Digital Commons Network^™

Staff Education On Medication Nonadherence In Primary Care Clinic, Priscillia Adaugo Obasi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was a staff education initiative designed to address the practice problem of a lack of evidence-based approaches to patient education on medication compliance in a primary care clinic. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library search engines/databases, revealing nine studies that supported the premise that patient education can promote medication compliance. A practice-focused question underpinning this project was: Will staff education on evidence-based methods for educating patients about the importance of medication adherence result in increased staff knowledge? Baseline staff knowledge and educational needs were obtained using …

Impact Of Emerging Technologies On Leadership Identity Of Behavioral Health Leaders, Jenah Habermehl

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emerging technologies are reshaping behavioral health leadership by changing documentation, communication, ethical responsibilities, and role expectations. Qualitative case study research methodology was used in this study. The problem addressed in this case study was the limited understanding of how emerging technologies influence the leadership identity and professional values of behavioral health leaders. The Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework guided this study of behavioral health leaders at a privately operated behavioral health organization in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Data were collected by conducting semistructured interviews with four behavioral health leaders at the organization and gathering internal archival and …

Improving Pcu Nurses’ Knowledge Of Evidence-Based Mindfulness Techniques Through Targeted Education, Dairia Moore Mohammed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The progressive care unit (PCU) is a high-acuity setting in which nurses manage patients with complex health conditions, respond to rapid changes in clinical status, and navigate ongoing physical and emotional demands. The practice problem that I addressed was, presently, stress-management support is typically informal, optional, and reactive rather than systematic, evidence-based, and preventive. The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a structured educational intervention designed to increase nurses’ knowledge of evidence-based mindfulness breathing techniques that could be integrated into the daily PCU workflow. The practice-focused question was: In PCU nurses in an acute care setting, how …

Prompt Framing And Evidence Requirement For Ai-Generated Educational Responses In Dental Education: Experimental Study., Man Hung, Corban Ward, Owen Cohen, Jacob Marx, Zachary Smit, Jacob Newman, Martin S. Lipsky

Institute on Aging Publications

Large language models are increasingly used in health professions education; however, the role of prompt design in shaping their outputs remains poorly understood in clinical training contexts. In dentistry, where information presentation, perceived credibility, and procedural reasoning are important, the effects of instructional framing and evidence requirements on AI-generated educational responses are particularly relevant.

China Maritime Report #57: Sailing Thousands Of Miles Without Losing Course: The Roles And Authorities Of The Plan Party Standing Committee, Jeffrey Becker, Brian Waidelich

CMSI China Maritime Reports

Main Findings:

• The Navy Party Standing Committee (NPSC) is the Chinese Navy’s core leadership body, but it does not operate independently; it functions within the broader Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and PRC military hierarchy.
• Politically, the NPSC ensures that China’s Navy remains loyal to the CCP with Xi Jinping at its core. Administratively, it ultimately directs personnel, training, procurement, logistics, fiscal management, readiness, and modernization.
• Military reforms have preserved the NPSC’s authoritative role within the Navy, and today’s members have gained more diverse operational experience earlier in their careers than their predecessors. 
• At the same time, members’ shorter average tenures …

Terahertz Electromagnetic Effects And Chirality-Induced Spin Selectivity In Dna, F. Matthew Mihelic Md

Faculty Publications

The effects of terahertz electromagnetic stimulation of the DNA molecule can be understood through modeling of the quantum logical mechanics of the DNA molecule.  Coherent conduction of electron spin states along the aromatic nucleotide base pairs and chirality-induced spin selectivity are two characteristics of the DNA molecule that are involved in the precise separation of the double-stranded DNA molecule at a specific location.  Such modeling can inform predictions of DNA strand separation and has significant implications for understanding DNA transcription bubble formation.

Artificial Intelligence And Law Enforcement: Transforming Current And Future Policing Operations, Decision-Making, And Public Trust, Chad Taylor

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Artificial intelligence is having a major impact on our society. Many of our industries are attempting to grasp the benefits of this technology, and law enforcement is no different. Investigative, efficiency and administrative tools are all utilizing artificial intelligence to some degree. However, new tools bring new concern from communities. This article will investigate how artificial intelligence is being integrated into current and future law enforcement operations and decision-making. It will also investigate how AI affects public trust and what the profession needs to do to build community confidence. Regardless, artificial intelligence is a technology that is here and will …

The Human Side Of Leadership: How Personality Assessments Build Self-Aware, Accountable, And Emotionally Intelligent Public Sector Leaders, Hillary Faulkner

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Public sector organizations face a persistent set of leadership challenges, including miscommunication, inconsistent accountability, and reactive decision-making, that are rarely resolved through technical training alone. This study examines how the intentional use of personality assessments can improve self-awareness, emotional intelligence, accountability, and communication among public sector leaders, and how those improvements contribute to more effective and cohesive leadership teams. Using a qualitative case study design, this research draws on Organization Analysis and Design (OAD) personality assessment data and in-depth interviews with two supervisors at a municipal government organization in Henderson, Texas, who participated in a structured six-month personality-based leadership development …

How Can Electronic Timekeeping Systems Provide Cost And Time Savings Compared To Manual Time Entry And Paper-Based Timesheets?, Jill Childs

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Paper-based timekeeping methods have historically been the default way for both municipalities and businesses to document hours worked by employees. However, due to analog timekeeping’s lack of verification methods, human error and intentional dishonesty combine to make this method unreliable. These discrepancies are also costly, as human resources staff must be compensated for the time it takes to verify entries and correct mistakes, and if unchecked, the falsified time can potentially result in thousands of dollars of unearned wages lost. This article details various methods and motivations for falsification and argues for the implementation of electronic timekeeping systems, such as …

Succession, Sustainability, And Service: Workforce And Leadership Challenges In Rural Municipal Governments, Dewayne Armstrong

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Rural municipal governments across Texas and the United States face a convergence of workforce and leadership challenges that threaten long-term service delivery and organizational sustainability. An aging public-sector workforce, persistent recruitment and retention constraints, and fragile leadership continuity interact in ways that uniquely affect small and rural communities. Public works departments, which play a vital role in infrastructure maintenance and regulatory compliance, are particularly vulnerable as experienced employees approach retirement without adequate succession pipelines or mechanisms for institutional knowledge transfer. At the same time, small-town governments face ongoing difficulty attracting and retaining qualified personnel due to constrained fiscal capacity, geographic …

Clarifying The Concept Of Virtual Nurse: A Concept Analysis For Aging And Chronic Care, Chia-Hui Chou, Heng-Hsin Tung

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

As the global healthcare landscape grapples with aging populations and the growing burden of chronic diseases, digital innovations like the Virtual Nurse (VN)—AI-powered embodied conversational agents—are gaining recognition for their potential to support patient self-management and improve care delivery. This study applies Walker and Avant's 8-step concept analysis to clarify the definition, boundaries, and essential characteristics of the Virtual Nurse. Thirteen peer-reviewed articles published from 2010 to 2021 were reviewed, focusing on their applicability to older adults and chronic disease management. Four defining attributes emerged: (1) clinical interactivity, (2) human-like empathy, (3) accessibility and understandability, and (4) scalability with feedback …

Workforce Solutions For Primary Care Physician Shortages In Veterans Health Administration Outpatient Clinics, Quintin Warner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital system highlights the need for strategies to effectively mitigate this issue. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine the literature on primary care physician shortages in VHA hospital-based outpatient clinics and determine evidence-based solutions. The review question centered on strategies and best practices that can be implemented to address PCP shortages in VHA outpatient clinics. The Donabedian Model provided the framework for analyzing structural factors, processes, and patient outcomes. A comprehensive review of the literature resulted in 40 articles being screened for quality and …

Strategies Human Resource Leaders Use To Implement Holistic Wellness Programs To Reduce Absenteeism And Increase Profitability, Diane Hardy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human resources (HR) leaders struggle to reduce employee absenteeism and increase organizational profitability due to a lack of effective strategies for implementing holistic wellness programs. Identifying effective strategies for implementing holistic wellness programs is essential for helping HR leaders address absenteeism and strengthen organizational profitability. Grounded in the Pender health promotion model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies for implementing holistic wellness programs to reduce employee absenteeism and increase organizational profitability. Participants were nine HR leaders from medium- to large-sized organizations across the United States who implemented holistic wellness programs to reduce …

Implementation Of An Electronic Gad-7 Screening Tool To Improve Anxiety Screening Completion And Documentation, Obiageli L. Ukatu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Quality Improvement Initiative Implementation of an Electronic GAD-7 Screening Tool to Improve Anxiety Screening Completion and Documentation

Probation Officers’ Experiences Supervising Domestic And Intimate Partner Violent Probationers, Megan Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study includes insights regarding potential supervision challenges that are faced by probation officers overseeing domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) probationers, emphasizing the importance of effective management to enhance offender accountability and victim safety. The relationship dynamic between probation officers and domestic and IPV probationers influences recidivism rates, highlighting the importance of effective and empathetic supervision. The purpose of this study was to identify gaps in training, supervision strategies, and resources, with a focus on integrating attachment-based practices to improve outcomes. Guided by the attachment theory, the research included key questions about supervision effectiveness and relational dynamics. Employing a …

Lived Experience Of Secondary School Teachers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Diane R. Lovett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of secondary school teachers' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly focusing on their challenges during the transition back to in-person instruction after teaching online. The purpose of this phenomenological study explored the experiences of U.S. secondary teachers during the onset of COVID-19, the shift to virtual teaching, and the return to in-person instruction. The study was grounded in Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, specifically the concept of observational learning and self-efficacy, to understand how teachers learned from peer successes and challenges during the transition to virtual learning and when returning to …

Executive Summary On Prolonged Emergency Department Waiting Period, Peace Adaugo Ezirim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emergency departments (EDs) are essential access points to healthcare for patients with urgent and emergent conditions. Yet, many EDs face persistent challenges, including overcrowding, prolonged wait times, and delays in care. These challenges can significantly affect patient safety, quality of care, and overall healthcare outcomes. Patients presenting with symptoms, such as cardiac, pulmonary, or abdominal discomfort, may initially appear clinically stable, but their conditions can deteriorate rapidly while awaiting evaluation by a provider. Without structured reassessment processes and efficient communication systems, early warning signs of clinical decline may be missed. ED crowding has become a widespread operational and patient safety …

Staff Education On Evidence-Based Weight Management Strategies For Adults With Mental Health Disorders And Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Abimbola Oluwafunmilayo Somoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The type of project is a staff education project, specifically on evidence-based weight loss strategies that the facility can use to manage adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and co-morbid mental health disorder(s). The evidence-based practice (EBP) question is: Does educating staff on weight loss strategies for T2DM with mental health disorder(s) improve staff knowledge and confidence within one month of staff education program implementation? The facility’s staff managed these patients using standardized diabetes management practices and have no formal staff education program that focuses on evidence-based weight loss strategies for this population. The staff has a vast …

The Impact Of Sexual Harassment Policy Strictness And Supervisory Support On Reporting Behavior In Local, County, And State Female Law Enforcement Officers In Northeastern Kansas, Cleora Maxine Tousey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study examined the impact of stricter sexual harassment policies with protections against retaliation and stronger supervisory support on the likelihood that female law enforcement officers would report incidents of sexual harassment by male colleagues. The problem addressed was the underreporting of sexual harassment in policing, a critical issue given the negative impact on victims and workplace culture. Connell’s theory of masculinity served as the theoretical framework, indicating how traditional power dynamics may negatively influence the likelihood of reporting. Using a correlational design, this study surveyed municipal, county, and state female officers in Northeastern Kansas to measure their perceptions …

Staff Education To Increase Knowledge And Shape Attitudes Among Staff To Improve Control Of Hypertension In Primary Care, Doris Marie Mosby-Peterson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was an evidence-based staff education intervention designed to improve healthcare team knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices related to the management of uncontrolled hypertension within a federally qualified health center (FQHC). The practice problem addressed was the persistent challenge of uncontrolled hypertension among patients receiving primary care services, which contributes to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and preventable health disparities. Thus, the practice-focused question that guided the project asked whether a multidisciplinary staff education program at a rural FQHC improve healthcare staff’s knowledge, skills, attitudes, and workflow related to the management of uncontrolled hypertension? Findings demonstrated statistically …

The Relative Strength Of Justice-Related Satisfaction, Posttraumatic Maladaptive Beliefs, And Self-Compassion In Predicting Perceived Control Over Stressful Events, Katherine Mooney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Coercive control and domestic violence perpetrated by men against women are global social problems sustained by patriarchal norms that normalize gender-based violence. These norms often contribute to victims' maladaptive self-beliefs, leading women to believe they provoked the abuse. When survivors seek legal protection, they may experience revictimization through legal processes that minimize their claims and enable perpetrators to continue exerting power and control through the justice system. As a result, dissatisfaction with the legal system may reinforce self-blame, while low self-compassion may further undermine women's perceived control over stressful events in both the short and long term. While previous research …

Experiences With Microaggression Of African American Female Faculty Who Work In Predominantly White Institutions, Teffany Jonte Malone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study is the gap in the literature on the experiences of African American female faculty in higher education institutions with racial microaggressions while working in predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Grounded in Delgado and Stefancic’s critical race theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore African American female faculty’s experiences with racial microaggressions and recommended support their institutions can put in place at PWIs in California. For this basic qualitative design, data were collected through semistructured interviews with 15 African American female faculty members employed at PWIs in California. Through qualitative content analysis, …

Effective Leadership Strategies For Sustaining Radiology Departments During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tameron Shanay Reed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pandemic-driven workforce challenges highlighted the urgent need for radiology leaders to retain skilled staff and sustain service delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic raised considerable concerns for radiology leaders regarding future preparedness for patient safety, care outcomes, hospital expenses, and hospital profitability. Grounded in the Vroom expectancy theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore successful strategies radiology department leaders used to retain employees, improve supply inventory management, and develop ambulatory and virtual services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews with six successful radiology leaders and publicly accessible documents in northern Louisiana. The …

A Proposal For An Evidence-Based Program For Communication Continuity, Yavonne G. Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) executive leadership project is a practice-focused quality improvement initiative to reduce avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions in a skilled nursing facility by implementing the INTERACT communication tools, SBAR and STOP & WATCH. The practice problem is the lack of a standardized communication process for recognizing changes in resident conditions, contributing to preventable hospitalizations. The project's purpose was to develop an evidence-based communication process that promotes early recognition and timely provider intervention. The practice-focused question asked whether implementing INTERACT communication tools would improve communication and reduce avoidable acute care transfers. A focused literature search was conducted. …

Improving Chronic Disease Monitoring In Patients With Diabetes And Hypertension Through Guideline-Adherent Care, Olukemi Ogunmakinwa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence-based chronic disease monitoring is essential for improving outcomes among adults with diabetes and hypertension; however, inconsistent application of clinical practice guidelines may result from gaps in healthcare providers' knowledge, confidence, and competency. Staff education is an effective strategy for strengthening evidence-based practice and promoting consistent guideline implementation. Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a structured educational program to improve healthcare providers' understanding, knowledge, confidence, self-efficacy, and competency in applying evidence-based chronic disease monitoring guidelines in a primary care clinic. Methods: The educational intervention was developed using …

How Texas Early Childhood Teachers Collaborate To Support Students With Disabilities, Anna Weathers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was it was not known how Texas early childhood special education (EGSE) teachers and early childhood general education (ECGE) teachers use collaboration to identify, place, and support students with disabilities (SWDs). Framed by Colby’s collaboration theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Texas ECSE and ECGE teachers when collaborating regarding identification, placement, and support for SWDs. Data were collected in semstructured interviews with 11 ECSE and 11 ECGE teachers who taught in Texas early childhood settings. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with open coding, leading to …

Higher Education Instructors’ Perspectives On The Challenges Of Implementing Competency-Based Learning In Coursework, Sammie Leo Davis Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Higher education instructors face challenges in implementing competency-based learning (CBL) in their coursework. Grounded in Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of higher education instructors on the challenges and their needs to implement CBL in coursework. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 higher education instructors who had at least 2 years of experience teaching CBL courses. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and inductive coding to identify codes and categories, with the following five themes emerging: CBL implementation depends on (a) aligned assessment, curriculum …

Medical Tourism Patient Guidance: A Content Analysis Of Risk Reduction Guidelines Available To Global Health Seekers., Alicia Mason, Angela Ashmore

Faculty Submissions

This study examines medical tourism (MT) patient guidance messages intended to reduce procedural risks—those directly related to biomedical treatments—and process risks, which involve logistical, administrative, and interpersonal challenges of seeking healthcare abroad. The analysis focuses on print and digital publications authored by individuals independent of the MT industry, including policy researchers, travel health experts, lifestyle reporters, and consumer-focused medical travel writers. Using a two-phase digital and database search strategy, 27 publications from 2009 to 2024 were identified and analyzed using exploratory content analysis methods. Findings reveal important differences in the scope and depth of guidance aimed at reducing risks for …

Sidama Women's Perceptions Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting And Marital Fidelity, Mekonnen Doyamo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) affects women from the Sidama region of Ethiopia differently from women in other parts of Ethiopia, which results in different physical and psychological consequences. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore why the Sidama people’s FGM/C custom differs from that of other parts of Ethiopia. A case study methodology was used to answer the following research question: How does the practice of FGM/C among the Sidama people in Ethiopia differ from that in other regions regarding its cultural significance and rituals? Moreover, how do community attitudes and beliefs surrounding FGM/C among the Sidama …

Implementation Of A Fall-Prevention Clinical Practice Guideline In A Neurological Rehabilitation Center, Ron L. Adolph

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This executive summary presents the final plan for implementation of an evidence-based fall-prevention clinical practice guideline on an open neurological rehabilitation unit. It does not propose a new device, a new electronic platform, or a separate education-only initiative. The practice change is the implementation and evaluation of a structured interdisciplinary clinical practice guideline designed to reduce inpatient falls and improve the reliability of daily prevention practices. The unit reports a baseline fall rate of 6.3 falls per 1,000 patient days. Thirty-five staff members from nursing, therapy, and support roles completed the survey, and 57% reported that patients had experienced falls …