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Enhancing Cultural Competency Through Training In A Primary Care Clinic, Rogelio Perez Iii

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Cultural competence remains essential in primary care settings serving diverse populations, yet staff at a small Southern Texas primary care clinic reported no previous formal cultural competency training in workplace orientation or school. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project was to evaluate whether a brief, evidence-based cultural competency intervention improved clinician cultural competency scores. Madeleine Leininger’s Culture Care Theory provided the theoretical framework, Lewin’s Change Theory guided the change process, and the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle directed implementation and evaluation. The problem addressed was the lack of structured training to support culturally responsive communication, patient trust, and …

Enhancing Mental Health Support For Motor Vehicle Accident (Mva) Survivors Through Occupational Therapy (Ot)-Led Support Groups, Emma K. Gooden Ms

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project, completed during a 14-week Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) with Georgetown-Scott County EMS (GSCEMS), focused on the ACOTE target areas of Program Development and Advocacy by creating an evidence-based, trauma-informed, occupational therapy support group curriculum for motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors. A literature review and needs assessment identified a significant gap in post-crash care, as many survivors experience long-term psychological challenges—including PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of driving, and disruptions in daily roles—despite care often emphasizing physical rehabilitation over emotional recovery. Drawing from observations of GSCEMS Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management meetings, current evidence, and ongoing …

Fieldwork Educators' Perspectives On Occupational Therapy Students Addressing Sexuality And Intimacy: Expectations, Supports, And Barriers, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg

Student Dissertations

Sexuality and intimacy are recognized as meaningful occupations within occupational therapy practice; however, they remain inconsistently addressed in clinical care. Previous research has identified limited educational preparation as a contributing factor to occupational therapists' discomfort and lack of confidence in addressing these occupations. Although classroom instruction provides foundational knowledge, Level II fieldwork serves as the primary setting in which students apply knowledge within authentic clinical environments. Despite the central role of FW educators in facilitating students' professional development, little research has explored how they prepare OT students to address sexuality and intimacy during fieldwork. The purpose of this basic qualitative …

Breast Cancer Knowledge, Awareness And Screening Practices Among Female Healthcare Workers In Al-Mukalla, Yemen, Wafa Al Shoaeeb, Ahmed M. Badheeb, Faisal Ahmed, Amen Bawazir, Abdulla Bin Nabhan, Mohammed Badheeb, Abdulkader Bayazid

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and represents a significant burden for Yemeni women. Early detection through breast self-examination (BSE) and knowledge of risk factors and symptoms are crucial. This study aimed to assess awareness, knowledge and practice regarding BC risk factors, symptoms and BSE among female healthcare workers (HCWs) in Al-Mukalla, Yemen. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2022 at three public hospitals in Al-Mukalla, Yemen. A census sampling approach was used to recruit HCWs. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire covering breast awareness practices, risk …

Understanding Brain Fog During Menopause, Cris Meier, Moth Huenemann, Ashley Yaugher, Cara Murray

All Current Publications

Brain fog is an inability to concentrate or think clearly and is a common symptom of perimenopause and early in the menopause phase. While not everyone who goes through menopause will have brain fog, it is a common symptom, and it can be helpful to understand why brain fog occurs. This fact sheet provides helpful information to understand brain fog and ideas you can use to manage it.

Establishment Of A Specialized Pectus Clinic: Referral Patterns, Diagnostic Characteristics, And Early Management Experience At A University Hospital, Zeead M. Alghamdi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To describe the establishment and early impact of a dedicated pectus clinic at a university hospital, focusing on patient characteristics, referral pathways, clinical presentation, and initial management strategies. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a university hospital between January 2020 and April 2025, with 153 patients included in the final analysis. Data collected included demographic characteristics, referral sources, clinical presentation, deformity type, and treatment options. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: The mean patient age was 18.3 (range 1–44) years, with males accounting for 83.9% of cases. Pectus carinatum was the most common diagnosis (48.1%), followed by …

Evaluation Of Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Screening Tool For Genitourinary Syndrome Of Menopause, Anna L. Myers

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a prevalent yet underrecognized and undertreated condition despite evidence-based therapies in the urology setting. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement was to provide education on the 2025 American Urological Association/ Society of Urodynamics and Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction/American Urogynecological Society GSM guidelines and integrate the Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging (DIVA) questionnaire into practice, evaluate outcomes of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention, and the impact on diagnosis and associated GSM prescribing. The aim was to impact provider screening and treatment of patients with GSM. Kolcaba's Comfort …

Anatomy Of Success: Unveiling Key Resources For A Stand-Alone Occupational Therapy Anatomy Course, Annika Knuth, Sophia Wilkes, Julia Huber, Graci Leineberg, Rebecca Ozelie

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Anatomy is a complex curriculum involved in occupational therapy education. This study aimed to investigate occupational therapy (OT) students’ perceived usefulness of resources offered in a stand-alone anatomy course within their program. A survey was administered to 284 OT students enrolled in accredited programs who had completed a stand-alone anatomy course. The survey assessed the resources available, their usage, and the perceived benefit to students' learning. Results indicated that open labs and teaching assistants were perceived as the most valuable resources for student success, while print/electronic textbooks and office hours were perceived as the least beneficial. These findings suggest that …

Enhancing New Graduate Nurse Confidence And Patient Safety Through Clinical Development Coach Integration, Megan T. Kramer

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

The transition from student to professional nurse is a critical developmental stage often marked by heightened stress, emotional exhaustion, and uncertainty in clinical judgment. These challenges frequently contribute to lower confidence levels, increased anxiety, and higher risks for patient safety events among new graduate nurses. This program evaluation project aims to assess the effectiveness of integrating a Clinical Development Coach (CDC) role to enhance new graduate nurse’s confidence, comfort, and overall competence while reducing patient safety incidents on a trauma/surgical inpatient unit in a medical center on the East coast. The CDC role is a structured mentorship and resource position, …

Implementation Of A Deteriorating Patient Simulation For New Graduate Nurses To Improve Clinical Judgment: A Quality Improvement Project, Kasey Mundell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

New graduate nurses (NGNs) often have trouble recognizing and responding to patient deterioration because of limited clinical judgment and confidence during the transition to practice. This quality improvement project evaluated the implementation of a high-fidelity deteriorating patient simulation within a new graduate nurse orientation program at a Level I trauma center. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Standards of Best Practice, the simulation focused on the assessment and management of a patient experiencing pulmonary embolism. Eight NGNs participated in the simulation and completed the Attitudes Toward Recognizing Early and Noticeable …

Evaluating The Implementation And Progress Of A Bereavement Care Program In An Acute Care Adult Hospital, Nancy Abraham

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Bereavement care is a significant component of patient and family centered care; however, it remains inconsistently addressed in acute adult hospital settings. Families of patients who die in hospitals frequently experience grief, anxiety, and emotional distress, which may be exacerbated by fragmented or inadequate bereavement support (Kustanti et al., 2021). Evidence supports the use of structured, interdisciplinary approaches to bereavement care to ensure timely, consistent, and compassionate support for families. To address this gap, a Bereavement Committee was established at a Level I trauma center in eastern Pennsylvania to implement a standardized Bereavement Care Program aimed at improving bereavement practices …

From Novice To Competent: Enhancing Orientation And Readiness For Post-Anesthesia Care Nurses, Gerri Y. Young

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses are responsible for managing complex postoperative patients requiring advanced clinical judgment, airway management, hemodynamic monitoring, and rapid recognition of complications. Many nurses transition into the PACU without formal perianesthesia education, resulting in variability in orientation practices, competency validation, and preparedness for independent practice. At a military treatment facility (MTF) in Mississippi, 78% of newly assigned PACU nurses had only one to two years of medical-surgical experience, and a standardized orientation program was not available.

This quality improvement project aimed to implement and evaluate a standardized, evidence-based PACU orientation program designed to improve nurse knowledge, confidence, …

Disengagement And Reconnection: Investigating The Role Of Purpose And Identity Seeking Across Career Stages In Healthcare, Charmel Renee Jeffery

Radiologic Sciences

Purpose To examine the generational purpose gap in healthcare by identifying the psychological and environmental factors underlying early-career disengagement and late-career reconnection.

Method An integrative literature review was conducted using four academic databases. An artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted thematic synthesis was applied to extract and organize findings within a standardized analytic matrix. To ensure accuracy and rigor, all AI-generated outputs were validated against the original source data.

Results Two primary themes emerged. Early-career healthcare workers commonly experienced disengagement associated with destiny beliefs, while later-career professionals demonstrated renewed purpose and resilience despite ongoing stressors.

Discussion The findings revealed a pronounced generational divide …

Impact Of Music On Patient Comfort During Mr Scans: A Literature Review, He Yan

Radiologic Sciences

Purpose To investigate the influence of auditory stimuli on patient comfort levels during magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with particular emphasis on indicators of distress, duration of patient positioning, and utilization of emergency signaling devices.

Method An integrative literature review was undertaken utilizing peer-reviewed research articles sourced from journals within the fields of radiology, music therapy, and clinical practice. A comprehensive search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Oxford Academic employing keywords including MR anxiety, music therapy, and patient comfort.

Results The body of literature consistently indicated that auditory stimuli significantly mitigate patient anxiety and distress in …

"Help Me Live It The Way You Do": Grounding Singaporean Responses To The Rorschach Situation, Casey Y. Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary research on the Rorschach and culture is striking for the latter’s disappearance as a variable of significance (Meyer et al., 2015; Meyer et al., 2007; Mihura et al., 2013; Viglione & Hilsenroth, 2001). This erasure is chronicled and reproduced in the narratives of universal objectivity, of extensive international meta-analyses, of replications, of standardized norms (Ritzler, 2004; Smith et al., 2018; Smith et al., 2020; Weiner, 2004). A different story emerges, however, when we ask, how has culture disappeared? The proposed study is a multimethod qualitative analysis of Singaporean responses to the Rorschach, aimed at generating sensitive yet critical discourses …

Bridging The Gap: Documenting The Effectiveness Of Counseling Education In A Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program, Gianna Baker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the impact of a required counseling course through Duquesne University's Speech-Language Pathology program, particularly regarding student’s counseling self-efficacy and their ability to apply counseling skills within clinical practice. Nineteen first year Master’s students in Speech-Language Pathology at Duquesne University during 2025 participated in this study while enrolled in a counseling course and providing therapy to clients. Students completed the Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scales for SLPs (CASES) (Victorino & Hinkle, 2019) prior to beginning and after completion of the required counseling course. While observing video-recorded therapy sessions, the Counselor Competencies Scale-Revised (CCS-R) (Lambie & Swank, 2024) …

Quality Improvement Project From Novice-To-Expert: Training Nurse Faculty On Virtual Simulation, Dae'visha Kinniebrew

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Virtual simulation is an evidence-based teaching strategy that enhances student learning; however, inconsistent faculty preparation limits its implementation in nursing education. A needs assessment identified a practice gap, with 70% of nursing faculty reporting no virtual simulation training within the previous 12 months. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured non-immersive virtual simulation training program on nursing faculty confidence, perceived competence, and technology readiness in an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. The aim was to improve faculty preparedness to implement non-immersive virtual simulation. A quantitative, quasi-experimental, …

The Impact Of A Structured Education Program On Artificial Intelligence Use For Nursing Faculty On Teaching Practices, Katy White

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into nursing education; however, nursing faculty report inconsistent preparedness, including gaps in AI knowledge and self-efficacy for responsible AI integration. This quality improvement project addressed inconsistent faculty preparedness through an asynchronous AI educational program. The purpose was to address gaps in AI knowledge and self-efficacy, and the aim was to evaluate changes in AI self-efficacy and AI knowledge while supporting AI integration into nursing education. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory served as the change theory, the Technology Acceptance Model served as the theoretical framework, and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework guided implementation. A quantitative one-group pretest-posttest …

Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On The Roles And Career Trajectories Of Radiologic Technologists, Carolina Esquivel

Radiologic Sciences

Purpose To examine how artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing the roles, responsibilities, and career trajectories of radiologic technologists by identifying emerging challenges and opportunities associated with AI integration in medical imaging.

Method A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2026. Eligible studies examined AI applications in medical imaging and their effects on workforce roles, education, collaboration, and professional practice. Findings were synthesized using thematic analysis.

Results Three primary themes emerged: (a) workflow efficiency and protocol optimization through AI-assisted imaging processes; (b) professional skill development and evolving responsibilities related to …

Administrative And Clinical Impacts Of Theranostic Program Expansion In Nuclear Medicine, Karmela Kljajic Pascual

Radiologic Sciences

Purpose To synthesize current evidence on theranostic trials, nuclear medicine clinical workflow models, and organizational readiness, with a focus on how healthcare organizations and medical imaging leaders are adapting to the rapid expansion of theranostic services.

Method A comprehensive search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required peer‑reviewed articles published between 2002 and 2026 addressing nuclear medicine leadership, theranostic implementation, workflow design, and organizational factors influencing theranostic program development. Exclusion criteria removed editorials, blog posts, and nonpeer‑reviewed sources.

Results Four major themes emerged: workforce and staffing demands, infrastructure and resource requirements, regulatory and administrative pressures, …

Program Development: Integration Of Occupation In Adaptive Fitness, Havyn A. Isaac, Lakeisa Boykin

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project was a program development and implementation of an adaptive fitness program for individuals with physical disabilities that integrates occupation. This was done to bridge the gap between adaptive fitness and occupational therapy and highlight the role of occupational therapy in adaptive fitness settings. A needs assessment and activity analysis were completed and used to develop the weekly sessions throughout implementation. The implementation phase was over 6 weeks, with 3 sessions a week. Each week had an occupational focus that was identified and broken down with the activity analysis. The program highlighted the role of occupational therapy in adaotive …

Psychosocial Experiences Of Secondary School Students Living With Sickle Cell Disease While In School In Lagos State, Nigeria, Toluwalope Yetunde Onuwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a lifelong genetic condition significantly impacting the physical, emotional, and social health of those affected. Nigeria has one of the highest global burdens of SCD, yet there is limited research on the psychosocial experiences of secondary school students living with SCD in educational settings. This qualitative study explored these experiences among students in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using the social ecological model and interpreted through the social model of disability, the study examined how school environments, educational practices, and institutional support influenced students' psychosocial well-being and perceived health. Twenty secondary school students participated in 4 in-person …

Staff Education On Improving Staff Knowledge Of Medication Adherence In An Outpatient Psychiatric Facility, Okechukwu Chidiadi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a staff education initiative designed to improve staff knowledge of medication adherence at an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic. Addressing this matter is critical because it directly impacts the quality of patient care. The practice focus question was: Among psychiatric mental health staff in a behavioral health facility, what is the impact of a staff educational program on teaching medication adherence to patients on the staff’s knowledge? The purpose of this staff education project was to improve staff knowledge of medication adherence by equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to help patients manage their treatment plans …

Reducing Seclusion In Inpatient Psychiatric Units Through Staff Education, Amaka Nkala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Seclusion remains a restrictive intervention used in inpatient psychiatric settings despite evidence linking it to psychological trauma, physical harm, and adverse patient outcomes. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project evaluated the effectiveness of a trauma-informed care and de-escalation education program in improving nurses' confidence in managing patient escalation. The project used a pre- and post-intervention quality improvement design with 24 inpatient psychiatric nurses. Participants completed a 10-item, 5-point Likert-scale confidence survey before and after a 30-minute educational session delivered via PowerPoint. Descriptive statistics were used to compare pre- and post-intervention confidence scores. Mean confidence scores increased from …

Clinical Practice Guideline For A Capstone‑To‑Residency Transition Program, Rebecca Ginika Chinonso

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition from student nurse to professional practice remains a vulnerable period marked by role ambiguity, stress, and early turnover. At a large medical center, the lack of a structured bridge between the final capstone experience and the residency program contributed to inconsistent onboarding, reduced confidence, and diminished resilience among new graduates. Addressing this gap is essential for strengthening retention, supporting workforce stability, and improving patient outcomes within nursing practice. An evidence‑based clinical practice guideline (CPG) outlining best‑practice recommendations for a new graduate transition program from capstone to residency was developed for the facility. The practice‑focused question asked whether the …

Consecuencias De La Violencia Docente: Recuentos Desde El Campo De La Formación Musical Universitaria En México, Karla M. Reynoso Vargas, Basilio Fernández-Morante

Visions of Research in Music Education

Este es un trabajo independiente, pero complementario al estudio «La violencia docente en la educación musical universitaria: una exploración en el contexto mexicano». Presenta el análisis de la información que se desprende de 53 relatos de víctimas de violencia docente en programas universitarios de música. Incorporamos reflexiones y aportaciones de estudiantes, profesionales y personas que abandonaron sus carreras de música en la República Mexicana, quienes compartieron voluntariamente sus historias. La primera categoría describe las consecuencias de la violencia docente. Por un lado, se observaron efectos interpretados como positivos, entre ellos la activación de la orientación al logro, el sobreesfuerzo y …

Comparative Analysis Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Implications For Active Learning And Assessment At Various Curricular Levels Of Stem And Health Sciences In Developed Versus Underprivileged Countries, Vinay Munlapudi, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

Today’s all-pervasive emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of its role in education, especially for occupational disciplines in health sciences and STEM. AI has reshaped student learning and instructors’ navigation of the evolving, post coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) global academic landscape. This study aimed at encapsulating evidence-based AI implications for student-centered, active learning and assessment at various curricular levels of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and health sciences education in developed versus underprivileged or less developed countries. An extensive, scoping review of 65 recent, scholarly publications was conducted over six months through diverse search engines (PubMed, Google …

Assessment Of Parents' Informational Needs Before Pediatric Day Care Surgery In Makkah City, Saudi Arabia, Ammar H. Habiballah, Raghad Y. Shosho, Raed M. Babukur, Sultan M. Banser, Sarah S. Almohammadi, Muhannad M. Alharbi, Thekra A. Alwafi, Shahad S. Alkabkabi, Raed F. Alsufi

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Introduction Pediatric surgical procedures can be highly stressful for children and their parents due to factors such as limited understanding, lack of control, and anxiety. The study aims to assess the informational needs of parents of children scheduled to undergo day care surgery in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months. The study included parents or caregivers of children scheduled for day care surgery in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia.A convenient sampling techniques was used for participant selection. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results The study included 380 participants and assessed parental informational needs …

Immigration Status And Lung Cancer Diagnosis In U.S. First-Generation Immigrants, Valeriya Lockwood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The healthy immigrant effect (HIE) is an observed phenomenon in which immigrants exhibit better health outcomes than native-born residents, though relatively few studies have examined its role in chronic diseases in the United States. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to assess the associations between immigration status, age, sex, race/ethnicity, median household income, and geographic location and lung cancer diagnosis in first-generation immigrant adults aged 18 or older. The subsequent health trajectory model provided the theoretical framework for the study. Data were obtained from the SEER*Stat Database 1975-2022 (N = 1,993). Binomial regression analysis showed that immigrants were …

Perceived Trustworthiness As A Pathway Linking Adhd Traits To Large Language Models Dependency: Evidence From Uk And Chinese Samples, Ala Yankouskaya, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Haibo Yang, Xiaokun Wang, Jiaojiao Chen, Tina Yunsi Ma, Sameha Alshakhsi, Guandong Xu, Raian Ali

All Works

Large language models (LLMs) create contexts in which individual differences may shape reliance on digital systems. Drawing on neurodiversity, this study examined whether perceived trustworthiness of user’s primary LLM mediates associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits and LMM dependencyinstrumental and relationship LLM dependency. Adults in the UK (n = 567) and China (n = 577) reported ADHD traits, perceived LLM trustworthiness of LLM, and both types of dependency. Across samples, higher ADHD traits were associated with lower trustworthiness, whereas greater trustworthiness was associated with greater instrumental and relationship dependency, yielding negative indirect effects. In the UK, direct ADHD-dependency associations were …