Digital Commons Network^™

Health-Care Seeking Behaviors Of Puerto Ricans With Diabetes Mellitus Who Live In South Florida: An Exploratory Study, Laura Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Latinos are the fastest growing minority population in the United States (U.S.) and have the worst access to health care of any ethnic group. The chronic disease of diabetes is twice as common in adult Latinos as in non-Latino whites, and the risk of death related to diabetes is twofold. Reasons for this disparity have yet to be clearly identified. This study had two purposes: 1) to explore cultural beliefs regarding health-care seeking behaviors in Puerto Ricans with diabetes who live in South Florida; and 2) to examine Puerto Ricans' perceptions about their health-care providers. The cultural phenomena of interest …

Towards Addressing The Opportunities And Challenges Of Web 2.0 For Health And Informatics, P. J. Murray, M. Cabrer, Margaret M. Hansen Edd, Msn, Rn, C. Paton, P. L. Elkin, W. S. Erdley

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: To provide an overview of Web 2.0 and Health 2.0, and so facilitate a widespread discussion of the nature of these concepts and their possible application within the health domain, and implications for health and biomedical informatics and for IMIA. Methods: IMIA, the International Medical Informatics Association, has established a Web 2.0 Exploratory Taskforce to bring together interested individuals from within and outside IMIA to explore the nature and potential of Web 2.0 applications. The Taskforce aims to develop background materials and sample uses of Web 2.0 applications, so as to propose specific lines of action for the IMIA …

Navy Nurses' Experiences During Operation Unified Assistance Aboard The Usns Mercy: A Grounded Theory Study, Angelica L.C. Almonte Phd

Dissertations

On December 26, 2004, the most powerful earthquake in 40 years erupted under the Indian Ocean triggering a deadly tsunami that devastated 11 Asian and African countries and killed more than 280,000. The US Navy responded through Operation Unified Assistance (OUA). In a historic first on the hospital ship USNS MERCY, the U.S. Navy deployed one team with members from the Navy, the U.S Public Health Service, a non-government organization (NGO), and a civilian mariner crew to provide humanitarian aid. Despite these efforts, there is a dearth of scholarly research work published on nurses' experiences during the disaster. The purpose …

The Concept Of Population Health Within The Nursing Profession, Sharon Radzyminski

Nursing Faculty Publications

Population health is a concept that has been developed over several centuries by many disciplines. Over time various aspects of the concept have dominated as issues related to behaviors and beliefs surrounding health practices have emerged. This has created a cadre of terms that are often used interchageably but have different meanings among various disciplines. This paper will review the concept of population health within the discipline of nursing and discuss its relationship with public health, community health, and population-focused care.

Caring Minds, University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston School Of Nursing

Caring Minds

• Greetings from Dean Patricia Starck
• New DNP program explores new frontiers of nursing
• Profile Joanne V. Hickey, PhD, APRN, BC, ACNP, FAAN, FCCM
• With assistance from PARTNERS scholarship, Family Practice Nurse pursues her dream through new DNP program
• School of Nursing offers training in geriatrics for nurses
• PARTNERS organization endows first professorship
• University of Texas Health Services planning to expand number of clinics
• Caring Leaders
• The Engine of Innovation: School of Nursing researchers part of $36 million NIH grant to spur innovation
• Johnson and Johnson gala spotlights nurses Chad and Heath LePray
• UT School of Nursing and Memorial Hermann Hospital …

The Prevalence Of High Risk Sexually Transmitted Disease Behaviors Among Homosexual College Students, Teofanes Q. Natavio

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of An Education Intervention For The Staff On The Head Of The Bed Elevation In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Randall Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Elevating the head of bed (HOB) reduces risks for aspiration and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in the adult population. Educational interventions have resulted in improvements in achieving a target HOB elevation of 30° in adults. Limited research has addressed this intervention in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The aim of this study was to determine if an educational intervention for the PICU staff would result in improvement in the HOB elevation in the PICU. Four research questions were studied: 1) What is the common practice related to the elevation of the HOB in the PICU? 2) Is there a …

Practical Approaches To Treating Patients With Bipolar Disorder, Jane E. Neu, Susan M. Denisco

Nursing Faculty Publications

Many patients present to a primary care setting with symptoms of a mood disorder. These symptoms may be indicative of an anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder, but they may also represent bipolar disorder, which is more common than many practitioners think. Correctly diagnosing bipolar disorder can be complex, because patients tend to seek treatment when they are experiencing the symptoms of depression or anxiety rather than mania or hypomania. Comorbid disorders such as substance abuse and anxiety disorders may complicate the clinical presentation. Failing to correctly diagnose bipolar disorder can have serious consequences in terms of patients' morbidity and …

The Impact Of Quiet Time On The Sleep Quality Of Cardiothoracic Surgery Patients, Kristina L. Nelson

Graduate Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to observe patients' quality of sleep on a cardiothoracic step-down unit before and after institution of an "undisturbed quiet time" policy from eleven o'clock in the evening until five in the morning. It was hypothesized that these patients have improved sleep quality after institution of the Quiet Time protocol. The comparative group, quasi-experimental study utilized the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale and Factors Influencing Sleep Questionnaire to measure sleep disturbance, effectiveness, and supplementation. Results demonstrated a decrease in sleep disturbance with initiation of the Quiet Time, but no significant change in sleep effectiveness and …

What Are They Saying: Voices From The Inner City? Lived Experience Of Inner City African American Adolescents With Asthma, Othello Childress Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experience of African-American adolescents with asthma who reside in an inner city community. The research in this area of interest is sparse, yet the morbidity and mortality rates related to asthma within the African-American population are greater than the general population. This study offers the experience of living with asthma from the perspective of the young African-American adolescent. Using phenomenological methodology, the nurse researcher selected 13 African-American adolescents; aged 12 to 15, who reside and attend middle school in the inner city. All of the participants had a confirmed medical …

Effect Of Health Disparities On African American Clients, Sonia L. Mcclinton

MSN Research Projects

The concept of health disparities have moved to the forefront of the nation’s healthcare agenda in the 2T* century due to the overwhelming disproportionate numbers of health care problems noted in African American populations as opposed to their counter parts. Despite the advances that have been made in biotechnology, improvement in medical procedures, and the eradication o f certain infectious diseases, African Americans continue to have poorer health status than other Americans. The literature extensively described several contributing factors for disparities in health such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and geographical location. Many of the differences in health occur because …

The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner In Health Promotion During Pregnancy, Sarah Elizabeth Hendrix

MSN Research Projects

Health promotion is fundamental to nurse practitioner practice. To be effective in health promotion, the nurse practitioner must have a clear understanding of the nature of behavioral change, the individual issues each client brings to a particular behavior, and have expertise in health promotion. The nurse practitioner must possess specific skills to facilitate the client’s movement along the continuum of health behavior change. Health promotion that enhances prenatal care has been described and established by evidence-based research and professional practice guidelines. The purpose of this evidence-based research project was to develop a current nurse practitioner knowledgebase regarding the role of …

Healthcare Encounters Of Formerly Incarcerated Women: A Grounded Theory Study, Karen Sue Hoyt Phd

Dissertations

The adult correctional population in the United States soared to nearly 7 million people (Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS], 2005). Over 2 million individuals were housed in prisons or jails in the United States. Nearly 7 percent (6.9%) were women (BJS, 2005). Recent trends in the adult correctional population suggest that there has been a stark increase in the number of formerly incarcerated women in the United States. The purpose of this research was to explore how formerly incarcerated women perceived their healthcare encounters. The aims of this study were to answer the following questions. How did formerly incarcerated women …

Enhancing Nurses' Autonomous Caring Practices In Ukrainian Villages Affected By Chornobyl, Lisa Prytula

Theses and Graduate Projects

Twenty years after the Chornobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, the people living in villages affected by Chornobyl in northern Ukraine suffer from poor health status. Compounding the biophysical effects of latent exposure to ionizing radiation, socio-economic instability and psychological stress increase their suffering, The nurses that serve these villages depend on inaccessible physicians to guide them and lack basic medical supplies. The purpose of this transcultural nursing practice project is two-fold: (1)to strengthen nursing caring practices used by village nurses to serve a socially, economically, and environmentally disadvantaged population in Ukrainian villages surrounding Chornobyl; and (2) to enhance village nurses' …

Commencement Program 2006, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

2 | 2006 Events of Commencement

3 | The Academic Procession

4 | Significance of Academic Regalia

5 | The Good Samaritan

6 | The Speakers

15 | The University Honorees

23 | The School Honorees

37 | The Program

• School of Medicine, 38
• School of Pharmacy, 47
• School of Dentistry, 52
• School of Science and Technology and Faculty of Religion, 63
• School of Nursing, 74
• School of Allied Health Professions - Physical Therapy, 80
• School of Allied Health Professions, 86
• School of Public Health, 95

Health Professions Division Catalog 2006-2007, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Cancer Awareness Campaign: Experience With A Selected Population In Karachi, Tazeen S. Ali, Sanah Baig

School of Nursing & Midwifery

The incidence and prevalence of cancer is rapidly increasing in both developed and developing countries. The most common cancers reported in Pakistan are breast and cervical cancers in females, and lung and oral cancers in males. Public awareness of cancer can play a vital role in its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. A pilot survey conducted by the Cancer Support Group (CSG) of Aga Khan University Hospital from 2001 till 2004 to gauge the public awareness of cancer in Pakistan revealed that people were afraid of cancer and had little knowledge about its prevention and early detection. The survey also …

Self Reported Pain Diary For Assessment Of Chronic Pain In The Communicative, Cognitively Intact Nursing Home Resident, Kathy K. Hager

DNP Projects

This paper describes a clinical project using a self-reported pain diary for the assessment of chronic pain in the communicative, cognitively-intact nursing home resident. There are estimates of chronic pain among nursing home residents that range from 4 – 83%. The goal of this clinical project was to evaluate a chronic pain diary in relation to its effectiveness and efficiency in accurately assessing pain among nursing home residents. Assessment has been identified as a major barrier in the control of chronic pain, and the self-report is accepted as the most reliable measure of a person’s pain. The self-reported pain diary’s …

Primary Care Nurse Attitudes, Beliefs And Confidence Levels Regarding Alcohol Abuse And Its Treatment: Impact Of Educational Intervention., Raja Sekhar Vadlamudi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol abuse has been a major burden on the society. In the fight against it a key issue the education of the primary care nurses has been ignored. This study evaluates the effect of education program on the attitudes, beliefs, and confidence levels of primary care nurses regarding alcohol abuse and its treatment. Data from the Project Mainstream educational intervention were used with permission from the investigators. Two hundred one students and faculty of nursing at Vanderbilt University participated in the intervention, which was designed to train primary care providers in the Brief Negotiated Intervention technique for early detection and …

Impact Of An Adherence Program On The Health And Outlook Of Hiv-Infected Patients Failing Antiretroviral Therapy, Michael F. Parry, Pamela Wright, Julie G. Stewart, Gavin Mcleod, James Tucker, Amy R. Weinberg

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: We prospectively studied the impact of an adherence counselor on the outcome of patients failing antiretroviral therapy because of nonadherence. Methods: Forty-six patients, identified as chronically nonadherent were enrolled. Individual attention was provided using the information, motivation and behavioral methodology. HIV RNA (viral load, in copies/mL), CD4 count (in cells/[mm.sup.3]), and body weight before and after the adherence counselor were measured. Qualitative outcome and patient satisfaction were assessed by deidentified third-party interviews. Results: Over half completed at least 1 year; only 8 patients were lost to follow-up. Mean CD4 counts increased significantly (P < .05) for completers at 6 and 12 months. Viral loads decreased between baseline and 6 months. Most clients reported subjective benefit from working with the adherence counselor. Conclusion: Although few clients showed complete virologic suppression, the value of an adherence counselor was validated. Longer term adherence programs should be evaluated.

The Flame, Summer 2005, Mennonite College Of Nursing

The Flame (1985-present)

The Flame is a newsletter of Illinois State University's Mennonite College of Nursing

Perceived Social Support Among Chinese American Hemodialysis Patients, Kaklam Wong

Master's Projects

Social support is linked to improved health outcomes both in Western and Asian societies and is a vital factor in a patient's adjustment to end-stage renal disease and its treatment regimen. This study explored perceived social support among 46 Chinese American hemodialysis patients in San Francisco's Chinatown using the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire plus open-ended questions. Findings unexpectedly revealed low levels of perceived social support and lack of tangible support especially in elder patients. We can no longer assume that traditional family cultural values are providing adequate social support for this population.

Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance During A Major Construction Project, Sherry Sexton

Graduate Research Projects

The purposes ofthis study were: a) to detennine if organism migration occurred from a construction area into other areas of the hospital-especially adjacent operating suites, b) to monitor and evaluate the incidence of construction-related surgical site infections, and c) to monitor the incidence of employee illnesses that could be construction-related. This was a descriptive correlational study and provided epidemiological data to evaluate the effectiveness of infection control measures in preventing employee or patient infections related to construction. The framework for this study was Florence Nightingale's Environmental Adaptation theory which focused on the environment and changes which could affect patient outcomes. …

Understanding Palliative Care: An Ethnographic Study Of Three Australian Palliative Care Services, Judith M. Greaves

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Palliative care commenced in Australia in the early 1980s. Although the value of palliative care has become more widely recognised by the public and other health care professionals, there is still a lack of understanding about what palliative care is and the depth and scope of this specialty area of health care. The research that I present in this thesis is based on examination of palliative care practice in a selection of Australian services, undertaken with the aim of enhancing understanding of Palliative Care. The significance of the research arises from the notion that members of the Australian community should …

Revisiting Vaccine Hesitancy, Barriers And Motivators To Obtaining A Flu Vaccine In A New Covid-19 Pandemic World, Ann M. Mayo Rn, Dnsc, Faan, Steffanie R. Cobler Np

School of Nursing and Health Science: Faculty Scholarship

Purpose

To describe and compare patient perceived barriers and motivators and decision-making conflict between two groups of hospitalized patients, those who receive flu vaccines and those who do not.

Data Sources

Data collection during 2003 included extracting data from databases and mailing two surveys to 436 discharged patients. One hundred eight (108) patients participated in the study.

Conclusions

Top barriers included fear of side effects from vaccine (35%) and fear of contracting the flu (30%). Top motivators for obtaining a flu vaccine included previous vaccination (93%) and provider recommendation (62%). Barriers, motivators and patient decisional conflict differed depending upon patient …

Collaborative Management Of Hiv Infection In The Community: An Effort To Improve The Quality Of Hiv Care, Michael F. Parry, Julie G. Stewart, P. Wright, Gavin X. Mcleod

Nursing Faculty Publications

Our hospital led a multidisciplinary community team to improve the quality of care delivered to HIV-infected clients utilizing a disease management approach in a US metropolitan community of 150,000 people. Community needs assessment and client and community surveys were used to define the problems. Patient care flowcharting and the creation of an electronic patient database facilitated patient tracking across the entire community. Clinical guidelines and a consultation and referral immunology clinic standardized care practices. Measurable improvements in the quality of care were noted in multiple areas. Flowchart completion rates rose from 44% to 100%; medication adherence assessment rose from 82% …

Introduction Of Healing Touch Into An Established Torture Treatment Center: A Graduate Field Project, Kathleen Mccullough-Zander

Theses and Graduate Projects

Healing Touch, an energetic treatment modality developed by nurses, was introduced into an established torture treatment center with the goal of decreasing torture-related symptoms and increasing survivors' overall sense of well-being and health. Three methods of evaluation were used to determine if the project goal had been met. The first project objective of showing a decrease in participants' reported feelings of anxiety and depression was not achieved. The second project objective of demonstrating a reduction in participant's reported levels of pain was achieved with statistically significant results. The third project objective of obtaining statements of recognition of the therapy as …

Pain Expression: Lnsights From A Focus Group With Somali Women, Sheryl M. Ness

Theses and Graduate Projects

ln recent years, the number of Somali persons being treated in health care settings in the community of Rochester is increasing. The understanding of the concept of pain within this population is important to consider for nursing practice in this region and across the U.S. A focus group was used to explore the expression of pain with 4 Somali women in Rochester Minnesota. This paper summarizes major themes and concepts from the focus group. lmplications for improving transcultural nursing care, including pain assessment, management and patient education are considered when looking at the results of the research. A vision of …

The Relationship Of Job Satisfaction And Selected Demographic Characteristics Of Public Health Employees, Nettie Gerstle

Graduate Research Projects

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine the level of job satisfaction of public health department nurses (PHNs) and employees, and (b) to identify relationships between job satisfaction and demographic characteristics. A descriptive correlational / design was used. A sample of 181 was taken from a metropolitan public health department population. Job Descriptive Index and Job in General instruments were used. Employees were satisfied with the overall job, supervision with work, not satisfied with promotional opportunities, and neutral regarding pay and co-workers. PHNs were satisfied with the overall job, supervision, work and pay, not satisfied with promotional opportunities …

Keeping Safe: Field Public Health Nurses' Perceptions, Karen Nielsen-Menicucci Phd, Ms, Rn, Phn

Dissertations

By the year 2005, there will be an estimated 1.25 million workers involved in providing nursing care to individuals in their homes (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1997). There is limited empirical data available on the issue of safety of nurses within the context of home visiting or in the public health venue. Recent research on safety in home visiting has focused on home health rather than public health nursing. The purpose of this study was to explore and explain the perception of safety among field public health nurses. A purposive sample of 19 public health nurses employed in an official …