Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

January 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the January 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Exploring Lgbtq+ Competency In Healthcare, Jordan Whiteman

Honors College Theses

Marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community are known to face healthcare disparities that negatively affect their process of navigating healthcare systems. This project explores the perceived lack of representation and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community within healthcare settings, exposing the deficits in knowledge for unique challenges and inequalities these patients may face. By viewing the literature, a myriad of complications faced by LGBTQ+ people in clinical settings can be identified. They possess a generalized feeling of mistrust towards the healthcare system. Healthcare staff overall describe low confidence with caring for this demographic. Heteronormativity’s presence in the field of healthcare …

Educational Interventions To Improve Pediatric Emergency Care: A Qualitative Assessment Of The Perspectives Of African Healthcare Workers, Emily A. Hartford, Chris A. Rees, Isaac Kihurani, Raana Hussain, Elena Seifert, Alexis Schmid, Tigist Bacha, Carol C. Chen, Megan L. Schultz

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Pediatric emergency care (PEC) training for health care workers (HCWs) is commonly offered in the form of short courses. This study gathers the perspectives of HCWs from eight African countries on how to best deliver and implement short training courses in PEC. This is a qualitative study using semi-structured key informant (KI) interviews. Utilizing the African Federation for Emergency Medicine (AFEM) member list serve, we identified African HCWs who had previous experience participating in and/or delivering short training courses in PEC. From this cohort, four interviewers were selected. These interviewers all received training in qualitative interviewing and then each recruited …

The Potential Of Bioactive Foods In Chemotherapy-Induced Gastrointestinal Distress, Haizhu Patterson

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Cancer continues to have a profoundly detrimental impact on global health, and chemotherapy is widely accepted and utilized as one of the most effective cancer treatments. Unfortunately, the downside of chemotherapy is its significant adverse effects, which often manifest as gastrointestinal (GI) distress, leading the patient to discontinue treatment. Recent research has increasingly focused on bioactive foods as a means to mitigate chemotherapy-induced GI distress. By identifying which bioactive foods can alleviate these distresses, nurses can offer valuable recommendations to cancer patients to help them reduce chemotherapy's adverse effects, enhancing their quality of life (QoL) and improving treatment adherence. …

Awareness Of The Physiological Changes Occurring In Older Adults Can Reduce Dehydration And Electrolyte Imbalances, Lisa Isley

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Individuals over 65 years are at an increased risk of dehydration. The physiological changes that occur with age and medication consumption can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances that can physically and mentally impair individuals over 65 years old. Objective: By providing education to individuals 65 years and older regarding the significance of drinking water and consuming electrolytes daily, older adults can reduce their dehydration symptoms and improve their quality of life. Method: The proposed research is a quasi-experimental study geared towards individuals 65 years and older. The quasi-experimental study will include two pre-surveys and then two post-surveys. The survey …

Developing A Culturally Sensitive Nursing Framework For Muslim Patients Practicing Ramadan: Focusing On Fasting Benefits And Islamic Dietary Recommendations, Amreen Mahmood Munshi

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Muslims practice Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting from dawn to dusk, yet many healthcare providers lack knowledge of its principles and practices. Hospitals lack formal education on caring for fasting Muslim patients, leading to a knowledge deficit in cultural competence and sensitivity of Islamic practices. Purpose: This paper proposes a research design for a nurse education program on Ramadan fasting to promote cultural competence and sensitivity in nursing care. The proposed research aims to educate nurses on Islamic practices, particularly Ramadan, to bridge the cultural competency gap. The literature review also explores the health benefits of …

Exploring Dominican University Nursing Student’S Perceptions Of Economic Barriers To Accessing Essential Women’S Health Products, Annabelle E. Burke

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Access to essential feminine hygiene products, including menstrual supplies and hygiene items, is a growing economic and public health issue. Rising product prices and reliance on costly disposable products contribute to financial strain for many women. Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities due to financial constraints, and it negatively affects women’s physical and mental health, particularly among students and low-income populations. Research shows that limited access to menstrual products affects dignity, sanitation, and emotional well-being and is compounded by social stigma and cultural silence surrounding menstruation (Brinkley & Niebuhr, 2023). Findings from …

The Role Of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners: Addressing The Shortage And Its Implications For Healthcare, Isabel Mary Mccarthy

Nursing | Student Research Posters

The increasing prevalence of sexual assault cases has highlighted the crucial need for trained healthcare professionals who can effectively provide sensitive care for survivors. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are registered nurses specifically trained to perform forensic examinations and provide medical and emotional support to sexual assault victims. However, many nursing programs lack formal education on SANE practices, which can hinder students' preparedness to address such cases in their future careers. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training module integrated into an undergraduate nursing curriculum at Dominican University of California. By …

The Effects Of Medical Misinformation About Vaccines On Parents Of Pediatric Patients, Mya Izabela B. Emelia

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

Dean's Report- Winter-Spring 2025, Marina K. Holz

GSBMS Dean’s Report

No abstract provided.

Using Virtual Reality To Assist Students At Academic Risk In Human Anatomy, Michael Foley, Lauren T. Lilley, Lindsay Meyers, Robert Armstrong, Lisa Fore-Arcand, Kelly Mccoy, Chad Eitel, Tod R. Clapp, Natascha Heise

Department of Pathology & Anatomy Faculty Publications

Learning human anatomy presents a significant challenge for health profession students due to the difficulty in visualizing structures in three dimensions. Virtual reality (VR) has been reported to aid in understanding these relationships. In this study, students at academic risk attended VR sessions alongside their gross anatomy course. Data from post-surveys, observations, and examinations indicated VR participants performed similarly to peers, except in head/neck and pelvis/lower limb exams where performance was lower. Students valued VR for enhancing confidence and understanding. VR shows promise in supplementing anatomy education, particularly for less complex regions, and bridging gaps in traditional learning methods.

Improving Glucose Levels In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Kaitlin Castillo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Type 2 diabetes is a growing health crisis, posing significant challenges not only to individual well-being but also to healthcare systems' financial sustainability. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise annually, contributing to increased medical costs, hospitalizations, and long-term complications. Houston, Texas, has a diabetes prevalence of 13.5%, exceeding the national average of 10%. A clinical gap exists in providers’ ability to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. Prioritizing prevention, early intervention, and improved patient monitoring can reduce incidence rates, lower healthcare costs, and enhance overall population health. A Plan Do Study Act model was utilized for the …

Bundled Approach To Improve Colorectal Cancer In Primary Care, Elizabeth Reddiar

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, despite being preventable through timely screening. National guidelines recommend regular screening for adults aged 45 to 75; (American cancer Society (ACS), 2025) however, screening rates remain suboptimal, particularly in primary care settings serving diverse and high-volume populations. Local Problem: At the project site, a community-oriented primary care clinic in North Texas, baseline data revealed CRC screening completion rates were below benchmarks set by the organization. Barriers included limited patient awareness, inconsistent provider reminders, and workflow challenges in distributing and tracking fecal immunochemical test …

“What We Say Matters”: Reducing Drug Use Stigmatization By Healthcare Professionals Through A Narrative-Based Awareness Campaign, Adam M. Traugott

DNP Projects

Background: Stigma towards substance use has been identified as a contributor to poor care and health outcomes amongst people who use drugs (PWUD), a vulnerable population. Healthcare worker stigma negatively affects the outcomes of individual patients and may have greater public health implications. Methods of addressing drug-use stigma have previously been implemented in a variety of clinical settings. Presenting the lived experience of PWUD to healthcare workers via emotionally compelling narratives has been found to be an effective means of stigma reduction.

Purpose: This study utilized two psychometrically validated tools to measure (1) the baseline prevalence of drug use stigma …

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Friend Or Foe, Antonio Cordova, Jesse Powell, Whitney Elg-Salsman, Caroline Mcculley

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: • Many cancers use mechanisms to escape killing by the immunesystem. • Cancer cells can mimicimmune checkpoint proteins such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) ligand and the programmed death1 receptor ligand (PD-L1) toinhibit the T-cell response. • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI's) are a novel set of monoclonalantibody cancer therapies. • ICI'sblockcheckpoint proteins from binding with their partner proteins oncancer cells thus allowing T-cells to kill tumor cells. • ICIs have promising anti-cancer results. • ICIs are also associated with immune related adverse events(irAEs), including dermatitis, pneumonitis, colitis,hepatitis, nephritis. • A rare but seriousirAEisICI-associated myositis causing bulbar and …

Writing And Publishing Scientific Articles: Course Workbook, Editing Services, Research Medical Library (Formerly Scientific Publications)

Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles: Course Workbook

No abstract provided.

Increasing Serious Illness Conversations In Patients At High Risk Of One-Year Mortality Using Improvement Science: A Quality Improvement Study, Kanishk D. Sharma, Sandip A. Godambe, Prachi P. Chavan, Agatha Parks-Savage, Marissa Galicia-Castillo

Department of Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Serious illness conversation (SIC) in an important skillset for clinicians. A review of mortality meetings from an urban academic hospital highlighted the need for early engagement in SICs and advance care planning (ACP) to align medical treatments with patient-centered outcomes. The aim of this study was to increase SICs and their documentation in patients with low one-year survival probability identified by updated Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores. Methods: This was a quality improvement study with data collected pre- and post-intervention at a large urban level one trauma center in Virginia, which also serves as a primary teaching hospital to …

Enhancing Patient Safety Through Simulated Safety Event Analysis (Ssea) In Graduate Medical Education, Mustafa Tahir, Anthony Furiato, Salman Muddassir, Olu Oyesanmi

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Pre And Post-Distribution Outcomes Of The Intern Guidebook, Joyce Smith, Sam Mellits

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

How Do Patient-Provider Relationships Affect Patient Satisfaction?, Rose D. Lightspeed

Anthós

This article reviews studies on patient satisfaction within the U.S. healthcare system to investigate how physicians’ behavior influences patients’ reported quality of care. Medical negligence, neglect, and cognitive biases are identified from the reviewed literature as physician behaviors that affect the patient-provider relationship and patient satisfaction. Emphasizing patient satisfaction and involvement in their care as important considerations when evaluating patient-provider relationships, Lightspeed underscores how the complex dynamic between patient and provider–including physicians’ reported feeling of inadequate interpersonal skills and patients’ sensitivity to dismissive communication–contributes to reduced satisfaction rates. Lightspeed argues that increasing physician awareness of these factors that influence patient …

Bridging University And Hospital Libraries: Evidence-Based Strategies For Developing A New Medical School Library, Dana Thimons, Nancy Hampton, Kelly Fogarty

Faculty and Staff Publications

This poster, presented at the Medical Library Association (MLA) Annual Meeting, describes how Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health partnered to establish a new medical school, requiring library leaders to address LCME Standard 5.8 (Library Resources/Staff) within the data collection instrument and self-study for preliminary accreditation. A cross-institutional workgroup undertook a multi-method approach to building an evidence-based case for library planning, including a literature review, comparator institution database analysis, mapping of needs to LCME Standards, informal stakeholder interviews, consultation of AAHSL statistics and Doody's resources, evaluation of current holdings, and price estimation for needed resources. Key challenges included communicating …

Effects Of Active Learning In An Undergraduate Physiology Class Using Hands-On And Simulation Labs, Ainsley C. Frayer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Increasing student engagement has shown positive effects on students and can be achieved by incorporating active learning strategies in the lab. Currently, the undergraduate human physiology lab at Missouri State University utilizes simulations to practice physiological concepts. The proposed project aims to evaluate if incorporating hands-on labs would improve student learning and/or their engagement. The hypothesis is engagement will be increased in hands-on labs, but grades will not differ significantly, based on previous literature. Three simulations were replaced with hands-on lab software to evaluate engagement and learning. Student engagement was assessed using a voluntary, anonymous survey. Exam average scores were …

Athletic Training Students' Use Of Health Information Technology Professional Behaviors During Clinical Experiences: A Report From The Aate Research Network, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Julie M. Cavallario, Stacy E. Walker, R. Curtis Bay, Bonnie L. Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context:

As an essential core competency for high-quality healthcare, health information technology (HIT) leverages the use of technology, such as electronic record systems, to collect and use patient care information to make informed clinical decisions. There is a dearth of information regarding professional athletic training students' (ATSs') use of HIT professional behaviors during clinical experiences.

Objective:

To assess HIT professional behaviors ATSs engage with during clinical experience patient encounters (PEs). DESIGN: Multisite panel design.

Setting:

12 professional athletic training programs.

Participants:

363 ATSs enrolled across the participating professional athletic training programs entered patient encounter information within E*Value during their scheduled …

Mitigating The Opioid Epidemic Crisis: An Assessment Of Multidisciplinary Public Health Interventions And Substance Use Disorder Curriculum Expansion In Osteopathic Institutions, Olalekan Ogunsakin

Touro Law Review

The opioid epidemic remains a critical public health crisis, with over one million drug overdose deaths reported since 1999. In 2021 alone, more than 80,000 deaths were attributed to opioid overdoses, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to nearly 88% of these fatalities. This evolving epidemic underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to address the misuse of opioids, particularly in healthcare settings. This study evaluates a multidisciplinary public health intervention focusing on substance use disorder (“SUD”) curriculum expansion in osteopathic institutions. Designed to bridge knowledge gaps among future healthcare professionals, the intervention included training over 1,200 osteopathic students in …

Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers' Onboarding Process During The Transition To Practice, Ashley B. Thrasher, Stacy E. Walker, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: As new athletic trainers (ATs) transition into their roles, some employers provide orientation and onboarding to assist with the transition to practice. Research in which authors outline the ideal onboarding process for new ATs transitioning to practice is lacking.

Objective: To examine the onboarding process for new ATs.

Design: Grounded theory.

Setting: College or university, secondary school, and hospital or clinic.

Patients or other participants: Seventeen newly credentialed, employed ATs who recently graduated from professional masters' programs (11 female, 6 male; 25.6 ± 2.2 years) and 12 employers (6 female, 6 male; years in role supervising new ATs: 8.5 …

Perceptions Of Leadership Opportunities And Effectiveness Among Athletic Trainers: A Comparison Across Racial And Ethnic Groups, Nicolette A. Harris, Americus H. Williams, Julie M. Cavallario, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

Diverse representation in athletic training leadership is essential for fostering inclusion and innovation in the profession. Despite efforts to enhance leadership diversity, disparities persist, underscoring the need to explore barriers to leadership and the effectiveness of leadership in meeting the needs of athletic trainers (ATs).

Objective

To examine racial and ethnic differences in ATs' desire, pursuit, and attainment of leadership positions in the profession in addition to perceptions of current leadership effectiveness.

Design

Cross-sectional, web-based survey.

Participants

A purposeful sample of 1,173 racially and ethnically diverse ATs from an organized professional network followed by a random sample of 6,000 …

Comparing Immersive And Nonimmersive Clinical Experiences In Athletic Training Education: Effects On Student Engagement And Confidence, Julie M. Cavallario, Shana Pribesh, S. E. Walker

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

With the shift to a graduate-level professional degree in athletic training, it was hypothesized that immersive clinical experiences (ICEs) would be more effectively integrated into curricula than non-ICEs (N-ICEs) and better prepare students for practice.

Objective

To longitudinally compare clinical engagement opportunities in ICEs versus N-ICEs and assess if these opportunities are associated with changes in student confidence in performing related tasks.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal, time-diary study using a Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-three first-year, master’s-level athletic training students from 21 programs.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Participants reported their type of clinical experience (ICE, N-ICE, or none), the …

Letter Of Concern From The Association Of Academic Chairs Of Emergency Medicine Regarding Acgme Proposed Changes, Richard J. Hamilton, Lance B. Becker, Richard E. Wolfe, D. Adam Algren, Arnold Thomas, Michael Baumann, Ross P. Berkeley, Terrell S. Caffery, Chad Cannon, Theodore J. Corbin, Michael E. Chansky, Harinder S. Dhindsa, Charles L. Emerman, David A. Farcy, Chris Fox, Michael A. Gibbs, Christopher S. Goode, Steven "Andy" Godwin, Dietrich Jehle, David Johnson, Samuel M. Keim, Babak Khazaeni, Barry J. Knapp, Clint Hawthorne, John D. Hoyle Jr., Michael Christopher Kurz, Evan Leibner, Robert Mcnamara, Robert F. Mccormack, Edward A. Michelson, Chadwick Miller, Ashley Norse, Andrew Nugent, Brian J. O'Neil, David T. Overton, Edward A. Panacek, William F. Paolo, Denis R. Pauzé, Amanda L. Perez, Ralph J. Riviello, Scott W. Rodi, Peter S. Pang, Juan A. Gonzalez Sanchez, David P. Sklar, Ben C. Smith, Jeffrey R. Stowell, Marc D. Squillante, J. Jeremy Thomas, Terry Vanden Hoek, Gregory A. Volturo, E. Lea Walters, Thomas E. Wyatt, Donald M. Yealy

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

This letter, signed by over 50 academic chairs of emergency medicine, urges the ACGME to reconsider a proposed mandate requiring all emergency medicine residency programs to adopt a four-year training model. The authors argue that current three-year programs are supported by data demonstrating equivalent educational and clinical outcomes compared to four-year formats. They criticize the flawed survey methodology underpinning the proposal, note the loss of milestone-based training flexibility, and highlight the lack of added scholarly or clinical value in the fourth year. The letter also outlines negative consequences for fellowship participation, workforce development, trainee debt, and diversity. The signatories advocate …

Hslic Annual Report Fy2024-25, University Of New Mexico Health Sciences Library And Informatics Center

HSLIC Annual Reports

Annual report for FY 2024-2025.

"They Just Don't Have The "Doctor" In Front Of Their Name:" Dimensions Of Trust In Physician Assistants, Staci Defibaugh, Leah Onosato

English Faculty Publications

Physician assistants play a major role in healthcare delivery in the United States, yet what we know about how patients perceive the care they receive from PAs is limited. Prior research on patients’ impressions of PAs has focused primarily on survey data, limiting the scope of what we can learn about patient impressions to predetermined, quantifiable categories, and has focused on post-visit impressions of a single encounter. In an attempt to better understand patient impressions, we conducted open-ended, semi-structured interviews with 30 participants prior to their medical visit, focusing on general impressions of PAs. Through an analytic process of reflexive …