Digital Commons Network^™

Comparing The Difference In Nurses’ Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Near-Death Experiences (Ndes) Before And After Receiving Nde Education, Renata B. Mcallister

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been reported in approximately 6.3% to 39.3% of patients who survived death or critical illness. Research indicated that health care professionals, of whom nurses are the largest group, received little education or training on NDEs. Nurses' responses to a disclosure could help the patient integrate the experience or contribute to stress and isolation. National nursing standards do not address education or competencies specific to NDEs, and few studies have examined educational programs on the topic. This quasi-experimental study examined changes in nurses' knowledge and attitudes before and after a three-part asynchronous training on NDEs, measured with …

Exploring The Impact Of Spiritual Fitness On Combat Veterans In Their Recovery From Ptsd, Chronic Pain, And Sleep-Related Impairments, Minnette Danielle Sandoval Cornish

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how combat veterans utilize and perceive spiritual practices in their recovery from PTSD chronic pain, and sleep-related impairments (SRIs). Guided by Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2017) the study sought to understand which spiritual practices combat veterans used, how they incorporated the practice into recovery, and how they perceived the impact of those practices in managing their symptoms. Participants included 13 combat veterans who self-identified as using spiritual practices in their recovery from PTSD, chronic pain, and SRIs. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Interview and focus …

Implementation Of Staff Education To Reduce Or Prevent Pressure Injury, Beverley A. Moses

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pressure injuries (PIs) present a significant clinical challenge in healthcare settings, particularly among patients with limited mobility, comorbidities, and complex musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries lead to adverse patient outcomes, such as increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and an increase in healthcare costs. Despite advancements in clinical practice, PI prevention remains a critical area for quality improvement, necessitating a standardized, patient-centered approach to care. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve patient outcomes by implementing a standardized educational initiative for nursing staff in a bone and joint unit at a private hospital in Upstate New York. The project …

Staff Education To Primary Care Staff About The Standardized Asthma Control Test, Paulina Asiedu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Staff Education to Primary Care Staff About the Standardized Asthma Control Test by Paulina Asiedu Walden University, 2026. Background Inconsistent primary care asthma tracking leads to reactive management and avoidable emergency utilization. At a Minnesota community clinic, baseline electronic health record (EHR) audits revealed validated Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores were documented in only 5% of eligible encounters, driving a 12% emergency department utilization rate. Purpose & Methods This Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project evaluated whether educating primary care staff on a standardized ACT protocol improved clinical knowledge, behavioral intent, and documentation compliance. Using ADDIE and ADKAR change …

Promoting Scientific Impact At The Nih, Fred D. Ledley M.D.

CISI Publication

We are honored to offer our comments on Promoting Scientific Impact at the NIH in response to NOT-OD-26-087: Request for Information on Measuring and Rewarding Scientific Impact.

These comments are informed by my professional experience as the founding director of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry at Bentley University, which has a mission to “advance the translation of scientific discoveries for public value by engaging science, business, and policy in transdisciplinary dialogue, scholarship, and education.” Our approach is to bring together the perspectives of natural science, business, analytics, economics, law, and policy to better understand, and advance, the …

Implementing A Structured Lifestyle Counseling Program To Improve Weight Management In Obese Adults Ages 18–65 Within The Private Primary Care Setting, Ntoge Sone Penda

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a major public health concern that affects millions of adults. As a chronic, progressive disease, obesity increases the risk of developing several medical conditions. Although evidence-based clinical practice guidelines recommend comprehensive lifestyle modification as a first-line treatment, implementation of structured lifestyle counseling in primary care remains inconsistent. The practice-focused question guiding this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was: Among obese adults aged 18–65 years in a private primary care setting, does implementing a structured lifestyle counseling program improve body weight and body mass index (BMI) outcomes over an 11-week period? An organizational change process guided …

Improving Interdisciplinary Healthcare Staff Confidence And Competence In Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral To Treatment Through Standardized Sbirt Training In A Behavioral Health Facility, Grace Kakie Awo Aidoo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based approach for the early identification and management of substance use concerns. However, inconsistent implementation may occur when healthcare staff lack confidence and competence in applying SBIRT in clinical practice. This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project addressed a practice gap related to low confidence and competence among interdisciplinary healthcare staff implementing SBIRT in a behavioral health facility. The purpose of the project was to implement and evaluate a standardized SBIRT education and competency-based training program. Guided by the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model, the educational intervention incorporated evidence-based …

Guideline For Early Identification Of Chronic Kidney Disease In At-Risk Adults In Primary Care, Catherine Ugo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focused on developing and validating a clinical practice guideline (CPG) to improve the early identification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among at-risk adults in a primary care practice. The project addressed a site-specific practice gap involving the inconsistent use of evidence-based CKD screening, particularly estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing, which may delay diagnosis and treatment (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] CKD Work Group, 2024). The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based CPG and evaluate its quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and …

A Soft-Skilled Leadership Development Course For New Nurse Managers, Kiadrick Roshelle Hood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

New nurse managers are stepping into leadership roles without structured training. While organizations offer various onboarding courses for managers transitioning into new management roles, few have implemented a structured, evidence-based program focused on leadership development, particularly in the soft leadership skills needed to lead a diverse workforce. I designed this staff education project to determine whether implementation of a leadership development course focused on time management, prioritization, and delegation would improve new nurse managers’ self-perception of these leadership skills. To address this gap, I developed a 1-day leadership development course to introduce tools to improve new nurse managers’ time management, …

International Federation Of Clinical Neurophysiology Standardized Stereo-Electroencephalography Terminology, Birgit Frauscher, Guoping Ren, Chifaou Abdallah, Fabrice Bartolomei, Milan Brazdil, Francine Chassoux, Patrick Chauvel, Mark Cook, Beate Diehl, Guada Fernandez Baca Vaca, Stefano Francione, Vadym Gnatkovsky, Walter Gonzalez, Akio Ikeda, Jean Gotman, Julia Jacobs, Lara Jehi, Philippe Kahane, Hui Ming Khoo, Sam Lhatoo, Louis Maillard, Daniel Mansilla, Aileen Mcgonigal, Ioana Mindruta, Dang Khoa Nguyen, Piero Perucca, Ivan Rektor, Sylvain Rheims, Philippe Ryvlin, Stephan Schuele, Andreas Schulze-Bonhage, Margitta Seeck, Jaysingh Singh, Michael Sperling, Rainer Surges, Laura Tassi, Eugen Trinka, Manjari Tripathi, Shuang Wang, Samuel Wiebe, Gregory Worrell, Sandor Beniczky

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) is an intracranial EEG methodology used in presurgical epilepsy evaluation to precisely delineate the epileptogenic zone and associated networks. Although established for decades, its global adoption has accelerated due to a favorable safety profile and clinical effectiveness. However, inconsistent terminology limits comparability of findings and multicenter collaboration. This guideline addresses this gap by providing standardized SEEG terminology based on international consensus.

METHODS: A working group of 41 experts appointed by the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN) Executive Committee used a modified Delphi process to develop standardized terminology. The process included two meetings and four Delphi rounds, …

2026 Focused Update Of The Saudi Heart Association Guidelines On Best Practices In The Management Of Chronic Coronary Syndromes, Owayed Alshammeri, Halia Alshehri, Shukri Alsaif, Mirvat Alasnag, Fatema Qaddoura, Fahad Alqahtani, Yosra Abdulahad A Turkistani, Walid Alharbi, Adel Tash, Mohammad Alshehri, Khalid Al Faraidy, Waleed Alhabeeb

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) continue to impose a substantial clinical and economic burden in Saudi Arabia. Since publication of the 2022 Saudi Heart Association (SHA) CCS guidelines, important advances have emerged in diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, cardiometabolic risk reduction, antiplatelet management, and revascularization. This 2026 focused update selectively revises and clarifies key recommendations to reflect these advances within the Saudi context.

Methods: A multidisciplinary SHA expert panel conducted a structured review of randomized trials, meta-analyses, and relevant international guidance published since 2022. Updates were restricted to areas with substantive new evidence or evolving clinical practice. Recommendations were formulated through expert consensus …

Remarkable Seizure Reduction With Trofinetide Treatment In An Adult With Rett Syndrome: A Case Report, Semihan Adegbite, Pooneh Memar Ardestani, Maromi Nei

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Improved Foraminal Expansion And Pain Scores Following Placement Of Novel Expandable Interlaminar Stabilization Device For Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Robert P. Norton, Ian Koch, Kendra Primavera, Roy Y. Miloh, Alex R. Vaccaro, Mitchell K. Ng

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate radiographic durability and clinical outcomes following placement of a novel expandable interlaminar stabilization device for single-level lumbar spinal stenosis. Specifically, we aimed to: 1) quantify immediate postoperative posterior column distraction; 2) determine whether foraminal expansion is improved postoperatively without radiographic subsidence; and (3) assess potential improvements in patient-reported pain/clinical outcomes.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of adult patients undergoing single-level decompression supplemented by an interlaminar device for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis by a single surgeon from 2024 to 2025. Radiographic parameters included anterior, middle, and posterior disc height, foraminal height, and …

First Evidence Of Clinical Protection From An Eehv1a Mrna Vaccine In Naturally Infected Juvenile Elephants, Rongsheng Peng, Gary S Hayward, Jessica Watts, Jeroen Pollet, Jenny Nollman, Paul D Ling

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Juvenile Asian elephants who have lost maternal antibodies are particularly susceptible to fatal hemorrhagic disease caused by primary infection with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus 1A (EEHV1A). To address this vulnerability, a multi-antigen EEHV1A mRNA vaccine has been administered to EEHV1A seronegative calves at four institutions. However, the extent to which this vaccine confers protective immunity remains an open question. In November 2023, two juvenile male calves (aged 6 and 7 years) were transferred from Dublin Zoo to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and confirmed to be seronegative for EEHV1A. Both calves received an experimental EEHV1A mRNA vaccine in October 2024, …

Evaluation Of A Multiantigen Mrna Vaccine Against Eehv1a In Asian Elephants, Christine Molter, Sarah Cannizzo, Michael Wenninger, Jessica Heinz, Rebecca Eddy, Jessica Emerson, Dewey Maddox, Paul D Ling

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is endemic in Asian elephants and can cause fatal hemorrhagic disease (HD) in juveniles, with calves aged 1-8 years being most vulnerable, particularly following the decline of maternal antibodies. Current supportive treatments, which commonly include fluids, plasma infusions, and human anti-herpesvirus drugs, are not consistently effective, highlighting the urgent need for preventative strategies. To address this challenge, we generated an EEHV1A multi-antigen mRNA vaccine targeting four conserved herpesvirus entry proteins (gB, gH, gL, and gO), which elicited robust humoral and cellular immune responses in mice without adverse effects. Based on these preclinical findings, a vaccine trial …

Action Steps Toward Equity In Communication Sciences And Disorders: A Program Evaluation Of Student Self-Efficacy, Monica Bellon-Harn, Lekeitha Morris, Mark Trahan

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: Within communication sciences and disorders (CSD), preparing students for equitable practice requires instruction aligned with social justice principles. Because students’ confidence in engaging in these practices may influence future behavior, this study examined the effects of an asynchronous program, Action Steps toward Equity (ASE-CSD) on undergraduate and graduate CSD students’ self-efficacy for practices aligned with social justice principles.

Method: A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used with undergraduate (n = 16) and graduate (n = 33) CSD students who completed ASE-CSD. Participants completed the Social Justice Scale (SJS; Torres-Harding et al., 2012), which assessed self-efficacy associated with …

Equity In Evaluation: Examining Grading Practices And Student Experiences In Speech-Language Pathology Education, Jennifer Essig

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Traditional grading practices remain the norm in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) education, despite evidence these systems may exacerbate inequities and affect motivation and perceptions of learning. This study examined how traditional and alternative grading practices are experienced by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in CSD programs. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, survey data were collected from 73 students regarding perceptions of grading, motivation to learn, and emotional responses to assessment. Quantitative analyses indicated that students in alternatively graded classrooms reported significantly higher perceptions of fairness, clarity, and learning than those in traditionally graded settings. Qualitative analysis revealed contrasting emotional …

Targeted Interprofessional Education (Ipe) Curriculum For First-Year Speech-Language Pathology (Slp) Graduate Students, Cody Marie Busch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

ASHA requires that SLP graduate programs facilitate opportunities for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). Research suggests that IPCP initiatives should be integrated throughout the curriculum, rather than isolated interprofessional education (IPE) experiences. 15 first-year SLP graduate students participated in a year-long IPE curriculum focused on the IPEC Core Competencies. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed improved perception of IPCP and appreciation of opportunities to interact with other disciplines. Students noted that SLP graduate programs should integrate IPCP opportunities because they set them up for success with collaboration and help remove the SLP “silo.” Finally, students reported that they plan to use the …

Supporting Neurodivergent Students In Communication Sciences And Disorders: Best Practices Integrating Udl And Tilt In Academic Courses, Jacqueline A. Towson, Nancy Mcintyre, Alexis Cunha

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

In this tutorial, we explore effective andragogical strategies to support neurodivergent students in higher education programs, specifically within academic course in the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). By integrating the evidence-based education practices of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework, faculty can create inclusive and supportive learning environments in academic courses to better support neurodivergent students in CSD programs. We discuss practical applications of these frameworks through two sample assignments, supported by recent research, and provide actionable recommendations for faculty in higher education. The goal of this tutorial is to …

Csdeep Learning Seminar: Connecting Students, Faculty, And Alumni To Promote A Creative Path To Success, Chao-Yang Lee, Emily Jones

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

What do the best college students do to cultivate their intellectual and personal development? How does learning type lead to professional success and personal fulfillment? We report the design and implementation of a seminar in which undergraduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders collaborated with peers, faculty, and alumni to explore the meaning and application of deep learning. Participants examined how learning type shapes college experience through book discussions and conversations with alumni. Feedback from participants suggests that the book discussions and alumni conversations broadened the students’ perspective on learning type, purpose of college education, and success and failure. The …

Simulated Participant Engagement In Communication Sciences & Disorders Programs: A Scoping Review, Jason Konzelmann, Richard I. Zraick

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Introduction. Simulated participants (SPs) are widely used in medical and nursing education, but their application in allied health, including Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), remains limited. Despite accreditation standards supporting simulation in CSD training, student engagement with SPs is still uncommon.

Objectives. This scoping review examined recent literature on SP use in CSD programs involving speech-language pathology or audiology students or providers. We explored how SPs were integrated and identified gaps for future research.

Methods. Guided by PRISMA-ScR, we searched six databases and an internet search yielded one additional article. Studies published between 2019 and 2025 were included if they …

Ulcerative Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Without Systemic Involvement: An Isolated Presentation, Kayla Brockmeyer, Simona A. Alomary, Ananya Udyaver, Lauren Banner, Alessio Gianni, Sweta Subhadarshani

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Staff Education On Frailty And Senior Surgical Safety, Kimberly Buhay Gibu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education doctoral project addressed a practice gap involving limited education on frailty assessment and senior surgical safety within the general surgery department of a large, integrated healthcare system. Frailty is associated with increased postoperative complications, hospitalizations, readmissions, and mortality among older adults, making early recognition essential to improving surgical outcomes. The practice-focused question project was: Does education on frailty screening and senior surgical safety improve the knowledge, confidence, and intent of general surgery staff in a large, integrated health system? The purpose was to develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based educational intervention. The project was guided by the …

Staff Education To Improve Blood Pressure Reassessment And Referral Practices In An Urgent Care Setting, Carolyn Denise Kluttz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education and quality improvement initiative designed to improve blood pressure (BP) reassessment and referral compliance among adult patients presenting with elevated BP readings in an urgent care setting. Elevated blood pressure is frequently identified during urgent care visits; however, provider responses and follow-up recommendations are often inconsistent, creating missed opportunities for early identification and intervention. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: In adult patients presenting to urgent care settings, how does implementing a standardized nurse-led hypertension screening and referral protocol, compared with usual care, affect the identification and follow-up …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Standardized Scheduling In A Certified Home Health Agency, Roger Nounamo Kamkoumeu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this staff education project, I addressed the concerning rate of missed patient visits in home healthcare settings. At the practicum site, there has been no education program addressing scheduling and communication best practices for staff. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: Among nursing staff in a home health agency, does implementation of a staff education program on a standardized scheduling and reminder protocol, improve staff knowledge of missed visit reduction practices? The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of the staff training on staff knowledge of scheduling, communication, and reminder protocols for the reduction of …

Addressing Implicit Bias Toward Patients With Substance Use Disorders Through A Staff Education Quality Improvement Initiative, Jeanne Baleng Okuwobi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was a staff education quality improvement (QI) initiative designed to reduce implicit bias among healthcare providers toward patients with substance use disorder (SUD) at a community mental health center. Provider implicit bias toward patients with SUD contributes to stigma, inequitable care, reduced treatment engagement, and poorer health outcomes; addressing this bias is essential to advancing patient safety, health equity, and quality nursing care. The practice-focused question guiding this project asked whether a 9-week evidence-based staff education program incorporating didactic instruction and reflective practice would reduce provider implicit bias toward patients with SUD compared with current practice, which …

Comments Re: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program And Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Fred D. Ledley M.D., Edward Zhou Pharm. D.

CISI Publication

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written comments in response to the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program proposed rule published on June 16, 2026 in the Federal Register. [1] We are answering as academic researchers with experience in medicine, pharmacy, biomedical research, and the biopharmaceutical industry. Our perspective is informed by extensive, published research on the economics and finance of pharmaceutical innovation, the value created by new medicines, and the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

We applaud the accomplishment of the IRA in establishing the precedent for the government to negotiate “fair market prices” for drugs on …

Two-Thirds Return But Performance Suffers: Acl Reconstruction Outcomes Across Elite European Women's Soccer Leagues, Haneef Khan, Forest Rodriguez, Amina Khan, Ashley Rosenberg, Stephen Marcaccio

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

PURPOSE: To analyse return-to-play (RTP) rates, timing and performance outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in elite European women's soccer players across the top five leagues.

METHODS: We reviewed ACL injuries sustained by female professional soccer players across the Bundesliga, Women's Super League, Primera División Femenina, Serie A Women and Première Ligue between 2007 and 2025. Players were included if they had a confirmed ACL injury requiring ACLR and one season of performance data pre- and post-injury. Players were excluded if the injury occurred during their rookie season or after the 2023 season. Data were collected from Soccerdonna.de …

Staff Education On Improving Medication Adherence, Oneil Dobgima Galega

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a practice gap in an outpatient behavioral health setting involving inconsistent use of structured communication strategies to support medication adherence among psychiatric patients. Although nurses routinely provided medication instructions, approaches such as motivational interviewing and psychoeducation were underutilized, limiting patient engagement, understanding, and adherence, and ultimately affecting care continuity and outcomes. The purpose of the project was to improve psychiatric nurses’ knowledge and intent to use motivational interviewing and psychoeducation to enhance medication adherence. The guiding practice-focused question examined whether a structured educational intervention could strengthen nurses’ competencies in these communication strategies. …

Self-Care Behavior And Diabetes Knowledge In African American Women With Type 2 Diabetes, Rena Renee Barron

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women experience a disproportionate burden of Type 2 diabetes, and limited evidence exists regarding the relationship between diabetes knowledge and self-care behaviors, particularly among African American female veterans. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between diabetes knowledge and diabetes self-care among African American women with Type 2 diabetes, including a subsample of African American female veterans, and to evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic (2017–2019 vs. 2021–2023) moderated this relationship. Additional variables included age, marital status, physical health, and mental health. Guided by the social-ecological model, de-identified data from the Behavioral Risk Factor …