Digital Commons Network^™

State-Level Implementation Of Health And Safety Policies In Mississippi Secondary Schools, Heather L. Shirley, Valerie J. Moody

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: State-level investigations of health and safety policy implementation in secondary school athletics highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring student-athlete safety that aligns with evidence-based best practices. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine current state-level implementation of health and safety policies in Mississippi secondary schools from the perspective of athletics/activities directors, athletic trainers, and other school administrators. Methods: In May 2025, a 26-item web-based questionnaire was distributed to 226 athletic directors and 114 athletic trainers across Mississippi secondary schools. The survey assessed participant demographics, access to healthcare resources, emergency action planning (EAP), required coaches’ health and safety training, …

Females With Urinary Incontinence Demonstrate Impaired Postural Stability, Jean L. Mccrory, Corrie Mancinelli, Kate Harrison, Samantha K. Rondini Monaco, Krystal L. Thomas

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Females with urinary incontinence (UI) have an increased risk of falls.  Few studies have quantified postural control, namely center of pressure (COP) movement and vertical ground reaction force in static and dynamic tasks, in females with UI. Purpose: The aim of our study was to examine static and perturbed postural stability in females with UI compared to unaffected females. Methods: The study design was a between-group comparison (UI vs control) on our static outcome variables of anteroposterior and mediolateral COP sway, COP displacement, average and instantaneous maximum COP velocity, and standard deviations of anteroposterior and mediolateral COP movement and …

Predictors Of Clinical Performance On The Revised Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument 3.0, Derrick F. Campbell, Nancy G. Hellman, Felicity Macahilig-Rice, Sean E. Witkin, Mansoor Alameri

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the 12 performance criteria from the revised American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument 3.0 (PT CPI 3.0) on predicting Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student clinical performance outcomes during clinical education experiences. The PT CPI 3.0 was revised in 2023 to measure DPT student clinical performance. Identifying predictors for clinical performance may help flag students who struggle to meet or fall below performance expectations.

Method: A convenience sample of 693 DPT students from a large U.S. multi-campus program during Fall 2023 clinical education experiences participated. Using an …

A Survey Of Medical Coverage In The Marching Arts, Stephanie Maszera, Luis Torres, Fredrick A. Gardin

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: This research aimed to identify how the marching arts’ access to medical coverage affects an individual’s success in the activity. Medical coverage in the marching arts varies greatly between the levels that exist within the activity. Marching bands’ physical demands rival traditional sports, with a longer season and fewer resources. Despite the lack of coverage, the incidence of injury remains a challenge for competing groups. METHODS: A survey was conducted to ask individuals about their experiences with their band’s medical staff and any injuries or conditions they may have dealt with. Participants were at least 18 years old and …

Examining The Influence Of Cognitive Load And Self-Efficacy On The Development Of Clinical Reasoning In The First Clinical Education Experience Of First Year Physical Therapy Students, Andrew S. Bartlett, Brittney Gunterstockman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical reasoning is critical for effective decision-making and patient outcomes in physical therapy. Although self-efficacy, cognitive load, and clinical reasoning have been studied individually, limited research has examined these constructs holistically. This study explored the influence of cognitive load and self-efficacy on the development of clinical reasoning during the first clinical education experience of first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students using a think-aloud protocol. Methods: All participants completed measures of self-efficacy (New General Self-Efficacy [NGSE], Physical Therapist Self-Efficacy [PTSE]) and cognitive load (intrinsic, extraneous, germane) before and after their first clinical education experience. Think-aloud protocols were conducted at …

Development And Initial Validation Of The Observation-Mimicking-Participation-Independent (Ompi) Workplace-Based Assessment Model For Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Keiko Takeuchi, Hirotaka Onishi

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Workplace-based assessment (WBA) is essential for evaluating clinical competence in occupational therapy and allied health education; however, many existing assessment approaches lack an explicit developmental structure aligned with progressive learning during fieldwork. Competency-based education frameworks emphasize staged skill acquisition, yet operationalized developmental assessment models remain limited. To address this gap, this project aimed to develop the Observation–Mimicking–Participation–Independent (OMPI) model as a theoretically grounded developmental WBA framework and to conduct an initial evaluation of its reliability and educational utility in occupational therapy fieldwork education. Methods: The OMPI model was constructed to reflect staged progression in clinical learning, moving from structured …

Comparative Analysis Of Knowledge, Usage, Perceptions, And Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Chatbots Among Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students And Faculty Over Two Years, Qing Zhang, Heather David, Brandy Schwarz, Kristen Johnson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: AI chatbots (AIC) are increasingly integrated into healthcare education, yet research on DPT faculty and student perceptions remains limited. This study compared knowledge, usage, perceptions, and attitudes (KUPA) toward AIC between DPT faculty and students and examined how these changed from 2023 to 2024. Method: A repeated cross-sectional survey was administered to two consecutive first-year DPT student cohorts and core and associate faculty at one DPT program. A 20-item survey was used, incorporating items adapted from validated instruments and researcher-developed questions, using a five-point Likert scale. Results: Participation rates were 41.5% (n=62) in Year 1 and 39.1% (n=69) in …

Compression Therapy In A Patient With Lymphedema Bilateral Lower Extremities And Heart Failure: A Case Report, René Thomas

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Patients with heart failure may develop secondary lower extremity lymphedema, yet evidence to guide compression therapy in this population is limited. This case highlights clinical decision-making in applying compression within a medically complex scenario.

Case Presentation: A 75-year-old female with chronic heart failure and multiple comorbidities presented with severe bilateral lower extremity lymphedema and reduced mobility. Interventions included compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, breathing exercises, and skin care education, delivered by a physical therapist with advanced cardiopulmonary and lymphedema training. Edema reduction was achieved; however, therapy was discontinued due to signs of cardiac decompensation requiring medical management.

Conclusion:This …

Beyond Walking: Exploring Functional Use Of Exoskeletons In The Home Environment, Sue D. Dahl-Popolizio, Adam M. Story, Thomas Hartman, Lacee Andrews, Jennifer Radziak, Angela Zhu, Joelly Lobato De Faria Otd, Ms, Otr/L

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This pilot study was completed to determine whether individuals with paraplegia can perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in their homes using a personal exoskeleton. The physiological effects of using an exoskeleton for these tasks were investigated as well. Methods: In this mixed-methods observational study, participants with paraplegia were observed using an exoskeleton to complete ADLs and IADLs in their homes. Performance and satisfaction with performance were measured before and after home exoskeleton use with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The level of importance of completing ADLs and IADLs to the …

Beyond Tuition: Understanding The Financial Impact Of Full-Time Clinical Education On Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students, Michelle L. Donahue

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The physical therapy literature has explored the cost and affordability of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education; however, academic and clinical educators may lack a nuanced understanding of the costs students incur to complete their full-time Clinical Education (CE) experiences. This study explored expenses beyond course credits during a full-time CE experience. As this was the first exploratory study on this topic, the aim was to gather information from a diverse sample of participants about the costs associated with a CE experience and the perceived financial burden. Method: A survey was developed and administered to collect quantitative and …

Parental Involvement In An Indonesian Islamic Kindergarten: An Instrumental Case Study Of Mothers’ Voices, Somariah Fitriani, Yessy Yanita Sari, Irdalisa Irdalisa, Hamidah Mohamad

The Qualitative Report

Parental involvement plays a critical role in children’s cognitive, effective, and psychomotor development; however, limited research has explored mothers’ perceptions of parenting and practices of parental involvement and parenting styles. This instrumental case study employed semi-structured interviews with 23 mothers in an Indonesian Islamic kindergarten to explore their understandings, experiences, and beliefs regarding parental involvement. It also aims to identify different kinds of parenting styles. The study revealed three themes, indicating that parenting and parental involvement are understood as an educating process, an interaction process between parents and children, and a mechanism for supporting children’s development. The findings indicate that …

Truly Blown Away — Humanistic Lens Looking At Glassblowers’ Creative Thinking: A Qualitative Case Study, Yugant Patra

The Qualitative Report

This study examines how emotional and cognitive engagement shape glassblowing artists’ decision-making and artistic outcomes throughout the creative process. Using a qualitative case study methodology, the study examines how glassblowing artists conceptualize, execute, and refine their work by balancing their artistic vision with the medium's technical demands through a humanistic lens. Five themes emerge, which are discussed: the identification with self – confronting the demons, I belong here, claiming the molten as my own, the reign of glass and from it fractures rising anew, and having a conversation with glass. The study closes with the need for continued research on …

Autoethnography: Understandings, Evolution, And The Influence Of Genai, Prokopis Christou

The Qualitative Report

Autoethnography occupies a central place within qualitative research because of its focus on lived experience, reflexivity, and meaning-making. In this paper, I critically examine the implications of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) for autoethnographic inquiry through a reflexive and theoretically informed discussion situated within the contemporary AI-mediated era. By revisiting key understandings and developments of autoethnography while drawing on technological mediation theory, I explore how GenAI extends beyond a mere tool to become a mediating mechanism capable of profoundly shaping autoethnographic practice. Attention is given to how seemingly minor AI-generated alterations may transform lived experience into more polished, coherent, and emotionally …

The Lived Spirituality Experiences Of Adult Diabetes Patients In Adhering To Treatment, Dwight Mahaputera Marulitua Hutapea

The Qualitative Report

This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived spirituality experiences of adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in adhering to treatment. Prior research has indicated that spirituality may influence attitudes toward and adherence to chronic disease management; however, empirical evidence addressing the spiritual dimension among people with diabetes remains limited. Guided by Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological method, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 purposively selected participants, equally distributed among Christians and Muslims. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to rigorous phenomenological analysis. Seven themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) spirituality strengthens relationships; (b) spirituality affects choices and outcomes; …

Waves Of Exhaustion, Currents Of Renewal: An Autoethnography Of Academic Emotional Burnout And Recovery, Rofiza Aboo Bakar

The Qualitative Report

This autoethnography explores my experience of academic burnout and emotional recovery as a mid-career female educator in a Malaysian public university. Drawing from reflective journals, memory work, and embodied recollections between 2023 and 2025, I trace a personal journey through three experiential phases: the weight of expectations, burnout and emotional rupture, and embodied recovery through open sea swimming. The narrative is guided by Chang’s (2016) thematic structuring approach and interpreted through Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. My story reveals how burnout was not the result of overwork, but of institutional erasure. As I navigated the …

With Students, As A Student: Using Reflexive Autoethnography To Make Sense Of Navigating Student–Researcher Liminality In A Ph.D., Melody Bishop

The Qualitative Report

Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are increasingly encouraged to practice reflexivity. But there is a lack of PGR-authored literature about what it means to negotiate multiple identities, particularly for student–researchers doing research with students. This paper explores challenges experienced during a longitudinal Ph.D. project involving undergraduate students with long-term health conditions. I present outcomes of a reflexive autoethnographic analysis of a diary kept making sense of research challenges, including holding dual positions as a student–researcher at the same institution. Drawing on the notion of liminality, I argue that the boundaries between my student–researcher identities, and between myself and participants, have been consistently …

Caveats For The Forensic Use Of The Pcl-R With Antisocial And Psychopathic Women, Carl B. Gacono, Ted B. Cunliffe, Jason M. Smith, Enna E. Taylor

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Special considerations are necessary when assessing antisocial and psychopathic women.  Evident throughout the evaluation process (Cunliffe et al., 2016; Gacono, 2016; Gacono & Meloy, 1994; Gacono & Smith, 2021; Smith et al., 2014, 2021; Taylor, 2015), gender differences suggest the need for modified approaches, shape the transference/countertransference between examinee and examiner, and affect the administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests. In this article we summarize Rorschach findings that support the underlying dynamics in antisocial and psychopathic women, discuss the unique aspects of evaluating the female psychopath, and present eight PCL-R items in need of modification for assessing women.

The Current - Volume 37 Issue 01, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Comparative Analysis Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Implications For Active Learning And Assessment At Various Curricular Levels Of Stem And Health Sciences In Developed Versus Underprivileged Countries, Vinay Munlapudi, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

Today’s all-pervasive emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of its role in education, especially for occupational disciplines in health sciences and STEM. AI has reshaped student learning and instructors’ navigation of the evolving, post coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) global academic landscape. This study aimed at encapsulating evidence-based AI implications for student-centered, active learning and assessment at various curricular levels of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and health sciences education in developed versus underprivileged or less developed countries. An extensive, scoping review of 65 recent, scholarly publications was conducted over six months through diverse search engines (PubMed, Google …

A Strategic Perspective Examining The Misconceptions Surrounding Alternative Certification Programs, Sacorya Ferguson

FDLA Journal

This strategic research project was designed to provide insight into the misconceptions associated with alternative certification programs. The researcher investigates specific problems within an organization or other setting. Within this organization, the researcher holds many roles, including ELAR teacher, ESL teacher, and LPAC chair. George Washington Carver 6th Grade STEM Learning Center is a transitional campus in Lancaster, Texas with two consecutive years of low performance on state exams, placing the organization at risk of state intervention. A SWOT analysis of the organization analyzed the internal and external factors affecting the organization. Upon completion of the SWOT analysis, the problem …

A Strategic Research Project Exploring An African American Church’S Engagement In Public And Nonprofit Healthcare Partnerships, Josephine Louise Evans

Transformations

This Strategic Research Project examines how churches engage in public and nonprofit healthcare partnerships to address community health disparities and strengthen congregational well-being. Guided by organizational leadership principles and supported by frameworks such as the Social Ecological Model, change theory, and systems thinking, the study explores the perceptions, experiences, and decision-making processes of pastoral leaders involved in cross-sector collaboration. Using a mixed-methods design, the research analyzes qualitative insights from leadership interviews alongside quantitative data on community health trends to identify facilitators, barriers, and perceived effectiveness of these partnerships. Findings reveal that trust building, cultural competence, shared mission alignment, and resource …

The Role Of Trauma-Informed Care In Supporting At-Risk Students In Alternative Education, Jar'mel D. Taylor Dr.

Transformations

Students with traumatic experiences commonly fail to meet educational goals and control their emotions while also losing their involvement in classes. Standard trauma-informed care practices remain absent from numerous alternative educational institutions, which leaves their teaching community without adequate support to help traumatized students effectively. The application of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) strategies toward student outcomes requires investigation to develop effective educational approaches that enhance school success. The researcher used qualitative exploratory case study methodology to study TIC practices in alternative education for Black and Brown adolescent students (aged 12–18) in Washington, D.C. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group with 16 …

Rockin’ Rover On The Rainbow Road, Michael Kolta, Lawrence Burgee, Ying Yuan

Transformations

This paper presents a progressive series of age-appropriate lesson plans for grades K-12 that all use the same interdisciplinary activity to educate students about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) simultaneously. Technology from Texas Instruments (TI) was employed including a TI Nspire graphing calculator that can run Python programs, a TI Innovator Hub, and a TI Rover. The TI Rover is a small, robotic car that has sensors and is controlled by the calculator via the Hub hardware interface. A Python program was developed that uses the color sensor in the Rover to detect the color on colored paper …

Spatiotemporal Analyses Of The Biological Condition Gradient (Bcg) For Florida’S Coral Reef, Maya Becker

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

A conceptual model known as the Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) was originally constructed for biological assessments and has recently been adopted for use on Florida’s coral reef after repeated anthropogenic stressors have been linked to declines within the state of the reef. Anthropogenic pressures have reduced water quality, exacerbating coral disease and associated mortality disrupting ecosystem services and biological function throughout Florida’s coral reefs (FCR). The intention of the BCG model is to assess biological condition against increasing levels of anthropogenic stress and to identify biological attributes and measurable increments of change from long term monitoring data. Differences in spatial …

Using Environmental Dna (Edna) As A Tool To Detect Sharks And Rays Along The Coast Of Quintana Roo, Mexico, Sara T. Norment

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Elasmobranchs play a critical ecological role in marine environments, yet many populations worldwide remain poorly known and monitored. This is particularly true in Mexico despite its high biodiversity and ongoing fishing pressures. Traditional monitoring methods, such as commercial fisheries and fishery-independent surveys using longlines or nets, are often limited, leaving important knowledge gaps. Previous studies have shown that environmental DNA (eDNA), small traces of DNA left behind in the water column from feces, skin, or mucus, is a transformative, non-invasive tool for detecting elasmobranch presence and diversity across marine ecosystems.

This project used eDNA metabarcoding to detect and identify elasmobranch …

Applications And Insights Of The Use Of Ethnographic Research In A Local Context Of Nepal, Dipak Raj Rai, Sunita Dangol, Megh Raj Dangal

The Qualitative Report

This paper expounds on ethnographic research in comprehending the cultural, economic, and social nuances in the Nepali local community. The paper also emphasizes the significance of ethnographic research in providing profound insights into the daily lives, traditions, and interactions of cultural groups. This writing aims to describe the historical concept of ethnography, its philosophical standpoint, types of ethnography, fields of ethnographic research and commonly used methods for collecting ethnographic data. The main idea of the paper is to present the methods employed such as participant observation, ethnographic interviews, self-reporting, and artifacts that enable the researcher to obtain the true lived …

“Caring Makes Students Learn English More Easily And Enthusiastically”: Exploring The Emotional And Academic Outcomes Of Experiencing Teacher Care In Medical Sciences University Efl Classes In Iran, Kiyana Zhaleh, Shima Azizbeigi

The Qualitative Report

Previous research on teacher care in university second/foreign language (L2) classes have primarily concentrated on non-medical sciences students, resulting in a lack of insights into its effects in medical sciences education. This is surprising considering the field-specific challenges of medical sciences education, potentially influencing teacher caring behaviors in this context. Addressing this gap, this qualitative study employed the emotional response theory (ERT) and positive psychology to explore how Iranian medical sciences undergraduates perceive teacher care in university EFL classes, how they emotionally respond to it, and how their experiences of care impacted their academic outcomes. In this descriptive qualitative research …

Reflections On Focus Group Participant Recruitment In An Indian Youth Mental Health Study, Debanjali Saha, Ketoki Mazumdar

The Qualitative Report

In this article, I (DS) critically reflected on my journey as an Indian graduate student while navigating dissonant expectations versus reality from the planning to data collection phase of my doctoral research, especially the challenges involved in the participant recruitment process for focus group discussions. The goal of my study was to understand the narratives of various stakeholders of the Indian higher education community on students’ mental health on Indian college campuses using Participatory Action Research strategy with the help of focus group discussions. Recruiting participants was a crucial first step in this endeavor. Six FGDs were conducted with a …

Reimagining Photovoice: Leveraging Ai For Inclusive And Equitable Engagement In Refugee Research, Areej Al-Hamad, Kateryna Metersky, Yasin M. Yasin, Victoria Hayrabedian, Rezwana Rahman

The Qualitative Report

This methodology paper reimagines photovoice, a visual research method, by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), thereby expanding methodological options for both researchers and participants to foster more inclusive and equitable engagement in refugee research. Using AI-generated images, metaphors, and photocollage, displaced Ukrainian women in Canada co-created symbolic visuals to express complex emotions and experiences that may be difficult to capture through traditional photography. This approach addresses limitations of conventional photovoice by reducing technological and linguistic barriers, enhancing emotional expression, and supporting diverse representations of displacement and resettlement. Rather than replacing existing methods, this AI-assisted approach expands the methodological options available to …

Identify And Widen Bottlenecks In The Asexual Restoration Of Endangered Orbicella Faveolata Boulder Coral, Whitney Schwab

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Landscape-scale coral reef restoration is constrained by the context-dependent responses of corals to environmental and ecological conditions throughout a region, and identifying factors affecting the growth and survival of key reef-building species is essential for maximizing restoration success. In collaboration with Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the University of Miami (UM), and Mote Marine Laboratory, this study evaluated the relative effects of intrinsic factors (putative genotype and source colony location) and extrinsic factors (ex-situ nursery system characteristics, in-situ nursery location, nursery type (ex-situ vs. in-situ), and environmental conditions) on Orbicella faveolata tissue regeneration and survival following fragmentation. Corals …