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Symptom Intrusiveness, Chronic Conditions And Health-Related Quality Of Life: Development Of Conceptual And Measurement Models, Jill Marie Monfre

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: The number of patients in the United States living with chronic conditions is increasing as patients are surviving conditions that were previously fatal. This increase in survival has resulted in a shift in the disease burden in the United States from infectious to chronic diseases. Many patients with chronic conditions experience associated symptoms that impact their health-related quality of life more significantly than those without associated symptoms. To enable patients to achieve what they determine to be an acceptable state of wellbeing, health care providers must first be aware of the factors and the relationships among the factors that …

Violence Permeating Daily Life: A Qualitative Study Investigating Perspectives On Violence Among Women In Karachi, Pakistan, Tazeen S. Ali, Gunilla Krantz, Ingrid Mogren

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: This study explored how married women perceive situations which create family conflicts and lead to different forms of violence in urban Pakistan. In addition, it examines perceptions of consequences of violence, their adverse health effects, and how women resist violence within marital life.

Methods: Five focus group discussions were conducted with 28 women in Karachi. Purposive sampling, aiming for variety in age, employment status, education, and socioeconomic status, was employed. The focus group discussions were conducted in Urdu and translated into English. Manifest and latent content analysis were applied.

Results: One major theme emerged during the analysis, …

Exploration Of Weight Gain In Female Breast Cancer Survivors, Mary Kay Johnson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Breast cancer is no longer a guaranteed death sentence. Many women today can look forward to a long and healthy life after treatment for breast cancer. However, weight gain is an ongoing, distressing and common problem for women treated for breast cancer. The primary purpose of this study was to gain knowledge about the phenomena of weight gain in females treated for breast cancer. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a natural setting. Sample: Electronic medical records for 100 female breast cancer survivors who visited a private suburban medical oncology clinic for treatment and/or on-going follow-up for a breast …

The Health Impacts Of Nursing Shift Work, Amanda Maria Cason Shandor

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This descriptive pilot study was intended to evaluate negative outcomes of shift work stress in nursing. Objective analysis of waist-hip-circumference ratios (WHR) and subjective survey reports were utilized to assess whether differences existed in expressed stress, stress related health disorders, and stress associated behaviors among day shift, night shift, and rotating shift registered nurses (RNs). Statistical analysis of the WHRs indicates that no statistical difference exists in the results from this study across the three nursing shifts. Nonetheless, survey reports do suggest that variance exists between nursing shifts. For example, stress related health problems appear to be most prevalent with …

The Self-Described Experience Of Coping And Adaptation Associated With Workplace Stress Of Registered Nurses In The Acute Care Setting In Florida: An Ethnographic Study, Joyce Burr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about how nurses learn and use coping and adaptation skills in the workplace. Quantitative studies have identified the factors, nature, and outcomes of nursing stress. However, qualitative studies describing the human experience associated with workplace stress are lacking. The phenomenon of interest for this study using focused ethnographic method is the self-described experience of coping and adaptation associated with workplace stress of registered nurses working 12-hour shifts employed in acute care hospital facilities in east central and central Florida. Three aspects of the phenomena were examined: the self-described experiences of stress, the manner in which coping skills …

The Five P'S Of Type 1 Diabetes, Paula Elizabeth Esteva

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

In Search Of Resilience And Positive Health Outcomes In Low-Income Adolescents With Asthma, Darla Kim Dewolff

Dissertations

Asthma is a chronic lung disease of epidemic proportions affecting 24.6 million Americans, including 7.0 million children. In particular, 22% of high school students indicated a doctor or a nurse had told them that they had asthma, with 10.8% with current asthma. The disease disproportionately afflicts minority children from low-income areas. Adolescents with asthma, who live in such areas, are at particular risk for increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which the phenomenon of resilience, observed in other physical health and psycho-social contexts, may be found in adolescents with asthma exposed …

Coping Mechanisms Among Lebanese First-Time College Students, Rita Doumit

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Adult Children's Perceptions Of Critical Caregiving Conversations With Their Aging Parents: A Pilot Study, Wendy S. Cregg

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to describe adult children's perceptions of critical caregiving conversations between themselves and their aging parents; barriers to these conversations; factors that facilitate these conversations; and the support from health care providers that adult children believe would help facilitate critical caregiving conversations between themselves and their aging parents. The overall purpose was to increase understanding of family communication processes that promote health as families age. Focus group interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted with 16 adult children with caregiving experience of their aging parents. Data analysis was conducted utilizing Leininger's phases …

Exploratory Analysis Of The Relationship Between Present-On-Admission Factors Of Adult Inpatients And Risk For Needing A Rapid Response Team Intervention During Hospitalization, John Dixon

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Knowledge of how intrinsic present-on-admission patient factors such as age, gender, and pre-existing comorbid conditions contribute to patient risk during hospitalization is an important aspect for clinicians to consider when developing individualized plans of care based on patient needs. Health care providers could use such knowledge to screen and identify higher risk patients upon admission to the hospital. For those patients, the health care team could provide greater surveillance and vigilance in observation and monitoring. Such proactive interventions may reduce or avoid the occurrence of patient deterioration or need for a Rapid Response Team (RRT) intervention during hospitalization and thus, …

The Meaning Of Homelessness To Homeless Women Veterans, Robin E. Keene

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Homelessness in America continues to be a pervasive problem, with veterans being disproportionately represented in this population. As the Iraq/Afghanistan war soldiers return to civilian life, worries about this population and the risk of homelessness is growing. Female soldier's roles in the military have expanded throughout the years and now include many combat roles, thus exposing them to the risks associated with combat. Female soldiers are twice as likely to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) than their male counterparts and are three to four times more likely to become homeless. Female homeless veterans have typically been excluded from participation …

Extent Of Hiv Stigma Among Hiv Positive Healthcare Workers: A Mixed Methods Approach, Jackline Gloria Opollo

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Regardless of practice settings, healthcare workers (HCWs) in Sub-Saharan Africa are either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. This mixed methods study measured the extent of HIV/AIDS stigma and the relationship between stigma and sociodemographic variables in a sample of 76 HIV positive HCWs. Qualitative aspects (n=20) explored how HIV positive HCWs manage personal health, stigma experiences in the workplace, and the HCWs role in reducing stigma in the workplace. Overall, HIV positive HCWs in this study experienced low stigma levels (Mean= 7.88, SD 12.90). Subscale means ranged from 0.09 (SD 0.28) for workplace stigma to 0.39 (SD 0.62) for verbal …

Development Of A Communication Intervention To Assist Hospitalized Suddenly Speechless Patients, Carmen S. Rodriguez, Meredeth A. Rowe, Brent Koeppel, Loris A. Thomas, Michelle S. Troche, Glenna Paguio

Nursing Faculty Publications

Healthcare staff face significant challenges while caring for hospitalized patients experiencing sudden inability to verbalize their needs (sudden speechlessness). Familiar methods of communication such as non-verbal strategies are limited and often fail to assist suddenly speechless patients (SS) communicate their needs. Consequently, strategies tailored to the needs of hospitalized speechless patients are necessary, and must consider factors intrinsic to the patients and the complexities of the acute care environment. The feasibility and usability of a multi-functional prototype communication system (speech-generating device) tailored to the needs of hospitalized SS patients was evaluated in this pilot study. Adult SS patients admitted to …

College Of Allied Health And Nursing R.N. To B.S.N., R.N. To M.S.N 2012 Entering Class, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Characteristics Of All-Terrain Vehicles And Their Operators On Kentucky Farms, Jessica L. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were first developed and marketed in the U.S. in the 1970s. They have soared in popularity for occupational and recreational uses since that time. In 2008, there were approximately 10.2 million all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in use in the United States. In 2001, it was estimated that 23 million Americans rode ATVs; 69% were adults and 31% children (CPSC, 2003). Deaths and injuries from ATVs have increased over time. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Kentucky led the nation for ATV deaths from 2002-2006, with increasing numbers of fatalities annually.

ATV use on farms is increasing …

Which Providers Can Bridge The Health Literacy Gap In Lifestyle Risk Factor Modification Education: A Systematic Review And Narrative Synthesis, S Dennis, A Williams, J Taggart, A Newall, E Denny-Wilson, N Zwar, T Shortus, M Harris

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: People with low health literacy may not have the capacity to self-manage their health and prevent the development of chronic disease through lifestyle risk factor modification. The aim of this narrative synthesis is to determine the effectiveness of primary healthcare providers in developing health literacy of patients to make SNAPW (smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity and weight) lifestyle changes.

Methods: Studies were identified by searching Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Joanna Briggs Institute, Psychinfo, Web of Science, Scopus, APAIS, Australian Medical Index, Community of Science and Google Scholar from 1 January 1985 to 30 April 2009. Health literacy and …

Identifying Patient's Reasons Or Rationales For Choosing To Skip Or Shorten Hemodialysis, Linda Marie Lindberg

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Missed dialysis treatment time has potential to increase morbidity and mortality and reduce life expectancy for people with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who are dependent on hemodialysis (HD) to live. The purpose of this study was to identify some of the reasons that hemodialysis patients provide when explaining their decision to skip or shorten their prescribed HD treatment time by providing ESRD patients with the opportunity to give voice to their perspectives. A secondary purpose of this project was to increase the health care provider's understanding of the HD patient's perspectives and reasons for choosing to skip or shorten …

Nurses' Knowledge Of Heart Failure Education Topics At A Regional Midwestern Hospital, Catherine Joy Standfuss

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to better understand Registered Nurses' knowledge level of commonly taught heart failure education topics. Heart failure is a large reason for hospital readmissions, and subsequently, a major contributor to rising health care costs. Research for this project was completed at a Regional Midwestern hospital using a questionnaire consisting of 20 knowledge questions. Registered nurses working on three separate units with high volumes of heart failure patients were invited to participate. Sixty-nine nurses responded to the survey and obtained an average score of 16.67 out of a possible 20, or 83%. Nurses work in …

Acute Clinical Conditions Of School-Aged Children In A Rural Kenyan Community, Nicolle A. Koester, Karen M. Parker, Vivian Cunningham, Christine R. Birnie

Pharmacy Faculty/Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Does Self-Efficacy Influence The Application Of Evidence-Based Practice?, Kathleen Abrahamson, Priscilla Arling, Jenna Gillette

Scholarship and Professional Work - Business

Background: Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is complex and consequently, even within organizations that have made efforts to promote EBP use, EBP is often underutilized by individual clinicians.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to better understand the relationship between self-efficacy and EBP implementation in clinical environments that have undergone efforts to increase EBP utilization. We suggest that EBP is a set of behaviors that result from individuals acquiring, applying, and sharing new knowledge with others in the organization. We hypothesize, based upon a social cognitive theoretical approach, that these behaviors are influenced by clinician perception of self-efficacy.

Methods: …

Ubiquitous Learning Laboratory For Pediatric Nursing: A Cultural Algorithm Approach, David Lee Colon

Wayne State University Theses

ABSTRACT

UBIQUITOUS LEARNING LABORATORY FOR PEDIATRIC NURSING: A CULTURAL ALGORITHM APPROACH

by

DAVID L. COLON

December 2012

Advisor: Dr. Robert G. Reynolds

Major: Computer Science

Degree: Master of Science

Quality Medical Care is at the focus of all health care service providers. Each facility maintains a standard level of care that promises not only a precise diagnosis, but also the correct course of treatment. In part, this is due to the educational training and professional experience of Nurses. For high-risk patients such as children, the level of expertise of a Pediatric Nurse is even more critical in order to guarantee …

Itch Occurring With Chronic Wounds, Julia Claire Paul

Wayne State University Dissertations

Abstract

The Effectiveness Of An Incentivized Program To Increase Daily Fruit And Vegetable Dietary Intake By Low Income, Middle-Aged Women, Rebecca White

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Little is known about the effectiveness of the SagePlus' Smart Choices Fruits and Vegetables Program's influence on behavior change and the effects of that behavior change on the cardiovascular health of the participants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the SagePlus Smart Choices Fruits and Vegetables Program at increasing the number of fruits and vegetables in participants' diets and decreasing their cardiovascular disease risk factors. A nonexperimental, descriptive correlational design was used in this study. The Minnesota Department of Health provided data from 327 SagePlus participants that had re-enrolled in the SagePlus Smart Choices Fruits …

Comparison Of 12-Hour Urine And Protein: Creatinine Ratio To 24-Hour Urine For The Diagnosis Of Preeclampsia (Poster), Christina Tun Md, Joanne Quiñones Md, Msce, Anita Kurt Phd, Rn, John C. Smulian Md, Mph, Meredith Rochon Md

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Sbar Checklist To Improve Patient Safety In The United States Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation, Karey M. Dufour

Nursing and Health Masters Publications

Inadequate or absent communication resulting in patient safety is an increasing problem in United States Air Force (USAF) aeromedical evacuation (AE). In 2010, 1,694 incident reports were filed. The lack of handoff communication was the second highest category affecting patient safety. Currently, there is no standardized patient handoff process in USAF AE. This evidence-based practice project is designed to answer the following question: In AF flight nurses transporting patients in the AE system, does the use of a standardized patient handoff checklist (using SBAR [situation-background-assessment-recommendation/request]), compared to current patient handoff practices, affect patient safety as measured by incident reports over …

Impact Of Cancer-Specific Advance Care Planning On Anxiety, Decisional Conflict, And Surrogate Understanding Of Patient Treatment Preferences, Lynn Waser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Patients with life-limiting cancer and their families face unique challenges that interfere with their ability to make decisions or adequately express their health care preferences about end of life (EOL) treatment. As a result, patients at EOL often receive aggressive unwanted treatment that nationally costs billions of dollars and results in surrogate distress about not honoring patient wishes. Respecting Choices® DS-ACP is a disease-specific Advance Care Planning (ACP) intervention that is designed to overcome barriers associated with ACP and potentially decrease the incidence of unwanted, overly aggressive treatments at EOL. The intervention is delivered to patient-surrogate dyads by a trained …

Re-Envisioning Nurse Faculty Mentoring: Developmental Network Connections That Count, Margaret Babb Kennedy

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Fears surrounding the nurse faculty shortage in the United States have prompted significant emphasis on supporting novice educators and those in transition to new roles within academia through mentoring. Yet a continued focus on traditionally held notions of a hierarchical dyad limits possibilities for facilitating rich, diverse, mentoring relationships. A novel theoretical framework incorporating social network perspective is used to conceptualize the dynamic, multilevel reality of mentoring in examination of nurse faculty mentoring. This dissertation presents the results of an integrative review and qualitative study that explore evidence and experiences of nurse faculty mentoring using the unique developmental network lens, …

How Effectively Do Health Care Providers Adhere To Established Clinical Guidelines Concerning Breast And Cervical Screening As Outlined By The American Cancer Society And The American College Of Obstetrics And Gynecology?, Mary Werlinger

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Purpose: To investigate how effectively health care providers in a rural health clinic setting adhere to established clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) concerning breast and cervical screenings as outlined by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). 2 Methodology: A retrospective chart review of 226 randomly selected medical records of females aged 21 years to 69 years of age during the six month period from April 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011 was performed. Charts were reviewed using an investigator developed medical records review tool for date of last preventive screening, currency of screening, …

Symptom Assessment And Management In Patients With Heart Failure, Kyoung Suk Lee

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Patients with heart failure (HF) must monitor and recognize escalating symptoms to manage worsening HF in a timely manner. However, routine symptom monitoring is not commonly performed by this population.

Providing a symptom diary along with an education and counseling session may help HF patients promote symptom monitoring and interpretation. The accumulated information about changes in daily symptoms will allow patients to easily compare current symptom status to the past without depending on memory and can rapidly capture worsening HF. To date, few studies have tested the effect of a daily symptom diary.

The purpose of this dissertation was to …

Medically Ill Smokers And Planning To Quit, Audrey Darville

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and is the cause of nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the United States. The prevalence of smoking has had a leveling off effect after many years of significant decline. Certain subgroups of the population, such as those with low income and certain illnesses, continue to smoke at disproportionately high rates. Reasons for these disparities in smoking rates are complex. Developing a better understanding of the issues related to persistent smoking particularly for those with medical illness and limited access to cessation resources can help focus interventions to help these high …