Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Pandemic Driven Mobility In Higher Education: The Good, The Bad And The Useful, Orly Calderon, Susan Penque, David Luhr, Caryn Nahum, Lauren Scardigno

Nursing Faculty Publications

The purpose of this mixed method research study is to describe the experiences of faculty and students in post-secondary education institutions as they shifted to remote education at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand these experiences in the context of previous research about pre-pandemic remote or mobile education. One hundred and two participants in the study include full-time and adjunct faculty, undergraduate and graduate students. A convergent mixed method survey queried about participants’ demographics, mobility experiences in terms of frequency of access to technology and a suitable learning/teaching environment and usefulness of various web and video conferencing …

Establishing The Content Validity Of A Student Pharmacist Patient Counseling Competency Assessment In Oncology, Matthew Newman, Emily Pherson, Bradley Burton, Eric C. Nemec

Physician Assistant Studies Faculty Publications

Objective. The main goal of this project was to establish content validity and describe internal consistency of a patient counseling competency assessment instrument used to evaluate student pharmacists practicing in an oncology setting. Methods A modified e-Delphi panel of oncology clinical pharmacy specialists, clinical pharmacy generalists, and oncology pharmacy residents was employed. Iterative rounds of the e-Delphi process were conducted until consensus was reached on a majority of the instrument items. Consensus was defined as agreement by at least 75% of participants that an item was, or was not important. Internal consistency of defined sections of the instrument was determined …

No Pass Zone: A Quality Improvement Project, Casey St. John

DNP Projects

Introduction: Patient call-bell lights are a means for communication from a hospitalized patient's room to staff members. This DNP project involves staff and patients on a 28-bed pediatric medical-surgical unit. The aim was to implement a No pass Zone for patient call bell lights. Additionally, this project served to aid in increasing staff responsiveness to answer patients' questions and concerns.

Methods: Staff completed a Cornerstone education on the No Pass Zone. Data was collected from pre/post-implementation staff surveys and pre/post-implementation Press Ganey scores. Weekly staff audits on direct observation of staff response to patients' call-bell lights.

Results: A total of …

Occupational Therapy Newsletter, Spring 2022, Occupational Therapy Department

News, Magazines and Reports

Letter from Department Chair and Program Director, Sharon McCloskey -- This academic year includes the 20th cohort attending -- The OT program remains fully accredited -- Letter from the newsletter editor, Carissa Scheier -- Dr. Jody Bortone, founding chair retires after 22 years -- Emma Bass receives Christine E. Bushar Award -- Dr. Jaimee Hegge receives the CHP Alumni Leadership Award -- Dr. Lola Halperin facilitates trainings on the use of play to foster development among children exposed to adversity -- Dr. Halperin also provided an online workshop Understanding Schizophrenia and Occupational Therapy for Individuals Affected by It, for the …

Post Masters Doctor Of Nursing Practice Online Program Nursing Student Guide, 2022-2023 Edition, Dr. Susan L. Davis, Rn & Richard J. Henley College Of Nursing

News, Magazines and Reports

The Nursing Student Guide is the official student handbook and provides essential DHCON policies and procedures for academic progression and graduation. This guide is intended to supplement the University Catalog and provide information specific to the nursing programs.

Bachelor Of Science In Nursing First Professional Degree & Second Degree Accelerated Student Guide, 2022-2023 Edition, Dr. Susan L. Davis, Rn & Richard J. Henley College Of Nursing

News, Magazines and Reports

The Nursing Student Guide is the official student handbook and provides essential DHCON policies and procedures for academic progression and graduation. This guide is intended to supplement the University Catalog and provide information specific to the nursing programs.

Initial Steps For Integrating Academic Electronic Health Records Into Clinical Curricula Of Physical And Occupational Therapy In The United States: A Survey-Based Observational Study, Stephen C. Burrows, Lola Halperin, Eric C. Nemec, Wendy Romney

Healthcare Informatics Faculty Publications

Training programs must be designed to prepare physical and occupational therapy students for using Electronic Health Records (EHR) and interprofessional collaboration. This report aims to describe physical and occupational therapy students' perceptions of integrating Academic EHR in their Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curricula in the College of Health Professions, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, the United States. A paper-based case approach to PBL was adapted by creating patient cases in an Academic EHR (AEHR). Students were asked to complete chart reviews and review provider notes to enhance their learning. An online survey was conducted to determine their perceptions of using AEHR …

Doctoral Physical Therapy Students' Increased Confidence Following Exploration Of Active Video Gaming Systems In A Problem-Based Learning Curriculum In The United States: A Pre-And Post-Intervention Study, Michelle E. Wormley, Wendy Romney, Diana Veneri, Andrea Oberlander

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Purpose: Active video gaming (AVG) is used in physical therapy (PT) to treat individuals with a variety of diagnoses across the lifespan. The literature supports improvements in balance, cardiovascular endurance, and motor control; however, evidence is lacking regarding the implementation of AVG in PT education. This study investigated doctoral physical therapy (DPT) students' confidence following active exploration of AVG systems as a PT intervention in the United States.

Methods: This pretest-posttest study included 60 DPT students in 2017 (Cohort 1) and 55 students in 2018 (Cohort 2) enrolled in a problem-based learning curriculum. AVG systems were embedded into patient cases …

How The Practice/Academic Partnership Model Helped One State During Covid-19, Mary E. Dietmann, Audrey M. Beauvais, Beth P. Beckman, Marianne Snyder, Cheryl-Ann Resha, Lisa Rebeschi, Pamela Forte

Nursing Faculty Publications

During the spring and summer of 2020, boards of nursing (BONs) throughout the U.S. were faced with requests from educational programs for ways to replace clinical hours due to the inability to access clinical sites caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While many clinical sites have since reopened to nursing students, some barriers still remain, resulting in a backlog of clinical hours for many nursing students throughout the state of Connecticut. Reflecting on lessons learned over the past year, collaboration between the BON and nursing leaders throughout the state has proved essential to providing the practice hours and clinical learning experiences …

Shu Scripts: Stories From The Heart Of Nursing, Summer 2021, Karen Bauce Ed.

News, Magazines and Reports

Farewell from Dean Mary Alice Donius.

Implementation And Sustainment Strategies For Open Visitation In The Intensive Care Unit: A Multicentre Qualitative Study, Kerry A. Milner, Suzanne Marmo, Susan A. Goncalves

Nursing Faculty Publications

Objective

Open visitation in adult intensive care units has been associated with improved family and patient outcomes. However, worldwide adoption of this practice has been slow and reasons for this are unclear. This study documents barriers and strategies for implementing and sustaining open visitation in adult intensive care units in the United States experienced by nursing leadership.

Research design

Qualitative approach using grounded theory.

Participants

Nurse leaders in adult intensive care units with open visitation.

Setting

Magnet® or Pathway to Excellence® designated hospitals in the United States.

Methods

Semi structured interviews were conducted with 19 nurse leaders from 15 geographically …

Employability Of The Doctor Of Athletic Training Degree Within Academe, Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Stephanie H. Clines, Tyler Reems, Lindsey E. Eberman, Dorice Ann Hankemeier, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Athletic Training Faculty Publications

Context: The Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree has recently been introduced into academe. Limited literature exists regarding how individuals with this degree can be utilized as athletic training faculty.

Objective: To identify department chairs' perceptions of the DAT degree and determine whether they view the degree as viable when hiring new faculty within a post-baccalaureate professional AT program.

Design: Cross-sectional survey design

Setting: Online survey instrument

Patients or Other Participants: 376 department chairs who had oversight of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education athletic training programs were invited to participate. 190 individuals (50.5%) accessed the survey and 151 …

Sacred Heart University Public Health Program Self-Study, Public Health, College Of Health Professions

News, Magazines and Reports

From the Introduction:

The public health program began in the fall, 2018. The public health program has only one degree offered, a master’s of public health (MPH) degree with a concentration in community health. The program was developed in response to an observed need. Specifically, Sacred Heart undergraduate students in both the Health Science and Exercise Science undergraduate programs were asking for an MPH program that they could matriculate into after graduating from their undergraduate studies. The current MPH program director, Dr. Anna Greer, was already working at SHU as a behavioral scientist within SHU’s Exercise Science program. Dr. Greer …

Educating Nursing Students Through The Pandemic: The Essentials Of Collaboration, Audrey M. Beauvais, Meredith Kazer, Lisa M. Rebeschi, Rosemarie Baker, Jeanette H. Lupinacci

St. Vincent’s College Faculty publications

Introduction: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting regulatory educational requirements and graduating students competent for nursing practice was essential. Competent graduates were needed to support a strong nursing workforce in Connecticut during this chaotic time in health care. This paper describes the powerful impact of statewide collaboration toward meeting this goal.

Methods: The Connecticut League for Nursing Council of Deans and Directors (Council) organized six work groups to address the practice issues brought about by COVID-19 to continue educating nursing students and ensure a robust nursing workforce for the state. Volunteers from the Council offered to lead the groups and members …

Interweaving Teaching Strategies In Interprofessional Education: A Pilot Study With Graduate Occupational Therapy And Physician Assistant Students, Eric C. Nemec, Lola Halperin, Jaimee Betts Hegge

Physician Assistant Studies Faculty Publications

The importance of interprofessional education (IPE) has been emphasized by the World Health Organization and is currently required by both the occupational therapy (OT) and physician assistant (PA) education accreditation agencies in the United States. Moreover, a growing body of evidence suggests that IPE fosters learners’ understanding of the roles different disciplines play in healthcare delivery and prepares future health professionals for patient-centered care. Authors designed and implemented an IPE event aimed to foster the following core Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies among graduate OT and PA students: Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication, and Teams and …

Shu Scripts: Stories From The Heart Of Nursing, 2020, Karen Bauce Ed.

News, Magazines and Reports

Welcome to the inaugural issue.

St. Vincent’S College, Sacred Heart University Student Guide 2020-2021 Edition, Sacred Heart University

Handbooks & Factbooks

The Student Guide is the official student handbook and provides essential St. Vincent’s College policies and procedures for academic progression and graduation. This guide is intended to supplement the University Catalog and provide information specific to our programs. All students are expected to review and abide by the current Student Guide.

Impact Of Evidence-Based Educational Guidelines To Increase Nurse Educator’S Physical Activity At Work And Home, Carol M. Patton

Nursing Faculty Publications

Evidence-based practice peer-reviewed poster presented at Sigma's 30th International Nursing Research Congress, 25-29 July 2019, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

A Partnership Between Nursing Faculty, Students, And Urban Community Centers To Provide Vision Screenings For Low-Income Immigrant Women: An Experiential Case Study, Rose C. O'Halloran, Kerry A. Milner, Kim Foito

Sacred Heart University Scholar

Given the current health care climate, it is critical for nurse educators to provide learning opportunities for students to collaborate with leaders in the community to provide much-needed services to vulnerable populations. We developed, implemented, and evaluated a process for vision screenings and referrals to a local eye center for low-income, immigrant women over three years in an urban setting in the United States. This is a report on the program, including the challenges faced by the faculty and lessons learned by the nursing students.

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Physical Activity And Dietary Program In Federal Incarcerated Females, Rosemary A. Johnson, Kerry A. Milner, Christine Heng, Anna E. Greer, Susan M. Denisco

Nursing Faculty Publications

The purpose of this 3-month quasi-experimental pilot study was to examine the effect of a physical activity and dietary education program on body mass index (BMI) and resilience. Participants were given data-storing pedometers to record their physical activity, attended classes on healthy eating, and used portion control tools from http://ChooseMyPlate.gov . MyPlate usage and commissary purchases were collected weekly. BMI and resilience scores were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Twenty-nine female prisoners completed the study. There was a statistically significant reduction in BMI after 12 weeks (χ2 = 7.56, p = .023) and resilience levels increased but …

Health Professions Faculty Beliefs, Confidence, Use, And Perceptions Of Organizational Culture And Readiness For Ebp: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Survey, Kerry A. Milner, Holly B. Bradley, Tammy M. Lampley

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an essential skill and ethical obligation for all practicing health professions clinicians because of its strong association with improved health outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that faculty who prepare these clinicians lack proficiency to teach EBP.

Using Simulated Family Presence To Decrease Agitation In Older Hospitalized Delirious Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Christine M. Waszynski, Kerry A. Milner, Ilene Staff, Sheila L. Molony

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Simulated family presence has been shown to be an effective nonpharmacological intervention to reduce agitation in persons with dementia in nursing homes. Hyperactive or mixed delirium is a common and serious complication experienced by hospitalized patients, a key feature of which is agitation. Effective nonpharmacological interventions to manage delirium are needed.

Objectives: To examine the effect of simulated family presence through pre-recorded video messages on the agitation level of hospitalized, delirious, acutely agitated patients.

Design: Single site randomized control trial, 3 groups x 4 time points mixed factorial design conducted from July 2015 to March 2016.

Setting: Acute care …

Personality Oriented Job Analysis To Identify Non-Cognitive Factors For A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program In The United States, Maureen A. Conard, Kristin Schweizer

Psychology Faculty Publications

It aimed to conduct a personality oriented job analysis to identify non-cognitive factors that may predict successful performance or performance difficulties in doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) students. The study employed focus groups and a survey with 9 DPT subject matter experts. Focus group participants including 3 DPT faculty members and 4 recent graduates of the DPT program identified 22 non-cognitive factors. Out of them, 15 factors were possibly associated with successful performance and 7 factors were possibly associated with performance difficulties. The questionnaire employing the Combination Job Analysis Method resulted in 12 factors which could be used in selection, …

Shared Decision Making And Decision Aids: An Important Part Of Evidence-Based Practice, Kerry A. Milner, Marie O'Connor

Nursing Faculty Publications

Requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes for incorporating patient and family values and goals into clinical decision making is an essential part of the evidence-based practice (EBP) process that needs more attention in nursing education. Use of shared decision making (SDM) and decision aids (DAs) by clinicians in practice is limited (Couët et al., 2015). Little or no SDM content in graduate nursing programs may, in part, explain the gap. Therefore, the authors of the current article created a learning activity on SDM and DAs to address this gap.

Delirium Prevention, Identification And Management In The Oncology Setting: A Unique Partnership With Patients And Their Family Caregivers, Mary Kate Eannielo, Christine M. Waszynski, Kerry A. Milner

Nursing Faculty Publications

Significance & Background: Delirium affects a significant number of hospitalized adults each year resulting in negative patient outcomes and family caregiver distress. Clinical identification of delirium by nurses and use of family caregivers as part of a multicomponent delirium prevention strategy are not consistently implemented in the practice setting despite being best practice.Purpose: An interdisciplinary team in this 800 bed level one trauma center has been created to create and implement this best practice delirium protocol. The purpose of this initiative was to incorporate the family caregiver into this existing multicomponent delirium prevention, detection and management protocol. Interventions: Consistent implementation …

Professional Nursing Value Development In Nursing Students Who Participate In International Service Learning, Heather Ferrillo

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: International Service Learning (ISL) is becoming widely used in nursing education as a means to provide global learning opportunities. Concrete outcomes for these experiences have not been clearly supported in previous research. Determining if ISL experience facilitate the development of Professional Nursing Values (PNV) can support the use of ISL as a viable pedagogy. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine if there were a difference in PNV development in students who participate in ISL as part of their clinical experiences compared to those who do not. The hypothesis was that there was a difference in the …

Empowerment Of Home Health Care Case Managers, Linda B. Melodia, Barbara Penprase, Linda L. Strong

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Job satisfaction and feelings of empowerment positively impact home health care nurses by improving patient safety and patient outcomes. The project objective determined whether an empowerment educational module improved the feelings of empowerment and job satisfaction of registered nurses at a home health care agency. Methods: A quantitative, pre-test/post-test research study was conducted to measure the success of an empowerment educational module. Laschinger’s (2008) Nursing Worklife questionnaire was administered to 92 participating nurses, 46 were assigned to an experimental group and 46 were assigned to a control group. Participants in the experimental group were queried about their perceptions towards …

Development Of The Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Questionnaire In The United States, Michelle E. Wormley, Wendy Romney, Anna E. Greer

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to develop a single valid measure for assessing clinical teaching effectiveness within the field of physical therapy. Pilot testing with CIs from both universities were purposively sampled to complete the questionnaire. The CI databases yielded 1,001 potential respondents, recruited via e-mail. The questionnaire and two follow-up reminders were sent. Respondents consented by clicking a link which redirected them to the SurveyMonkey® questionnaire. Two hundred five CIs completed the questionnaire, a 20.5% response rate. The 205 respondents were mostly female (68.4%) with an average age of 40.54 years (SD=10.22). CI experience was distributed as follows: …

Nursing Faculty Reports Of Their Intention To Design Instruction To Support Student Learning In Community College Classrooms, Ann-Marie Evans

Nursing Faculty Publications

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to describe community college nursing faculty members' reports of their intention to design instruction to support learning for a broad range of students in their classrooms. Specifically, Ajzen's (1985) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was the conceptual framework used to analyze nursing faculty members' reports of their attitudes, normative beliefs, and control beliefs related to the three Universal Design for Learning (CAST, 2011) principles. Ajzen theorized that individuals base their behaviors on intention and intentions are based on the individuals' attitudes toward the behavior, their perceptions of how others wanted them to …

College Of Health Professions News, Spring 2015, College Of Health Professions

College of Health Professions Newsletters & Magazines

Spring 2015 newsletter from the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University.