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Influences Of Peer Pressure And Relationship Knowledge On Sexual Behaviors Of Hispanic/Latino Youth, Richard Velez Jan 2016

Influences Of Peer Pressure And Relationship Knowledge On Sexual Behaviors Of Hispanic/Latino Youth, Richard Velez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Numerous studies have shown a rising HIV/AIDS epidemic among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos. Risky sexual behavior, alcohol, drug abuse, and sociodemographics contribute to Hispanics/Latinos' elevated risk for contracting HIV and other STDs. There is a need for additional research to understand the combination of factors associated with HIV and other STD infection among Hispanic/Latino youth. Based on social cognitive theory, this study examined the influences of peer pressure and relationship knowledge on risky sexual behavior among Hispanic/Latino young adults as measured by the Peer Pressure Inventory (PPI), the Teenage Research Unlimited Survey (TRU), and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). A group …

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Exploring Literacy Coaching As A Form Of Staff Development, Kate Matthews Welborn Jan 2016

Exploring Literacy Coaching As A Form Of Staff Development, Kate Matthews Welborn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Following a 2011 audit a school district in the south central United States clarified the role of the literacy coach. However, there were still differences among the literacy coaches as to how they were performing their duties. As a result, the purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the role of the literacy coach in the participating school district. The theoretical foundation of this study addressed adult learning and was based upon Kegan's constructive development theory and Knowles's theory of androgogy. A case study design was used to explore how 5 literacy coaches implemented literacy staff development …

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Self-Efficacy And Self-Management Assessments On Hispanic Patients With Diabetes, Yesenia Dejesus Jan 2016

Self-Efficacy And Self-Management Assessments On Hispanic Patients With Diabetes, Yesenia Dejesus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hispanics are at increased risk for diabetes and are 40% more likely to die from the condition than are non-Hispanic Caucasians. The purpose of this project was to determine the effects of diabetes education conducted in Spanish by bilingual staff on the self-management and self-efficacy of a sample of 50 volunteer adult Hispanic clinic patients with diabetes. The education intervention incorporated the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Self-Management Education program materials. Bandura's self-efficacy theory was selected as the theoretical support for the project that relied on self-management education of the patients to improve their self-efficacy to undertake the interventions necessary to …

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Sexual Health Education Policy: Influences On Implementation Of Sexual Health Education Programs, Renata Denise Ellington Jan 2016

Sexual Health Education Policy: Influences On Implementation Of Sexual Health Education Programs, Renata Denise Ellington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High school youth in Grades 9-12 who are in public schools without comprehensive sexual health education (CSHED) are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors and have higher rates of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases than are their peers in schools with CSHED. The purpose of this correlational study was to explore the statistical relationship between the consistent implementation of CSHED, before and after the enactment of the Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) sexual health education policy, and the sexual risk behaviors of Chicago high school youth in Grades 9-12. The study was based on Antonovsky's salutogenic model of health …

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District-Funded Common Core Collaboration Grants Used For Teacher Professional Development, Stephanie Pratt Gregson Jan 2016

District-Funded Common Core Collaboration Grants Used For Teacher Professional Development, Stephanie Pratt Gregson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English language arts and mathematics by the State of California in 2010, a shift in instructional practices along with the level of rigor and expectations for students began. As a result of these changes, a local school district sought a way through district-funded Common Core Collaboration Grants (CCCG) to provide professional development that supported 4th-6th grade teachers in their implementation of the CCSS. The purpose of this qualitative program evaluation case study was to examine teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of professional development funded by CCCG in supporting 4th-6th …

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Compassion Fatigue In Emergency Department Nurses, Dionne Hutson Hendy Jan 2016

Compassion Fatigue In Emergency Department Nurses, Dionne Hutson Hendy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue (CF) is a problem seen within healthcare institutions worldwide, especially critical care units and emergency departments (EDs). The problem identified in this quality improvement (QI) project was CF, experienced by nurses in the ED. The effects of CF cross nurse-patient boundaries and negatively impact a patient's expectations of having a quality care experience. The Iowa model's evidence-based team approach was used to guide the development of the education initiative for nurses on recognizing, preventing, and identifying methods of coping with CF in the ED. The outcome products for the project included an extensive review of the literature, a …

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Effects Of Education On Pressure Ulcer Prevention In Developmentally Disabled Individuals, Jasneth M. James Jan 2016

Effects Of Education On Pressure Ulcer Prevention In Developmentally Disabled Individuals, Jasneth M. James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pressure ulcers were a continuing concern among the nonverbal developmentally disabled population of a state institution. The lengthy use of wheelchairs, the inability to body shift, and physical and mental impairment were attributes of the target population that have been cited in the literature as contributing to pressure ulcer. The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest/posttest project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an education intervention for direct care staff on the prevention treatment, and eradication of pressure ulcers among patients with developmental disabilities. Orem's self-care deficit theory, particularly the emphasis on the need for nursing staff to perform self-care activities …

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Systematic Review: Barriers That Prevent Compliance With Hydroxyurea In Sickle Cell Disease, Uchechukwu Imegi Jan 2016

Systematic Review: Barriers That Prevent Compliance With Hydroxyurea In Sickle Cell Disease, Uchechukwu Imegi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disorder that is inherited from both parents and affects millions of people globally. The symptoms of SCD may be debilitating and pose a significant challenge to nursing care. Hydroxyurea (HU), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment for SCD in adults is reportedly effective, but its usage is still minimal among adolescents with SCD. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate existing literature on the barriers to HU use in adolescents with SCD. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-based Practice (JHNEBP) Rating Scales guided this study. An extensive electronic search of …

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Generational Differences Among Social Security Administration Employees And Their Perception Of Value, Joyce Moses Jones Jan 2016

Generational Differences Among Social Security Administration Employees And Their Perception Of Value, Joyce Moses Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social Security Administration (SSA) managers and leaders are facing an unprecedented challenge to understand 3 to 5 generations of employees, and value the diversity of each group (Glass, 2007). Perceived lack of recognition has resulted in low morale and job satisfaction, leaving employees not feeling valued. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological research study was to explore, identify, and examine the lived experiences and perceptions of SSA employees to determine how managers and leaders can contribute to employee valuation. The central question and subquestions were designed to determine whether generational theory accurately described the lived experiences and perceptions of the …

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The Lived Experiences Of Hiv+ Community Health Workers Serving Hiv+ Clients, Phronie Lynn Jackson Jan 2016

The Lived Experiences Of Hiv+ Community Health Workers Serving Hiv+ Clients, Phronie Lynn Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Numerous studies have focused on the effectiveness of community health worker (CHW) programs in producing positive health behaviors and health outcomes for the clients CHWs serve; however, there has been a gap in the literature regarding how the health of HIV + CHWs is impacted by their jobs. A phenomenological design was used to gain insight into the lived experiences of HIV+ CHWs (HIVCHW) who provided services to HIV positive clients. Fifteen HIVCHW were recruited using criteria and snowball techniques. Data were collected via audio recorded personal interviews regarding respondents' perceptions of their work and how it impacted their own …

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Improving The Completion Rate Of Advance Directives In Home Health Agencies, Ndidiamaka Ezinne Mbakpuo Jan 2016

Improving The Completion Rate Of Advance Directives In Home Health Agencies, Ndidiamaka Ezinne Mbakpuo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of individuals aged more than 65 years in the United States and their life expectancy has been increasing in the past decades. In spite of the presence of federal and accreditation policies recommending completion of advance directive documents by patients admitted to health care settings, advance directive completion rates are low in most health care organizations. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of advance directive completion among home health patients. The health belief model provided the theoretical framework that guided this study. A retrospective chart review was carried out in a home health agency …

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Heroes Or Victims: The Lived Experiences Of Women On Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Northwestern Nigeria, Sarah Kasham Philips Jan 2016

Heroes Or Victims: The Lived Experiences Of Women On Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Northwestern Nigeria, Sarah Kasham Philips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The custom of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a traditional practice inimical to women's health with profound implications. There is a gap in the literature on the lived experiences of women who have undergone FGM/C and their statuses within their communities. Guided by the social cognitive theory and the ecological model, this qualitative study aimed at explicating the attitudes and perceptions of women in the northwest region of Nigeria towards the practice of FGM/C, to illuminate how the women view themselves in their society and the inspiration for the continued practice of FGM/C. Interview and observation data were gathered from …

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Education Program For Nurses Working In An Immigration Detention Facility, Dr. Tiney Elizabeth Ray Jan 2016

Education Program For Nurses Working In An Immigration Detention Facility, Dr. Tiney Elizabeth Ray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing response to medical emergencies has been an ongoing issue in immigration detention centers. Lack of teamwork and poor communication with medical and security staff have resulted in detainees sustaining injuries during medical emergencies. This project was developed to persuade Immigration and Customs Enforcement Health Service Corps (IHSC) leaders to consider piloting the TeamSTEPPS emergency response curriculum for nurses working in the immigration detention center. Tuckman and Jensen's model of group development will provide guidance to IHSC leaders in understanding the transformational stages of forming a successful team. TeamSTEPPS will address gaps in emergency health care competency by improving collaboration, …

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Junior High School Teachers' Perceptions Of Math Instruction For African American Students, Sandra Denise Richardson Jan 2016

Junior High School Teachers' Perceptions Of Math Instruction For African American Students, Sandra Denise Richardson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A mathematics achievement gap exists between 8th grade African American students and other ethnic groups. Guided by the conceptual framework of constructivism, the purpose of this case study was to examine 8, Grade 8 math teachers' perceptions of factors contributing to mathematical performance gap in their African American students and what instructional strategies can be used to help reduce the achievement gap in southwest Georgia. Data were obtained through interviews and classroom observations and were coded and analyzed using typological analysis, followed by inductive analysis. The results of the data revealed teachers perceived recruiting and retaining African American teachers and …

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Perceptions Of Adult Professional Studies Instructors Regarding Developing And Transitioning Online Courses, Miah M. Skinner Jan 2016

Perceptions Of Adult Professional Studies Instructors Regarding Developing And Transitioning Online Courses, Miah M. Skinner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although a mandate was given in an urban southern university for instructors in the Adult Professional Studies Program (APS) to begin transitioning their face-to-face courses to online curricula, few courses have been converted. The purpose of this case study was to determine APS instructors' perceptions of developing and transitioning face-to-face courses to an online format. Lewin's change theory and force field analysis provided the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions concerned the faculty's perceptions of developing and transitioning courses to an online format. A purposeful sample of fulltime and adjunct faculty, with different levels of expertise in online …

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Middle School Teachers' Experiences With Teaching Self-Regulation Skills To Adolescents With Disabilities, Jessica Traylor Jan 2016

Middle School Teachers' Experiences With Teaching Self-Regulation Skills To Adolescents With Disabilities, Jessica Traylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research shows that adolescents with disabilities often lack self-regulated learning skills. Current research further indicates that explicit teaching of self-regulation skills is beneficial to adolescents with disabilities. The site of this study was a local middle school in rural Georgia that did not assess whether or not teachers were explicitly teaching self-regulation skills to adolescents with disabilities. It was unknown, therefore, whether adolescents with disabilities were learning self-regulation skills in school and whether teachers faced problems in teaching these skills. The study sought to explore this gap in knowledge and practice. Zimmerman's self-regulated learning theory and Bandura's self-efficacy theory served …

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Sustainability Challenges For Maize And Cassava Farmers In Amankwakrom Subdistrict, Ghana, Franklin Komla Atadja Jan 2016

Sustainability Challenges For Maize And Cassava Farmers In Amankwakrom Subdistrict, Ghana, Franklin Komla Atadja

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Agricultural system in Ghana underperformed because of limited financing, which constrained some small-scale maize and cassava farmers. The purpose of this case study design was to explore the methods that some small-scale maize and cassava farmers in Amankwakrom Subdistrict used in obtaining farm financing. Two themes from the literature review were a lack of collateral for small-scale farm financing and the small-scale farmers cooperative associations' role in farm financing. Regional-scale management sustainability index formed the conceptual framework for this study. Data collection included semistructured face-to-face interviews with 8 fluent English speaking small-scale maize and cassava farmers who have obtained farm …

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Successful Enterprise Resource Planning System Implementation: A Higher Education Managerial Perspective, Elizabeth A. Arthur Jan 2016

Successful Enterprise Resource Planning System Implementation: A Higher Education Managerial Perspective, Elizabeth A. Arthur

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The overall success rate of implementing enterprise resource planning systems is about 30%. Guided by systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the strategies used to ensure a successful implementation by information technology managers working in higher education settings. The data were derived from semistructured interviews of 6 managers and documentation from a higher education institution in the northeastern United States that successfully implemented an ERP system. Data analysis consisted of reviewing interview transcripts, from which themes and patterns were identified and coded. Three recurring factors arose throughout the analysis involved commitment, communication, and …

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Domestic Violence Intervention Program Facilitators' Motivation For Working With Repeat Offenders, Elaine Marie Barclay Jan 2016

Domestic Violence Intervention Program Facilitators' Motivation For Working With Repeat Offenders, Elaine Marie Barclay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) rehabilitative program facilitators administer the same treatment programs to males who reoffend. When DV facilitators administer the same unsuccessful treatment programs to repeat offenders, facilitators may lose intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to perform their job. For this study a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology approach was used to explore the phenomenon of DV facilitators' motivation. Self-determination theory was used to frame the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on DV facilitators who administer treatment programs to repeat offending males. A recruitment flyer was placed in the DV organization, data were collected from 7 participants through face-to-face or telephone interviews …

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Exploring The Experiences Of Hispanic Esl Students In Esl Programs, Raynelda A. Calderon Jan 2016

Exploring The Experiences Of Hispanic Esl Students In Esl Programs, Raynelda A. Calderon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Instructors of English as Second Language (ESL) at a private community college had raised concerns regarding Hispanic ESL students not developing sufficient English proficiency. The purpose of this single exploratory case study was to explore the phenomenon brought forward by ESL instructors and share the results with the ESL program and the college. The conceptual framework for this qualitative study was based on the classroom learning motivation theory suggesting that the environment in which a student is learning a new language also plays a major role in second language learning. Data collection was conducted through 3 ESL classroom observations and …

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Attachment, Acculturative Stress, Social Supports, Separation, And Marital Distress In Mexican And Central American Adult Immigrants Separated From Primary Caregivers As Children, Isaac Carreon Jan 2016

Attachment, Acculturative Stress, Social Supports, Separation, And Marital Distress In Mexican And Central American Adult Immigrants Separated From Primary Caregivers As Children, Isaac Carreon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latinas/os are reported to be the fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, with a large percentage being newly arrived immigrants. Previous research has found that many migrate in phases, with the father leaving the family behind or both parents migrating and leaving children in the care of family members. Separations from parental figures have been found to lead to psychosocial, psychological, and educational problems. Additional challenges of immigrants include acculturative stress, lack of social support, attachment problems, poverty, discrimination, unemployment, and marital distress. The purpose of this study was to inquire if immigrant variables (attachment, acculturative stress, and …

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Alignment Of Standards, Assessment, And Compliance For A Residential Support Provider Organization, Monique Day Jan 2016

Alignment Of Standards, Assessment, And Compliance For A Residential Support Provider Organization, Monique Day

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although Code of Maryland policy mandates multidisciplinary, integrated teams for residential service provider organizations (RPOs) for an intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) population, alignment criteria to identify and evaluate the functional characteristics of such teams do not exist. This ambiguity has resulted in potential conflict in the goals of service delivery, as well as misaligned quality assessment and policy development criteria. The intent of this general qualitative study was to use complex adaptive systems theory and Vitkiene's work on corporate ethos to determine whether the services provided by a single RPO were consistent and aligned with the regulatory mandate set by the …

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The Relationship Between Health Risk And Workplace Productivity In Saudi Arabia, Sarah Lorraine Hayman Jan 2016

The Relationship Between Health Risk And Workplace Productivity In Saudi Arabia, Sarah Lorraine Hayman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rising worldwide rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Middle East, principally Saudi Arabia, have put an increasing load on the health system and employers. Middle Eastern organizations have been slow to develop targeted health programs, which include an emphasis on employee productivity. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship, if any, between employee lifestyle and workplace productivity. Productivity is the amount of work produced based on the time and cost required to do so. The underlying theoretical foundations of this research were the socioecological health model and the human capital model. The quantitative, ex post facto …

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Exploring Strategies That It Leaders Use To Adopt Cloud Computing, Zeeshan H. Khan Jan 2016

Exploring Strategies That It Leaders Use To Adopt Cloud Computing, Zeeshan H. Khan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Information Technology (IT) leaders must leverage cloud computing to maintain competitive advantage. Evidence suggests that IT leaders who have leveraged cloud computing in small and medium sized organizations have saved an average of $1 million in IT services for their organizations. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies that IT leaders use to adopt cloud computing for their organizations. The target population consisted of 15 IT leaders who had experience with designing and deploying cloud computing solutions at their organization in Long Island, New York within the past 2 years. The conceptual framework of this …

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Exploring Barriers To Fathers' Implementation Of Behavioral Interventions For Nonverbal Children With Autism, Michael Lafasakis Jan 2016

Exploring Barriers To Fathers' Implementation Of Behavioral Interventions For Nonverbal Children With Autism, Michael Lafasakis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many families, regardless of their ethnic and cultural background, find it challenging to raise a nonverbal child with autism. Parent-implemented behavioral interventions can contribute to positive behavior change related to joint attention, imitation, and communication. However, many parents face barriers that prevent them from implementing behavioral interventions in the home. Very little research has been conducted on fathers of nonverbal children with autism to ascertain their perspectives on these barriers. In this qualitative study, a phenomenological design was used to obtain input from 12 fathers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds residing in New York City regarding barriers to implementing …

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Strategies For Managing An Age-Diverse Workforce In Curaçao, Yamil Walid Lasten Jan 2016

Strategies For Managing An Age-Diverse Workforce In Curaçao, Yamil Walid Lasten

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some business leaders find it challenging to manage individuals from different age groups; this is an issue, as organizations in many developed countries become more age-diverse. The purpose of this single case study was to provide business leaders with information about strategies top-level business executives and team leaders at a large company in Curaçao (a developed island nation in the Caribbean) use for enhancing productivity of an age-diverse workforce. The conceptual framework of this study consisted of generational theory of Mannheim. A key tenet of the generational theory includes that belonging to the same generational unit, generational location, and generational …

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Exploring Leader-Initiated Change Management For Adopting Cloud Services, Nancy Marie Landreville Jan 2016

Exploring Leader-Initiated Change Management For Adopting Cloud Services, Nancy Marie Landreville

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cloud technology requires a virtualized ubiquitous and scalable environment with shared resources. The general problem in cloud adoption is the absence of standardization across organizations. A standardized approach remained elusive since the inception of the Cloud First mandate. The purpose of this study was to explore leader-initiated change management (LICM) practices in cloud adoption within organizations. The theoretical framework included the classical theories of Kurt Lewin's organization change management, leader-member exchange, intentional change, and appreciative inquiry. A multiple case study design approach facilitated the exploration of LICM-value added practices to identify standardization in cloud adoption practices. Data collection included semistructured …

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Attitudes And Beliefs Towards Prostate Cancer Screenings And Diagnosis Among Zimbabwean Physicians, Adoniah Mavura Mukona Jan 2016

Attitudes And Beliefs Towards Prostate Cancer Screenings And Diagnosis Among Zimbabwean Physicians, Adoniah Mavura Mukona

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Zimbabwean men at risk of developing prostate cancer (PC) are diagnosed late or not at all. A cross sectional, quantitative study was done in Zimbabwe to establish physicians' attitudes and beliefs towards PC screening and diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were obtained to determine physicians' beliefs and attitudes using the Physician Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire Survey. The instrument incorporated validated instruments, the Burns' Cancer Belief Scale and Physician Survey on Prostate Cancer Screening, and demographic questions to measure specific independent variables, potentially influencing attitudes and beliefs. Means and standard deviations were conducted for continuous variables for beliefs and attitudes, and frequencies and …

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Financial Distress In The Health Care Business, Firas Fathi Musmar Jan 2016

Financial Distress In The Health Care Business, Firas Fathi Musmar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sixty-four United States hospitals closed for poor organizational performance during 2010 through 2016. Because of hospital closures, community members experienced delays in obtaining needed care, reduced access to specialty care, and increased travel distances. Based on the balanced scorecard model theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies that 10 health care leaders used at a healthcare organization in central Texas to prevent financial distress. Semistructured interviews were conducted and archival organizational accounting records were reviewed, including company surveys with employees and patients. Data were thematically analyzed and triangulated to ensure the trustworthiness of interpretations. …

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An Evidence-Based Asthma Management Plan For The Pediatric Practice Setting, Foroogh Narmani-Mohammadi Jan 2016

An Evidence-Based Asthma Management Plan For The Pediatric Practice Setting, Foroogh Narmani-Mohammadi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood. Education directed toward asthma self-management is vital and emphasizes patient participation in symptom monitoring and control. The practice problem addressed in this quality improvement project was the lack of an asthma management plan in the pediatric setting for which the project was developed. The purpose of the project was to develop an evidence-based asthma initiative consisting of a staff education curriculum with a pretest/posttest and a patient self-management component. Using a team approach, Rosswurm and Larrabee's conceptual model served as the practice framework to guide the development of the project. Two …

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