review On Trauma-Informed Care For Black Women Navigating Sexual Health-Related Trauma, Ayanna Troutman, Funlola Are, Ashley Okoye, Sarah Chiang, Destiny Craig, Anthony Akande, Irene Stafford

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Black women disproportionately experience sexual health-related trauma, yet their mental health needs are often inadequately addressed due to systemic barriers and stigma. This literature review examines trauma-informed care (TIC) frameworks tailored to Black women, emphasizing culturally responsive practices in addressing sexual health-related trauma. By synthesizing findings from existing research, including the importance of intersectionality, culturally specific interventions, and community-centered approaches, this review highlights effective strategies for mental health providers. The review concludes with implications for enhancing TIC training and implementation in clinical settings which contributes to the advancement of equitable mental health services for Black women.

Quality Improvement Project Diabetes Self-Management Education Training Program, Guylene Lucien

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Diabetes is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States; therefore, effective Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is vital in improving patient outcomes. A needs assessment of the Practice site identified gaps in provider confidence and frequency and consistency of delivering DSME that correlated with poor patient adherence and readmissions. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to implement a structured, evidence-based DSME training program to improve healthcare provider self-efficacy to provide DSME. The project utilized Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and the ADKAR change model and employed a quasi-experimental, one-group pretest–posttest design. Ten providers (six …

Spatial-Temporal Variation Of Diarrhea Among Children Under 5 Years Old Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana Dr., Patrick A. Tschida Dr., Elias Nyandwi Dr.

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

We used secondary data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys of 2010, 2015, and 2020 to assess the spatial-temporal variation of diarrhea among children under 5 years old between the years 2010 and 2020 in Rwanda. Stratified descriptive statistics, pairwise comparisons, and logistic regression designs were used for data analysis in SPSS. A statistically significant variation of diarrhea among children under 5 years old was observed across districts, regions, and urban–rural areas but not at the national level between 2010–2020. Some districts of the Western region, including Nyabihu (OR = 2.5), Ngororero (OR = 2.3), and Karongi …

Evidence-Based Best Practices For Diabetes Education And Self-Care In Appalachia: A Literature Review, Angela J. Occidental, Inga M. Zadvinskis, Jacqueline Hoying

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Appalachian Region has a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated adverse health outcomes. Although numerous papers report best practices for diabetes care and education, a clinician-friendly, synthesized summary of best practices tailored to Appalachian cultural preferences is lacking.

Purpose: This paper uses the Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt evidence-based framework to identify the best practices for T2DM care and education for Appalachian residents.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search using the databases CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PubMed was guided by a PICOT question. Quality appraisals were completed for fifty-two articles; thirty papers were selected to synthesize …