Digital Commons Network^™

A Work Readiness Scale For Allied Health Graduates, Vidya Lawton, Emre Ilhan, Verity Pacey, Taryn M. Jones, Arlene Walker, Catherine M. Dean

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The transition for allied health graduates from university to the workforce has been perceived to be difficult and overwhelming, leading to early attrition within healthcare professions. Work readiness is a crucial aspect of successful transition to the workforce, however, the elements of work readiness are not clearly defined. The purpose of this project was to refine the measurement of work-readiness in allied health graduates. Method: A 62-item Work Readiness Scale for Allied Health Professionals (WRS-AH), based on a work readiness scale for a generic population of graduates, was validated and refined using an exploratory factor analysis. Results …

The Object Play Of Young Children On The Autism Spectrum: A Narrative Review Of Strengths-Based Literature, Sharon Eva

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The play in young children with autism has been historically seen as deficits-based, with a focus on the limitations of autistic object play. More recently, there has been a shift towards a strengths-based view of autistic object play, where their play preferences and skills are viewed as vehicles for meaningful engagement and as having potential for learning. The aims of this narrative review are two-fold: to identify themes in the existing literature regarding the object play of young children with autism; and, to summarize the existing literature specifically examining object play in young autistic children from a strengths-based point …

Remote Teleassessment And Telerehabilitation Of A Comprehensive Exercise Training Protocol For Older Adults: Design And Methodology Of A Usability Protocol, Savitha Subramaniam, Spyros Kitsiou, Tanvi Bhatt

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The design, usability, safety, and feasibility of a telehealth protocol comprising teleassessment and tele rehabilitation to evaluate and improve physical and cognitive function among older adults was assessed. Methods: Healthy older adults (n=23) participated in a pre-post tele-assessment of a 4-week (3 sessions/week) telerehabilitation session. Tele-assessment was performed to evaluate balance, gait function, and cognition. Tele-rehabilitation sessions comprised of balance games, dancing, dual-tasking, yoga, and tai-chi exercises. Results: There were no adverse events reported to indicate concerns with the safety of the current telehealth protocol. Conclusion: The proposed telehealth protocol to assess and improve physical and cognitive function …

A Model For Teaching Financial Literacy In A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program Using The Five Stages Of Career Development, Madeline Ratoza, Rupal Patel, Fabian Bizama, F Scott Feil

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The cost of higher education programs across allied health disciplines have increased substantially in recent years while salaries have remained relatively stagnant. The result of which is an increase in debt burden for graduates of allied health professional programs. One possible intervention to improve the experience of graduates is to improve financial literacy; however, research on the effectiveness of financial literacy education in higher education is scant. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the effectiveness of a financial literacy and career planning seminar in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Specifically, this study aimed to …

Stressed Fracture: The Relationship Between Coping Strategies And Workload In Secondary School Athletic Trainers, Andrew Gallucci, Katherine M. Lee, Leslie W. Oglesby, Anna Porter, Leslee Funderburk, Jeff S. Forsse

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The work environment for an athletic trainer (AT) working in a secondary school is typified by heavy workloads and job-related stress. Occupational stress can have negative effects on productivity, absenteeism, employee turnover, and quality of life. Research suggests that personal and situational factors can influence the coping process adopted by an individual. The approach-avoidance framework suggests that people cope with a stressor by either attempting to reduce it or removing oneself from that stressor. Previous research on other healthcare professionals suggested that use of avoidance coping was correlated with higher levels of job stress and those who perceived greater …

How Traits Of Emotional Intelligence Affect Perceived Stress In Entry-Level Doctor Of Occupational Therapy Students, Heidi A. Carpenter, Chelsey Edwards, Scott Richardson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Students in an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs are subject to high levels of stress and emotional burnout. Effective management of stress impacts life satisfaction and academic performance. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been shown to relate to lower stress levels in allied health students. Despite this, little has been done to investigate the emotional demands of an occupational therapy education. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample of 51 entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Students recruited from the Southwest and Midwest cohorts of an OTD program. The participants were surveyed approximately 30 days after beginning their semester curriculum. …

The Effectiveness Of Student-Driven Pro Bono Physical Therapy Services On Self-Reported Outcomes Of Community-Dwelling Adults With Musculoskeletal Conditions, Elise Harris, Tamara Hefferon, Peyton Oules, Katherine Sarnacki, Benjamin Galaviz, Jake Robert Gaston

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Student-driven pro bono clinics provide a profound clinical education experience for health professional students while serving members of the community. Currently, there is little research on how the pro-bono clinic impacts the community members involved. The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes following discharge from a pro bono clinic held through an entry-level physical therapy program. Methods: Forty-one volunteer community members, 19 males (M) (46.3%) and 22 females (F) (53.6%), participated in this study. Ages ranged from 20-90 years, with a mean age of 41(17) years. Each community member completed the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFS), …

Working Hours, Sleep, And Burnout Among Athletic Trainers Employed In College Athletics: A Cross-Sectional Study, Stephanie M. Singe, Catherine G. Mydosh, Alexandrya Cairns, Christianne M. Eason

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Burnout continues to be an important concern for athletic trainers working in the collegiate sport setting. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between working hours, sleep, and burnout among athletic trainers providing patient care in the collegiate setting. Methods: A web-based (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) cross-sectional study using a self-reported questionnaire was used to collect demographics and data on working hours, sleep, and burnout. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) was used to determine burnout. Results: The mean age of our participants (n=1006) was 33 ∓ 9 years; 37.6% (n=378) were male, 61.5% (619), and 1.1% …

A Model For Professionalism Evaluation: Using The Rise Assessment Tool Across Dpt Didactic And Integrated Clinical Education, Rebecca Edgeworth Ditwiler, Laura Lee Swisher, Barbara Reddien Wagner, Stephanie Ann Anderson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: There are limited options for professionalism evaluation during short term clinical experiences in physical therapy education. The purpose of this report is to describe the development of a new assessment tool (RISE) [Respect for Others, Integrity & Compliance, Self-Awareness & Commitment to Development, and Engagement & Work Ethic] as part of a longitudinal professional development model in the DPT didactic curriculum (RISE-SA) and integrated clinical education (RISE-CI). Primary goals of the RISE were to clearly define evaluation criteria, offer quick formative feedback, promote communication between clinical and academic faculty, and create objective professionalism …

Hearing Loss As A Risk Factor For Cognitive Decline In The Elderly: A Rapid Review, Natalie Large, Nannette Nicholson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The aim of this rapid review was to identify and evaluate evidence exploring hearing loss as a risk factor for cognitive decline in the elderly population. Methods: A literature search was performed in three databases: CINAHL, Cochrane Central, and PubMed. The PRISMA template was used to record the search and selection process. Search criteria included older adults aged 65 and up with diagnosed or self-reported hearing loss and no previous diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were excluded if they had been diagnosed with dementia or tested for it before the study began. Hearing loss was categorized using …

Effects Of A Dynamic Arm Stabilizer On Varus Elbow Torque, Arm Speed, And Velocity In Collegiate Baseball Players: A Pilot Study, Andrew Cage, Laurel Trail, Lynzi Warner, Brandon J. Warner

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect a dynamic arm stabilizer had on varus elbow torque, arm speed, and throw velocity during baseball throwing. Methods: 8 collegiate baseball players (age= 20 ± 1 years, height= 183.5 ± 6.5 cm, weight= 85.6 ± 7.7 kg) participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to throw their first set of 25 throws at 90 feet wearing a dynamic arm stabilizer or throw their second set of 25 throws at 90 feet not wearing a dynamic arm stabilizer. After completing the first set of throws, the participants threw a …

Title: Assessment Of Student Perception Regarding Clinical Training In Undergraduate Dental Programs Using Clin Ed Iq., Sanaa Ahmed, Samira Adnan, Syed Mahmood Haider

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose. Clinical training is essential part of the dental curriculum. Both clinical environment and Teachers are essential factors which affect the acquired clinical skills. The objective was to assess the perceptions of dental students regarding their clinical training. Methods. This mixed method study using Clin Ed IQ questionnaire was conducted on Dental students graduating from both Private and Public sector institutes of Karachi. The questionnaire had four sections, the first three based on various aspect of clinical training, with responses based on 5-point Likert scale. Section four had open-ended items about dental curriculum. Results. For responses of 220 participants related …

Utilization Of The Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative As An Evaluation Framework For Student Participation In A Community-Engaged Project, Elise Boyle, Benjamin Feiten, Amy A. Abbott, Sadie Schultes, Shelby Hoffmann, Emily Knezevich, Vanessa D. Jewell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interprofessional education is a foundational component of many health professions educational programs as it contributes to the goals of the Quadruple Aim by prioritizing collaborative and streamlined quality healthcare. Furthermore, student engagement in interprofessional educational activities provides opportunities to better understand their own and others’ health profession disciplines. The purpose of this project was to utilize Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) to evaluate a framework for student engagement in a community-engaged project focused on reducing barriers to care in people living with type 1 diabetes in rural communities. Methods: As members of an interprofessional, type 1 diabetes, community-engaged research …

Progressive Glenohumeral Instability In An Adolescent Ice Hockey Athlete: A Case Report, Kelsey J. Robinson, Jennifer Austin

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

This case follows the injury presentation of a 16-year-old male, right-hand dominant, left-hand shot, Tier I ice hockey player who sustained an initial injury to the left shoulder from a body check during a game. What follows is a cascade of events involving 3 injuries and 2 surgeries, highlighting the complex and potentially compounding nature of instability. Glenohumeral (GH) instability among collision athletes is rare in the absence of contributing genetic conditions or a dislocation or subluxation event. Authors discuss the key concepts related to the diagnosis and management of GH instability, with a special emphasis on subtle injury indicators …

Perceptions Of Incivility Among Students And Faculty In Entry-Level Health Professional Programs, Kristen Barta, Germaine Ferreira, Manuel A. Domenech

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Online education is growing in popularity but has the potential to result in cyber incivility leading to disruptions in the learning environment. There is little known about the differences in attitudes between students and faculty in the online learning experience regarding cyber civility. The purpose of this study was to analytically measure student and faculty perceptions and attitudes of cyber incivility. Methods: A convenience sample of 180 (34 faculty and 146 students) participants from a health care university were recruited. A 27-item survey was given to record the perceptions of students and faculty on issues of cyber civility. An …

Student Athletic Therapists' Knowledge Of Pain-Relieving Medications: A Nationwide Study, Jackie Vandertuin, Dalya Abdulla, Stephanie Lowther, Joshua Collins

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Misuse of pain-relieving medications (PRMs), including opioids, is high among injured athletes. Athletes are increasingly relying on PRMs and as a result, it is likely that student athletic therapists (SATs) have managed athletes who have misused PRMs and may have potentially missed important symptoms placing athletes in harm. While dispensing PRMs is not within the scope of practice of the SAT, recognition and referral are. Previous research has found that SATs feel ill prepared to recognize PRM misuse and feel tremendous pressure to provide correct health information to the athlete. The purpose of this study was to expand on …

Appearance Teasing And Identity Formation Amongst Young Adults: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Sneha Yadav, Shagun Shagun, Koko Veerning Moyon, Divya Bhanot

The Qualitative Report

Appearance teasing (AT) is such a widespread phenomenon that to discount its meaning, impact, and severity on the lives of those who are teased would be a mistake. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of Indian youths who have been appearance-teased by their close friends and family, how they perceive it has impacted their senses of self and identity and to understand their coping strategies that help them manage the negative effects of AT. Data was collected via semi structured interviews with six young adults and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Analysis of the transcripts reveals five master …

Addressing Water Hyacinth (Pontederia Crassipes) Impacts On Aquatic Biota In Lake Okeechobee, Joseph Salerno

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The incursion of water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes in Lake Okeechobee has resulted in management systems to be implemented to reduce the coverage of the invasive macrophyte. Its residence in the Lake Okeechobee ecosystem and the effects it has on organisms in the lake, whether it be positive or harmful is unknown. This study attempted to assess the potential effects that water hyacinth has on aquatic biota in Lake Okeechobee. Biotic data were collected on open water, water hyacinth covered, and native vegetation covered habitats via hook-and-line fishing, electrofishing, baited minnow traps, and the sampling of plant roots over a thirteen-month …

Restoration Of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Susceptible Species In The Arrecife De Puerto Morelos National Park, Mexico Using Colony Microfragmentation, Marina Garmendia

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park (APMNP) has been a marine protected area in Mexico’s Mesoamerican Reef since 1998 and includes ~90 km² of coral reef. Significant declines in stony coral cover have been recorded within the APMNP, primarily due to increasing ocean temperatures and disease events which precipitated the need for active restoration activities. This study addressed if current APMNP conditions, in relation to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), are appropriate for the restoration of stony corals through outplanting SCTLD-susceptible species microfragments. In September 2022, three species (Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella annularis, and O. faveolata) …

Spawning Asynchrony Of The Endangered Acropora Cervicornis: Are Light Pollution And Abnormally Warm Temperatures The Culprits?, Krista Laforest

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The persistence of reefs relies on mature corals spawning synchronously to maximize fertilization and produce larvae to replenish local populations. Corals synchronize the release of gametes by responding to temperature, sun, and moon light cycles; however, abnormalities in these patterns can disrupt synchrony. This study is the first to describe regional asynchronous spawning of Acropora cervicornis by quantifying gamete development and spawning times among two reefs, an in situ nursery off Fort Lauderdale, and an in situ nursery in the Florida Keys. While A. cervicornis in the Florida Keys synchronously spawned within the predicted window of 2-5 days after the …

A Rapid Site Selection Assessment As An Indicator Of Stony Coral Microfragment Outplant Success, John J. Alfirevich

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Microfragmentation of massive stony coral species is a technique being utilized to propagate corals asexually to help restore coral reefs. Microfragmentation consists of cutting corals into 3 cm diameter or less fragments, which boosts growth rates. However, in some locations the size of microfragments make them vulnerable to parrotfish predation and benthic overgrowth, reducing survival. As such, a method to identify key site characteristics which promotes microfragment outplant success, particularly one that can be performed quickly across multiple areas is needed. A rapid site assessment conducted prior to microfragment outplanting was performed at 12 randomly selected sites within the Kristin …

College Student Mental Health In The Covid-19 Era: Results Of An Expressive Writing Prompt, Carissa Daniello-Heyda, Kevin Hynes, Rachel R. Tambling

The Qualitative Report

The novel SARS-CoV-2, or coronavirus, has greatly altered the landscape of college life for students across the United States. The ever-present health concerns and quarantine have been linked to increased anxiety, depression, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To this end, we examined the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial health of college students. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on levels of stress and distress in college students using a qualitative expressive writing methodology. Results of this study suggested that the college students included in the sample were moderately distressed – their scores on inventories of depression, anxiety, …

Prevalence, Faunal Composition, And Vertical Distribution Of Bioluminescence In The Pelagic Gulf Of Mexico: Fishes, Crustaceans, Cephalopods And Gelatinous Megaplankton, Devynne M. Brown

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Bioluminescence is the phenomenon of light emission by living organisms. It occurs through a chemical reaction within an organism and serves various purposes. The diversity of bioluminescent capabilities and occurrence in unrelated taxa suggest that bioluminescence has evolved independently numerous times amongst taxa thriving in certain environments. One such environment is the deep ocean, where little to no sunlight penetrates the water column, specifically in the mesopelagic (200-1000 m depth) and bathypelagic (> 1000 m) zones. The mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones have been extensively sampled and well documented in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), one of the few places globally …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Internal Transcribed Sequences (Its) As Dna Barcodes To Estimate Fungal Diversity, Jailisa Linares

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Universal phylogenetic markers such as the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed sequences (ITS), specifically ITS1 and ITS2, are routinely used to estimate fungal diversity in environmental samples. However, numerous studies report differences in the performance and efficacy of ITS1 and ITS2 in documenting fungal diversity. To better understand the implications of using ITS1 versus ITS2, a comprehensive representation of the diverse fungal taxa was necessary to conduct a meta-analysis of their use across multiple fungal taxa. In order to address this, a thorough literature review was conducted to compare and contrast the use of ITS1 and ITS2 as effective DNA barcodes. …

Doctoral Students Balancing The Roles And Relationships Of Counselor Education, Isabel C. Farrell, Casey A. Barrio Minton, Amanda C. Dediego

The Qualitative Report

Aspiring counselor educators in Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited programs must learn to be counselors, teachers, supervisors, researchers, and leaders. These roles can overlap, creating multiple complex relationships during their programs. To examine these roles, we conducted a constructivist grounded theory investigation of how counselor education doctoral students (n = 9) balanced multiple roles and relationships and boundary crossings. We utilized chain referral sampling and continued until we reached theoretical saturation. We used semi-structured interviews conducted via videoconferencing (Zoom) for data collection and coded the interviews using two main phases: an initial phase and …

Students’ Optimal Engagement In Efl Large Classes: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study In East Nusa Tenggara, Yohanis Nurak Siwa, Yazid Basthomi

The Qualitative Report

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in researching students’ engagement in English as foreign language (EFL) classes as students’ language learning achievement is shaped by their engagement in class. Yet, the study of students’ engagement in EFL large classes has received relatively little empirical attention. This qualitative phenomenological study aims at exploring how teachers perceive the factors boosting students’ optimal engagement and what strategies they use to boost students’ optimal engagement in EFL large classes. Ten university teachers with adequate experience of teaching EFL large classes in East Nusa Tenggara-Indonesia participated in this study. Semi structured interviews …

Experiencing Transformative Learning During Participatory Needs Assessment Of A Public School: Journeys And Arrivals To Relational Ontology(Ies), Shree Krishna Wagle Dr., Parbati Dhungana Dr., Bal Chandra Luitel Prof., Erling Krogh Prof., Niroj Dahal

The Qualitative Report

This paper discusses experiences from school-based needs assessment within a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project aimed at facilitating quality education in public schools of rural Nepal. Being often a first stage in the process of research-action, Participatory Needs Assessment (PNA) offers space for community members’ perceptions and attitudes toward their collective needs. In this light, this paper takes evidence from the first and the second authors’ Ph.D. experiences, under the supervision of the third and the fourth authors to initiate PNA of a school. Also, incorporating the reflections from the fifth author as a critical friend, it observes the political, …

Poetic Representations Of Covid-19 Narratives: An Exploration Of Emotional Experiences During The Pandemic, Isha Harshe, Lindy Davidson

The Qualitative Report

In pivotal moments of history like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to attend to and preserve the stories of different people experiencing the same phenomenon in their own ways. This project analyzed the public’s emotional experiences during the pandemic using methods of narrative and poetic inquiry. After reading 105 entries from the Pandemic Journaling Project, an online platform where people anonymously published journal entries reflecting on their pandemic experiences, narratives were categorized based on ten prominent emotional themes: anger, anxiety, fatigue, fear, loneliness, longing, loss, loss of control, stress, and uncertainty. Found poems were constructed for each emotion …

Guidelines For The Integration Of Large Language Models In Developing And Refining Interview Protocols, Jessica L. Parker Edd, Veronica M. Richard, Kimberly Becker

The Qualitative Report

Rapid advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models (LLMs), offer unprecedented opportunities and challenges for qualitative researchers. This paper presents comprehensive guidelines for the ethical and effective use of LLMs in the development and refinement of interview protocols. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this paper explores potential pitfalls, ethical considerations, and best practices to ensure the responsible integration of LLMs in the research process. The guidelines proposed serve not only as a methodological roadmap for researchers but also as a catalyst for dialogue on the ethical dimensions of LLMs in qualitative research. Furthermore, the authors describe and share …

"Well You Know...": Parents' Perceptions Of Morality In Aaa Youth Ice Hockey, Zachary Mccarver, Danielle Wong Vickland, Megan B. Stellino

The Qualitative Report

Parents’ involvement patterns serve as a catalyst to their children’s moral development (Bandura, 1991). Yet, sport culture may convolute parents’ authentic ability to socialize their children’s moral development within a compliant structure focused on performance excellence (Hughes & Coakley, 1991). The purpose of the current study was to examine how parents conceptualize morality while entrenched in a conformity-driven elite youth ice hockey environment. The following research question was explored: how do parents ascribe meaning to, and learn the behavioral representations of, moral and immoral behaviors in youth ice hockey? Parents’ (N = 8, M_age = 53.13) perspectives of …