Risk Factors Associated With Moderate And Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Mortality In Admitted Older Adults: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study At A Level Ii Trauma Center., Michael Sawyers, Katherine Graham, John Elliott, Jeff Hubartt

Trauma and Acute Care Articles

Purpose: Approximately one in four adults aged ≥65 years experiences a fall each year, and over one-third of these events require medical care. Older adults are at higher risk of complications because of comorbidities. Most prior studies have focused on incidence rather than outcomes, and few have evaluated the association between age and traumatic brain injury (TBI) mortality. This study assessed risk factors and risk-adjusted mortality and morbidity among older adults with moderate or severe TBI.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of data from a single-center trauma registry. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 years, admission ≥3 days (2019-2024), Abbreviated …

The Relationship Between Resiliency Scores And Nurse Educators Intent To Stay In Academia: A Predictive Correlational Study, Michele Lee Blash

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A shortage of both clinical nurses and nursing educators exists. These shortages have a multitude of impacts on the field of nursing, both at the bedside and in academia. The shortage of clinical nurses impacts the number of nurses available to provide quality patient care. The shortage of nursing educators can impact the number of students accepted into nursing programs and, in turn, the number of new nurses available to provide direct care to patients. The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental predictive correlational design study was to examine how the resiliency of nursing educators impacts their intent to stay in …

Re-Education On Chlorhexidine (Chg) Bathing Protocol Affects Patient Chg Bathing Compliance And Surgical Site Infection (Ssi) Rates, Mary Samantha Ross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Surgical site infections (SSI) are considered a hospital-acquired infection, leading to increased hospital length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, increased cost, morbidity, mortality rates, and poor postoperative outcomes. The literature review demonstrated the benefits of preoperative Chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing, but called for standardized protocols, improved education, and patient compliance. Research and clinical experience supported the need for improved patient compliance with CHG bathing. Consistent SSI rates even after protocol changes called for re-education of nursing staff in addition to addressing patient compliance issues. Therefore, providing re-education on the updated protocol, which addresses patient compliance issues, can lead to a reduction …

Progress, Poetry, And Peace: Romantic Ideals And The Present Day, Kristen Dawn Morgan Hess

Masters Theses

In the busy, technologized, and mechanized life that most people live today, it can be difficult to find true rest, comfort, and peace because the very technology and machinery that is marketed as providing these 21st-century amenities often fall short in their delivery. Taking a look backward at the Romantic era ideals presented in the poetry of William Wordsworth can offer people today the chance to gradually improve their mental, physical, and emotional health by slowing down, minimalizing, and moderating their lifestyles. This thesis talks about the historical background of three of Wordsworth’s poems— “Lines Written in Early Spring,” “The …

Novice Nurses’ Perceptions Of Caring With Empathy In An Acute Care Hospital In The Northeastern United States: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Haley Zurcher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the essence of the experience of empathy among novice nurses in an acute care facility in the Northeast United States. The Central Research Question (CRQ) for this study was: What was the perceived experience/understanding of empathy by novice nurses working in acute care settings in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States? The study was guided by Bandura’s (1977) self-efficacy theory to examine how confidence, environmental influences, and personal beliefs shaped the development and expression of empathy in early nursing practice. The study was conducted at a large acute care hospital. The sample …

Nurse-Led Remote Patient Monitoring In Outpatient Heart Failure, Jackline Ukadike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of avoidable hospital readmissions and emergency department visits due to delayed recognition of early symptom exacerbation between routine outpatient encounters. This doctoral quality improvement project evaluated whether the implementation of an evidence-based, nurse-led remote patient monitoring (RPM) standard operating procedure (SOP) improved early identification of symptom exacerbation compared to standard episodic care among adult heart failure patients (NYHA Class II–III) in an outpatient primary care setting over a 10-week period. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) and escalation protocol were developed and appraised by a 3-member …

Staff Education On Teaching Evidence-Based Chronic Pain Management, Valdane Eleonu Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focused on educating providers to fill in knowledge gaps in how to effectively manage chronic pain. The lack of knowledge about the evidence-based recommendations for treating chronic pain was the practice gap. Standardized training protocols to instruct pain management professionals and address disparities in chronic pain management care should be in place to guarantee that all patients in need of chronic pain management have access to culturally appropriate education.

Barriers And Facilitators To Health Literacy Among Black Americans With Overweight And Obesity In South Carolina: A Mini-Ethnographic Study, Shelly Campbell-Timmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative mini ethnography adapted from traditional ethnography with limited time and scope, was to explore and understand perceptions of barriers and facilitators to health literacy among Black Americans with overweight and obesity in three South Carolina counties. Population data showed that approximately 40.3% of U.S. adults are obese. Moreover, Non-Hispanic Black communities are disproportionately affected by overweight and obesity despite efforts to combat the weight-related health risk. Still, limited health literacy should be the focus of public health strategies like teach-back and plain language communication, to address overweight and obesity prevalence and disparities. The study was …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Individuals With Post-Acute Sequelae Of Sars-Cov-2 Infection (Pasc) In Rwanda: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Iliza Grace Ndatinya, Simal Thind, Fernand Rwamwejo

Global Health Articles

OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively explore the lived experiences of individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) in Rwanda, with the aim of informing context-appropriate interventions to improve patients' quality of life.

DESIGN: Qualitative, phenomenological study using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis.

SETTING: All provinces of Rwanda, including the City of Kigali.

PARTICIPANTS: Adults who tested positive for PASC during a nationwide prevalence study were purposively sampled across all study sites. A total of 30 people were interviewed before saturation was reached.

RESULTS: Participants' lived experiences with PASC were characterised by numerous themes. Despite describing significant life changes since their COVID-19 …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of Perioperative Application Of Biofeedback-Based Virtual Reality Vs Control For Pain And Anxiety In Children And Adolescents Undergoing Surgery: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Anna Lin, Brenna Rachwal, Lindsey Asti, Zandantsetseg Orgil, Isabela Santiago, Lili Ding, Susmita Kashikar-Zuck, Christopher King, Sara Williams, William Black, Peter Minneci, Vanessa Olbrecht

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The impact of biofeedback-based virtual reality (VR-BF) on pain and anxiety in pediatric surgical patients remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of perioperative VR-BF use in children and adolescents.

METHODS: We performed a single-blind, 2-arm, randomized pilot trial. Children aged 12 to 18 years undergoing surgery with expected moderate-to-severe postoperative pain and more than 1 overnight admission were randomized (1:1) to the intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group received VR-BF using ForeVR (functional outcome response to engaging virtual reality [VR]), a novel, gamified digital intervention that integrates …

Degree Assortativity And Estimation Of Degree Distribution In A Contact Network Of People Who Inject Drugs, Peter Geissert

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation analyzes data from a respondent driven sampling (RDS) study of people who inject drugs in Portland, OR.  The objective was to assess assumptions for the use of weighted estimators to estimate a population physical contact (syringe sharing) network degree distribution.

Visualization of degree distribution for social and physical networks, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests of difference, and kernel tests of equivalence were used for comparison of distributions. Spearman's rho and GAM non-parametric regression models were used to test for association and assess non-monotonic relationship. The validity of Markov chain assumptions for RDS was assessed using a transition matrix, Markov chain graphs, …

Caregiver Burden And Health-Related Quality Of Life Among Parents Of Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Ahmed K. Bamaga Bamaga

Journal of Medical Rehabilitation Science

Background: Caring for a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) places significant physical and emotional demands on parents and may negatively affect caregiver quality of life (QoL). This study assessed caregiver burden and QoL among parents of children with DMD.

Methods: This study included 77 parents of children with genetically confirmed DMD recruited from two pediatric neurology and pediatric neuromuscular clinics (King Abdulaziz University Hospital and Alsalama Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). Caregiver burden was assessed using the 22-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and caregiver QoL using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) physical and mental component summary scores (PCS, MCS). Group comparisons, …

Operative Vs Non-Operative Management Of Ventral Hernia: A Population Based Study Of Long-Term Benefits And Consequences, Sourav Podder, Julia A. Baran, Scott H. Koeneman, Francesco Palazzo, Nicole L. Dugan, Christopher Keating, Sami Tannouri

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Purpose: Ventral hernia (VH) management has progressed beyond simply physical repair of the defect. It now involves a strategy that purposefully restores abdominal core function and prevents future complications. This study investigates the association between ventral hernia repair (VHR) and functional disorders related to the abdominal core in addition to bowel obstruction, opioid misuse, and physical therapy utilization.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative codes from the TriNetX database. The outcomes of interest were spine and pelvic floor dysfunction, constipation, incontinence, genital prolapse, bowel obstruction, opioid misuse, and physical therapy utilization.

Results: A total of 587 384 patients were …

Interface Geometry Governs Probe Insertion Mechanics And Electrode Deviation In Layered Brain-Mimicking Phantoms For Deep Brain Stimulation, Siyu Chen, Chengyuan Wu, Ethan Anders, Rungun Nathan, Olivia M. Bailey, Qifu Wang, Curtis L. Johnson, Qianhong Wu

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder often treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes to improve motor function. Accurate electrode placement is critical for treatment efficacy but can be influenced by tissue deformation, insertion forces, and the mechanical properties of brain tissue. In this study, we investigated the role of layer interface angle as a controlled biomechanical factor affecting insertion forces and electrode deviation. A two-layer agar gel phantom was constructed to produce a prescribed stiffness transition between a lower-stiffness and a higher-stiffness gel layer, and its small-amplitude dynamic shear-stiffness contrast was …

Studying Peripheral Neuropathy And Associated Neuropathic Pain In Hiv-1 Transgenic Rats: Evaluation Of The Therapeutic Effect Of Cannabidiol And Beta-Caryophyllene, Mohammed Alnoud, Jose Rios, Salique Hassan Shaham, Manish K. Tripathi, Khalid Benamar

School of Medicine Publications

Background/Objectives: Peripheral neuropathy affects up to 50% of people living with HIV (PLWH). Currently, no small translational rodent model accurately replicates the peripheral neuropathy observed in PLWH. The primary objectives of this study are to assess whether HIV transgenic (HIV-tg) rats develop peripheral neuropathy with pathological and pain-like behaviors similar to those observed in PLWH and to evaluate the analgesic effects of the non-psychoactive cannabis compounds cannabidiol (CBD) and β-caryophyllene (BCP) in HIV-related neuropathic pain. Methods: We used a comprehensive set of behavioral, pharmacological, molecular, biochemical, and proteomic approaches. Results: Tissue analyses showed that HIV-tg rats had significantly reduced intra-epidermal …

Uae Audiences' Reliance On Social Media As A Source Of Information On Complementary And Alternative Medicine: A Study Of Al Ain City Residents Based On Media System Dependency Theory, Abdul Rahman Al-Toum, Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Najoud Al-Mansouri, Ahmed Bin Ishaq, Amer Khaled Ahmad, Maram Manajrah

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

This study examined the extent to which UAE audiences rely on social media as a source of information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the resulting effects of this reliance. Grounded in Media System Dependency Theory, the study employed an audience survey using a questionnaire administered to a sample of (132) Emirati citizens in Al Ain. The findings revealed that the combined medium and high reliance reached (53%). Regarding the effects, cognitive effects recorded the highest arithmetic means, followed by affective and behavioral effects at comparable levels. Hypothesis testing showed no statistically significant differences in the degree of reliance …

Starting To Feel Like A Clinician: Graduate Student Experiences Of Communication Partner Training For People With Aphasia, Katie A. Strong, Esther S. Kim, Aura Kagan, Nina Simmons-Mackie

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Communication partner training (CPT) is among the most evidence-based interventions for supporting people with aphasia, yet many speech-language pathologists report not implementing it in practice, and graduate students frequently report low confidence communicating with people with aphasia prior to targeted training. This qualitative descriptive study examined graduate students' experiences learning CPT through a course-embedded, multi-modal experiential approach with structured reflection. Written reflections from 79 first-year graduate students across two university programs served as the data source. Reflections were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: Learning by Design, reflecting students' metacognitive awareness of the pedagogical elements most meaningful …

Integrating Public Health Into Communication Sciences And Disorders Curriculum, Whitney D. Perkins, Yalanda M. Barner, Jennifer Wiles, Brandi Newkirk-Turner

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is increasingly integrating public health into its practice and research. This is because less than 10% of speech-language pathology and audiology graduate programs are housed within Colleges or Schools of Public Health (PH), reducing the likelihood that students in CSD have the opportunity for coursework and co-curricular activities that integrate PH and CSD. In this paper, we discuss the holistic approach we used to integrate PH into a CSD program at a Historically Black University. The approach was guided by PH and CSD accreditation standards and involved a didactic course, CSD courses …

Building Interprofessional Competency-Based Education Into Graduate Program Clinical Experiences: A Childhood Apraxia Of Speech And Sensory Processing Disorder Case Study Analysis, Kate Nealon, Zahava L. Friedman

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Abstract

Supporting interprofessional competency-based education requires embedding educational opportunities within coursework and clinical experiences. This education prioritizes student engagement and learning from, with and about other professionals to support collaboration and communication amongst clinicians (CAIE, 2020). While the provision of interprofessional clinical opportunities is recommended, it is challenging to implement effectively in professional and pre-professional settings. Academic settings have the unique ability to provide interprofessional collaborative clinical experiences for students. This pilot study focuses on Speech Language Pathology (SLP) and Occupational Therapy (OT) clinical assessment experiences, specifically in the context of pediatric motor speech and sensory processing disorders. These disorders …

Analysis Of The Influence Of Anthropometric Dimensions Of Postural Ergonomics Using Multiple Linear Regression, Gashbeen Faisal Najmaddin, Edrees Muhammed Tahir Harki

Al-Bahir

Ergonomics is the study of designing and arranging a workspace or product to optimize the “fit” between people and their work, ensuring safety, comfort, and efficiency. The scientific literature indicates that ergonomic perspectives on the workplace are connected to the anthropometrics of societies. This study primarily aims to create a model that integrates multiple predictive variables to estimate the target variable. Multiple linear regression analysis is used to identify how different anthropometric dimensions predict postural ergonomics during prolonged sitting. Based on the regression models’ results, the predicted can be calculated using user anthropometry and existing chair dimensions. Furthermore, the primary …

A Reflection On Growing Up With Hyperacusis, Jemma-Tiffany Rosewater, Katherine Melton

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

I, the first author, explore here my personal experiences growing up with severe hyperacusis pain, a rare condition that significantly affected my childhood but also gave me a deeper understanding of how medical professionals interact with children. I discuss the many ways my condition was dismissed or misunderstood by doctors, and I examine the broader negative implications that this dismissal had on both my physical health and day-to-day life. This article also emphasizes the power and sway that the words of medical professionals hold compared to the voices of children. I reflect on how outdated yet common misconceptions about hyperacusis, …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Inpatients’ Experiences, Priorities, And Health-Related Quality Of Life During High- Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy, Cintamani H. Ellsworth, Rebecca S. Bartlett

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an oxygen delivery method with numerous benefits for severely ill patients. There is a paucity of research focused on the perspectives of patients receiving HFNC oxygen therapy. This study aimed to engage with patients to gain a clearer understanding of their experiences, priorities, and health-related quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study was completed with 10 adult inpatients who had received HFNC oxygen therapy during their hospital admission. Semi-structured interviews and the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health Scale were used to identify participant perceptions of their physical and …

Copper Nanoparticles And Their Future In Drug Delivery And Anticancer Therapy, Keykavous Parang, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Cassia Charles, Kimberly Tang, Trang Nguyen, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Ajoy Koomer

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have attracted growing attention in nanomedicine owing to their distinctive physicochemical, optical, and biological properties. Their large surface area, tunable size, ease of surface modification, and low cost make them attractive candidates for drug delivery, where they can both improve delivery efficiency and enable stimuli-responsive release. CuNPs also possess intrinsic antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and photothermal activities, further broadening their biomedical utility. In this review, we synthesize recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, surface functionalization, and biomedical application of CuNPs, comparing chemical, physical, and green synthetic routes and their effects on stability, biocompatibility, and therapeutic efficacy. We examine …

Joy To The Rehabilitation World: A Call To Incorporate Enjoyment Into Clinical Practice, Cristina Colón-Semenza, Raymond Jones, Winston Kennedy

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Although multiple academic disciplines recognize the motivational power of joy, rehabilitation professionals have, historically, underemphasized this construct in clinical practice. In addition, many clinicians report persistent challenges in motivating patients to adhere to prescribed exercise regimens. In response, there is growing advocacy for integrating affective-based interventions into practice. This overview aims to 1) raise awareness among rehabilitation professionals about the role of joy in physical rehabilitation, 2) illustrate how joy influences physical activity engagement and recovery outcomes, 3) outline evidence-based strategies for enhancing joy in clinical settings, and 4) introduce validated measures of joy suitable for use in practice. By …

Abstracts From The 2026 Health Care Systems Research Network (Hcsrn) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, Health Care Systems Research Network

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) comprises 18 learning health systems with integrated care delivery and embedded research units. The network’s annual conference serves as a forum for research teams from member institutions to disseminate project findings, explore scientific collaborations, and share insights about population-based research practices that can measurably improve health and health care for all. The theme of this year’s conference was “Scaling Learning Health Systems: Data-Driven Pathways to Better Outcomes.” Abstracts presented at HCSRN 2026 are published in this issue supplement of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the journal of record for HCSRN’s annual …

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Due To Post-Traumatic Osseous Tunnel Formation: A Rare Case And Surgical Management, Dev Y. Patel, Eshan Doshi, Fiona Zimmerman, Jamal Revolus, Michael Kimball, Michael Franco

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is classically a compressive neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve beneath the flexor retinaculum, presenting with plantar foot pain and paresthesias. Standard surgical management of TTS involves release of the flexor retinaculum to decompress the nerve. We report a rare and unusual case of TTS in which the posterior tibial nerve was encased within a post-traumatic osseous tunnel accompanied by dense fibrotic tissue, representing an atypical and previously undescribed etiology of nerve entrapment. In this case, surgical decompression required a modified approach involving meticulous dissection of the tibial nerve from its encasement by heterotopic ossification and …

Evaluating Medical Student Geriatric Competency Using A 5ms-Based Assessment Tool, Lauren R. Hersh Md, Amy Cunningham Phd, Mph, Xiya Wu Md

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

INTRODUCTION

Driven by an aging Baby Boomer generation, the United States is navigating a demographic transformation with far-reaching implications that include increased demand for chronic disease management and long-term care as well as increased stress on both healthcare costs and infrastructure. Generating a workforce competent in the delivery of care to older patients with complex, multimorbid conditions is fundamental to addressing this shift. Recognizing that the development of primary and specialty care physicians skilled in geriatric care begins in medical school, the American Geriatric Society developed minimum competencies grounded in the Geriatric 5Ms (Mind, Mobility, Medication, Multicomplexity, and …

Prostate Cancer Survival Among Young Males Within The United States, Maxine M. Findlay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prostate cancer incidence has increased among younger men in the United States, and treatment affects both patient survival and family well-being. This quantitative retrospective study examined survival among young men diagnosed with prostate cancer who received chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or prostatectomy, while accounting for socioeconomic factors of residence and ethnicity. Social cognitive theory was the framework. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine whether treatment method, socioeconomic factors of residence and ethnicity predicted survival among young men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Data was sourced from the National Cancer Database Participant User File 2004-2021 specific to prostate cancer. The study cohort …

The Implementation Of Sel-Based Interactive E-Modules To Enhance Mental Health Literacy, Muhammad Arif Budiman Sucipto, Mulyani Mulyani

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The mental health crisis among Generation Alpha students is concerning, marked by stagnating life purpose and digital academic pressure. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an interactive SEL-based E-Module in enhancing students' mental health literacy, offering an innovative solution responsive to the digital era. Employing a Classroom Action Research design integrated with ADDIE. Thirty-two tenth-grade students with low initial literacy scores (mean pre-test = 42.3) participated through purposive sampling. The two-cycle intervention utilized a digital module featuring Private Mode (encrypted emotional journal) and Emergency Button (direct link to counselors). Data were collected through literacy scales, observations, interviews, and …

An Introduction To The History Of Medicine In Medical Education, Mary E. Horton Mph, Ma, Phd

History of Medicine Seminar

No abstract provided.