Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing Annual Retinal Exams Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Afokoghene H. Odhu

Doctoral Projects

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2017) reports that approximately 30 million people in the United States (US) have diabetes. Approximately 8 million have diabetes retinopathy (DR) (CDC, 2018). DR is the leading cause of vision impairment in type 2 diabetes patients. Left untreated, DR can result in loss of vision and blindness (Hernández, Simó-Servat, Bogdanov, & Simó, 2017). The US spends approximately $500 million dollars annually in the treatment of diabetes-related blindness (CDC, n.d.). Early detection and management of DR through tight glycemic control, aggressive blood pressure and lipid management is essential to preventing complications of the …

Evaluation Of The Integration Of Behavioral Health Services Into Primary Care, David B. Vander Ark

Doctoral Projects

Background: Primary care providers are increasingly challenged with managing individuals with behavioral health needs. Evidence suggests that integrating behavioral health services into primary care can improve individual health outcomes and can improve access to behavioral health services.

Objectives: The purpose of this project is to evaluate key outcomes following the evidencebased integration of behavioral health services into a primary care practice.

Methods: Using the Collaborative Practice Model as the implementation model, the behavioral health leadership team added a licensed social worker to a primary care practice on a pilot basis. The social worker offers short-term solution-focused therapy, focusing on depression …

A Quality Improvement Project To Improve Financial Sustainability Of Home-Based Palliative Care Program, Andrea L. Giffel

Doctoral Projects

Background and Objectives: Home palliative care services are challenging to bill due to the complexity of services and competing time demands. Objectives and protocol were developed to guide coding and billing to increase Relative Value Unit generation and improve financial sustainability.

Design: A quality improvement project.

Setting: A home-based palliative care program in one health system in the Midwest.

Participants: Participants included 7 nurse practitioners.

Intervention: Coding protocol were developed, providers were educated, electronic health record audits were conducted to collect data on improvement, and feedback provided to prompt improvement.

Measurement and Analysis: Documentation of advanced care planning and billing, …

The Efficacy Of Foreign Aid In Counterterrorism Efforts, Carter A. Hanson

Student Publications

A literature review investigating the effectiveness of foreign aid in countering terrorism, and donor countries' motivations to allocate foreign aid with the stated goal of combating terrorist insurgencies in recipient nations. In the post-9/11 period, the United States has increasingly invested in counterterrorism efforts, making the assessment and examination of the effectiveness of these efforts all the more important for American policymakers and citizens alike.

"Heartbreaking" Referrals, Professional "Disgrace": The Impact Of Medicare Ineligibility On The Counseling Profession, Matther C. Fullen, Jonathan D. Wiley, Justin Jordan, Jyotsana Sharma, Gerard Lawson

Adultspan Journal

No abstract provided.

Friendships, Subjective Age, And Life Satisfaction Of Women In Midlife, Suzanne Degges-White, Marcela Kepic

Adultspan Journal

No abstract provided.

Working Our Way Out Of Privilege: Lessons From South Africa On Preparing White Americans For A National Transitional Justice Process, Susan R. Wysor Nguema

Social Work (Undergraduate) Faculty Publications

This study utilized difference-in-differences analysis to determine likelihood of confidence in four major public institutions over three periods of time in South Africa and the United States, two prior to South Africa’s transitional justice process and one after. Results indicate that Black South African confidence rose while White South African confidence dropped drastically. American confidence levels, for both races, remained relatively consistent over all three time periods. The drastic drop in White South African likelihood of confidence points to possible feelings of loss related to power and privilege. These results provide insight for social workers interested in addressing racial injustice …

Managing Chronic Pain Through Advancements In Transcranial Brain Stimulation Technology Currently Used For Depression, Ashley N. Skinner

Honors Thesis

The purpose of this thesis is to bring attention to alternatives to using analgesics or painkillers and potentially addictive opioid analgesics. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been proven successful in treating medication-resistant depression. This literature review will look at the links between pain and depression and examine adaptations to TMS coils in hopes of being able to stimulate the regions of the brain that interpret pain. By looking at current advancements in TMS, we can work towards adapting TMS to stimulate deeper regions. The final section of this thesis will examine how making these alternatives more popular will impact pain …

Best Methods For Meeting The Goals Of Environmental And Place-Based Education In Short-Term And Immersive Undergraduate Settings, Henry Whitehead

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone sought to answer the following question: what are the best instructional methods for meeting the goals of place-based and environmental education in a short-term, immersive undergraduate setting? While place-based education and environmental education have been exhaustively studied for younger learners, a dearth of research exists in their application for college students. Through a review of the literature and the execution of the project, a January interim course for college students studying the Driftless Region, it was determined that several factors influence successful and meaningful learning for college students. Most notably, discussion, experiential learning, and engagement with community members …

Graduate Occupational Therapy Students: Communication And Research Preferences From Three University Libraries, Lisa A. Adriani, Daniel G. Kipnis, Rhonda I. Kolbin, Daniel Verbit

Academic Commons and Scott Memorial Library Staff Papers and Presentations

Library liaisons from three universities distributed an anonymous survey to graduate occupational therapy students to gauge preferred methods of communication when conducting research. This article discusses three findings: whom the students prefer to turn to when seeking research assistance, which methods of communication students prefer, and how long students spend searching before asking for assistance. From 193 responses, the liaisons reasoned that students prefer consulting with their peers before seeking help from librarians or faculty or instructors and they 2 prefer assistance face-to-face. Additionally, the majority are willing to research from 30 minutes to 1 hour before seeking research help.

Biological And Social Links Between Eating Behavior And Stress Among College Students, Kailyn M. Mutsch

Honors Thesis

Stress and eating behaviors are known to be correlated in all ages but is primarily associated with young adults. This correlation can be attributed to both biological and social links. In this review, I detail the effects of stress on the brain in a biological manner and the areas of the brain associated with eating behavior. I will also discuss social factors that could contribute to the correlation between stress and eating behavior in college students. Stress is a major factor in optimal digestion and health. A majority of students report experiencing times of stress or feeling overwhelmed throughout their …

Treatment Of Chronic Pain In U.S. Veterans: The Effectiveness Of Interdisciplinary Programs, Morgan L. Compton

Senior Theses

Chronic pain is a prevalent issue amongst US veterans. Experts suggest that interdisciplinary pain treatment is the most effective method of treating chronic pain, specifically due to targeting functioning and quality of life. These programs combine cognitive behavioral therapy and physical therapy by utilizing a variety of exercise and education regimens. The pain department at Columbia VA Health Care System offers both a comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment, Outpatient Interdisciplinary Pain Program (OIPP), and a flexible, multidisciplinary option (OIPP-Lite) for veterans suffering from chronic pain. The goal of this program is to improve knowledge for coping with chronic pain and to create …

Newsletter- Spring 2020, Maria E. Luna-Duarte

El Centro Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Columns Spring 2020, Southern Adventist University

Alumni Newsletter

Features the article "Be Still, and Know That I Am God". God provides a solid foundation for believers. Whether overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty or by the hectic pace of life, we know that His promises of protection, comfort, and guidance remain strong. Southern faculty, staff, and alumni share their experiences of listening to His still, small voice.

April 2020 Quicknotes, Southern Adventist University

QuickNotes – Advancement e-Newsletter

QuickNotes is an e-newsletter that comes from Advancement at Southern Adventist University. The April 2020 edition features the article "New Emergency Fund Helps Students Impacted by Covid-19".

Utrgv Commencement – Spring 2020, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley

UTRGV Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Utrgv Som Commencement 2020, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley. School Of Medicine

SOM Commencement Programs

UTRGV SOM Commencement 2020 Livestream

Improvement In Heart Failure Management Through Implementation Of An Interdisciplinary Algorithm To Reduce 30 Day Hospital Re-Admission, Lindsey Whiting

Nursing Capstones

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to support the body’s vital functions. Recent projections estimate that by the year 2030 the number of HF patients will increase by 46%, resulting in an increased financial strain on the health care system. In response to increasing health care costs the Hospital Re-Admission Reduction Program (HRRP) was implemented. The goal of the HRRP is to improve the quality of patient care by linking defined parameters of quality of patient care to the payment/reimbursement of health care providers and hospitals. A rural northern …

Effect Of Provider Education On Urinary Incontinence Knowledge And Assessment, Kendra L. Roloff

Nursing Capstones

Nearly 50% of women in the United States will experience urinary incontinence at some point during their lives. Urinary incontinence impacts multiple aspects of a woman’s life, yet remains underdiagnosed by primary care providers. The purpose of this project is to implement education and reminders for primary care providers, in order to improve urinary incontinence knowledge and assessment of women 18 years of age or older. The project was carried out in a primary care clinic with primary care providers serving as the participants.

A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was utilized. Data from a five question pre- and posttest were …

Montanan, Spring 2020, University Of Montana--Missoula

Montanan Magazine, 1969-2024

This is the magazine of the University of Montana with news about the University for UM alumni as well as current faculty, students, staff, and administrators. This is volume 37, number 2.

Coffee Collaborators Creating Care- Ipti Reflection, Jessica Stewart, Lea Martin, Janet Lavrich, Cammy Macomber, Casey Imelio, Katherine Buscemi, Nicholas Shellenberger

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Poster documenting collaborative case reflection among students in the Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Osteopathic Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dental Hygiene, and Social Work fields.

An Innovative Collaboration Of An Academic Institution With A Community Recovery Center, Sydney Charles, Jennifer Ritchie, Brian Ruby, Julie Sullivan, Curtis Warren, Nathaniel Whitten, Dahne Yaitanes, Amy J. Litterini

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Research poster documenting the following project: The University of New England (UNE) collaborated with local recovery centers to create an interdisciplinary service learning partnership. Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program explored the role of PT in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery in an elective course. Three interactive PT related sessions were developed for the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Pinetree Recovery Center with the purpose of providing tools for physical activity to aid in the SUD recovery process.

Interprofessional Care Plan For Alex Simpson, Michael Harris, Sujaay Hari Jagannathan, Michelle Morales, Alyssa White

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Poster documenting an interprofessional approach among Social Work, Osteopathic Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy students to provision of care for an uninsured patient with multiple health needs.

Addressing Alex From A Dynamic Team Approach, Julia Busiere, Brianna Fitzgerald, Heather Putnam, Ali Ross, Shannon Yoo, Hadley Warner

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Research poster describing investigation of the question: How is collaboration essential or vital to patient-centered care?

Eagala Inter-Professional Team Development, Crystal Clendennen-Peirce, V. S. Thieme

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) is a team approach to problem solving in which a group or team interacts with horses to accomplish various tasks. The horses are not ridden but instead worked in an open setting to allow reflection and understanding between team members. EAGALA has been used in multiple settings, such as, combatting compassion fatigue in community care workers. (Black 8-13) EAGALA uses experiential learning to realize the goals of the participants This offered an opportunity for interprofessional collaboration between the COM, Nursing, and Social Work students with a technique that has been suggested to reduce …

Caring For Caregivers Of A Loved One With Als, Gabriella Timuscuk, Olivia Ryding, Erin Mccormack

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Research poster describing the following project: Supply caregivers that attended the Caring for Clients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) workshop with a care package. This care package provided tools and resources to help relieve stress and ease the burden that caregivers may be experiencing by promoting self care. Fifteen packages were distributed after the facilitation of an all day workshop on November 16, 2019. Each recipient was sent home with a survey that was to be sent back a month later to provide feedback about the contents.

Ccj Corrections Officer Education Program: Medication Assisted Treatment In Jail, Jasmine Edwards, Kristin Gallagher, Arianna Parent, Kristin Demayo

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Research poster describing project with goal of improving perceptions of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and expanding knowledge surrounding the use of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in corrections officers at the Cumberland County Jail.

Bearings House: Community Reintegration Project, Avery Alberghini, Emma Chabot, Laura Garrard, Alyssa Germanos, Abigail Higgins, Madison Kirchner, Maighan Leblanc, Emily Spencer, Haley Ruth, Carly Mckenna, Frank Brooks, Jan Froehlich

CECE Spring Poster Session 2020

Research poster documenting the following project: Long Creek Youth Development Center offers a variety of activities, an education, mentorship, and structure for Bearings House residents. In addition to those programs, we hoped through building a relationship with residents we could identify their occupational interests and assist in their transition to life in the community. We strived to support residents through their transition to Bearings House and give them an opportunity to further explore their interests as well as expose them to new occupations they may have not previously participated in order to help as they reintegrate into the community.

Improving Palliative Care Utilization Process: An Effort To Enhance Providers` Contribution, Orina Machoka

Nursing Capstones

Worldwide, an estimated 20 million people require palliative care. The Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance has identified the need for palliative care has never been higher and is increasing at a rapid rate due to the world`s aging population, increase in cancer, and noncommunicable disease. Despite the increased need, the palliative care establishment has not been efficient in identifying patients who need palliative care. The use of a standardized screening process to assist in the timely identification of patients with palliative care needs is lacking, or in some cases, non-existent. At a Midwestern pain clinic lack of screening is causing a …

Problematic Issues Of Institutional Development Of Islamic Associations In Contemporary Ukraine, Serhii Ismahilov, Galyna Sagan

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyzes the revival of the Islamic religion which began in Ukraine in the 1990s. The authors point to the problematic issues of the institutional establishment of Islamic associations in contemporary Ukraine. In particular, four stages of development of Islam in independent Ukraine, which have their own institutional and ideological characteristics, are distinguished. Thus, the first stage was the creation of the first three spiritual administrations (the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Crimea, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine, and the Spiritual Center of Muslims of Ukraine), the development of which defined the ideology of future development …