Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

What Is The Risk Of “Captagon” And Other Pill-Pressed Stimulants In Tennessee?, Jeremy C. Kourvelas Mph

SMART Policy Briefs

• The U.S. is the world’s largest market for amphetamine-type stimulants. While “ice” methamphetamine is the predominant type seized in Tennessee, amphetamine powder, cocaine, designer stimulants like MDMA, and diverted pharmaceuticals are also encountered. In fact, non-medical use of pharmaceutical amphetamines is the most predominant type of amphetamine use in the U.S.

• The ongoing shortage of prescription stimulants like Adderall puts college-aged youth and other vulnerable populations at particular risk of encountering counterfeit prescription stimulants. Fentanyl-laced counterfeit Adderall has already been discovered on college campuses, for example.

• One potential threat is “Captagon,” which was banned in the 1980s but has since …

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Prior Authorizations And Addiction Treatment, Channie Cretsinger Mph, Jeremy C. Kourvelas Mph, Jennifer G. Tourville Dnp

SMART Policy Briefs

Key Points

• Concerns about prior authorizations have grown given research demonstrating inconsistent coverage and review policies across insurers, interruptions to care, high provider burden and higher healthcare costs.
• Tennessee policymakers and insurers have recently taken appropriate measures to ease the concerns and minizine unnecessary barriers. TennCare changed their policy on buprenorphine allowances in May 2023, essentially removing the prior authorization barrier for buprenorphine/naloxone preferred products.
• This is a significant step for Tennesseans given that the research shows that once the prior authorization process was removed for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), patients with opioid use disorder …

Serving American Veterans: A Review And Analysis Of Gaps In Service In The Needs Of Veterans, Mary Elisabeth Germann

Baker Scholar Projects

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is the agency of the federal government that is responsible for providing benefits, health care, and cemetery services to US military Veterans and their families. About a quarter of the nation’s population, approximately 70 million people, are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members, or survivors of veterans. Due to this expansive demand, the United States has developed the most comprehensive system of Veterans assistance programs in the World. But many argue that the US VA still falls short of expectations and fails to fulfill the needs …

Ballad Health: Understanding Appalachia’S Regional Healthcare Monopoly, Meredith A. Bailey

Baker Scholar Projects

The Ballad Health merger of 2018, which combined the now 21 hospitals in the region under one organization, has impacted the healthcare landscape in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Historically, Appalachia has had to persevere through primary physician shortages, a lack of specialty care, geographic obstacles to accessing healthcare, challenges related to substance abuse, and much more. Since the merger of Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System, little research has been done to assess the perceived impact the aggregation of providers has had on the population it serves. This study utilizes an online survey to better understand the …

The Pink Tax: A Comparative Case Study Between Tennessee And Washington State, Megha Chitturi

Baker Scholar Projects

The imposition of an additional luxury tax on menstrual health products, otherwise referred to as the “Pink Tax” or the “Tampon Tax”, is present in some states while absent in others. The decision to repeal such a tax is one that has proven to be critical, as it removes the connotation that such products are of “luxury” and make them more accessible to menstruators throughout the state. As of 2023, twenty-three states have eliminated the tax. The state of Washington falls under that parameter while Tennessee does not. The purpose of this undergraduate honors thesis is to explore the potential …

The Development Of Health System Resiliency: How Kenya's Experience With Malaria Impacted Its Reaction To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Zoe A. Ward

Baker Scholar Projects

Public health scholars have recently focused on health system resiliency to explain how previous experiences dealing with public health crises impact the healthcare sector, public behavior, and policy response to novel crises. However, it is unclear how resiliency develops. This study contributes by testing whether a health system’s experience with a health emergency and significant interventions impacts the response to a novel crisis. This research asks, “How has Kenya’s experience with malaria impacted its response to COVID-19?” Using the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS), I develop a malaria adherence score to measure county-level compliance …

Addressing Adolescent Sexual Health Through An Educational Toolkit For Providers In Rural Alaska, Anna M. Martin, Tracy L. Brewer, Hannah E. Warren

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Introduction. Adequately addressing an adolescent’s sexual health is essential during the child’s development yet, 33% of adolescents have health visits with no mention of sexual health. On average, primary care providers spend approximately thirty-six seconds discussing sexual health topics with adolescents despite recommendations for comprehensive education. Alaska Native youth face significant disparities regarding sexual and reproductive health care. Implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive educational toolkit regarding various sexual health topics for rural healthcare providers in Alaska revealed positive outcomes in discussing sexual health with an adolescent.

Methods. Larrabee's Model for Evidence-based Practice Change guided the development, implementation, and …

The Need For Point-Of-Care Testing Of All Illicit Substances, Channie Cretsinger, Jeremy Kourvelas Mph, Jennifer G. Tourville Dnp, Julia Van Zyl Md

SMART Policy Briefs

An estimated 107,477 overdose deaths occurred in the United States within the last year, with about 4,000 of those deaths being Tennesseans. Over 80 percent of these deaths are attributable to opioids such as fentanyl, for which there does not exist tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for point-of-care testing (POCT). POCT is intended to be used near or at the site of the patient and is performed outside of a physical clinical laboratory, usually at the bedside. A classic example of this is a bedside glucose test in the hospital. Tests for fentanyl and other illicit …

Educating School Nurses: Returning To School During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kelle Flynn-Gulley, Tracy L. Brewer

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

As schools began reopening, following government mandated school closure early on during the COVID-19 pandemic, new safety measures and protocols were put in place to keep students and staff safe. School nurses have become essential to ensuring schools reopen safely. However, as school nurses were forced to adapt to their increasing roles and responsibilities, a method for providing continuing education to school nurses within an East Tennessee school district did not exist. The goal of this evidence-based practice project was to provide continuing education to school nurses on COVID-19 return to school guidelines via an e-learning modality. Larrabee’s Model for …

The Medicaid Expansion: Modeling Of Important Factors In State Decision Making, Augustus M. White

Haslam Scholars Projects

No abstract provided.

Better Broadband For Better Health, Jeremy Kourvelas, Katie Cahill, Carole Myers Phd, Jennifer Tourville, Sreedhar Upendram

SMART Policy Briefs

No abstract provided.

Human Trafficking Awareness Among Psychiatric Hospital Nursing Staff, Donna J. Czech, Tracy L. Brewer

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Human trafficking is a public health crisis on a global, state, and local level. Victims of human trafficking are a vulnerable population who pass-through healthcare systems unrecognized by nurses and other healthcare professionals due to a lack of awareness about identifiable signs, symptoms, and circumstances. Nurses are in a crucial position to assess trafficking victims for a referral. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) pilot project was to understand nurses’ knowledge and awareness on human trafficking and assess the perceived ability to identify trafficked individuals in a psychiatric care setting for screening and potential referral. Nurses received an online …

Patients’ Experiences Of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice In Primary Care: A Scoping Review Of The Literature, Katherine H. Morgan, Cristina Sofia Barroso, Sarah Bateman, Melanie Dixson, Kathleen Conroy Brown

UT Libraries Faculty: Peer-Reviewed Publications

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has been shown to improve patient safety and quality of care. Particularly, IPC assists health care providers to manage complex and chronic diseases. To this end, primary care centers around the world have begun practicing IPC; however, little is known about the patient’s experience of IPC in primary care (IPC-pc). The goals of this scoping review were to identify the studies exploring patients’ perspectives on IPC-pc and to reveal gaps in the literature for future research in order to inform policy and practice. A keyword search strategy was conducted using PubMed to identify studies published from 1997 …

Social Determinants Of Child Trafficking Addressed By Government And Non-Government Strategies In South And Southeast Asia: An Integrate Review, Pragya Gautam Poudel, Cristina S. Barroso

Public Health Publications and Other Works

Aims: Child trafficking in South and Southeast Asia is widespread and deeply troubling. While several agencies have initiated anti-child trafficking interventions, it is unknown if they address the 21 social determinants of child trafficking identified by Perry and McEwing (2103). The aim of this integrative review was to explore the anti-child trafficking strategies employed by governments and non-government organizations (NGOs) that target the social determinants of child trafficking in South and Southeast Asia, and identify which levels of the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) they address.

Methods: The authors performed a literature search for journal articles and reports by researchers, local or …

Policy Of Current Hospital Translation Services And Recommendations For Future Adjustments For Spanish-Speaking Patients, Isidora Rose Beach

Baker Scholar Projects

It is a seldom-discussed fact that English-speakers in America enjoy a quality of health care that is not necessarily afforded to non-native speakers receiving care at the same facilities. Policy regarding what is required of health institutions in terms of translation services is exceedingly vague, and implementation of this policy is inconsistent. This lack of guidance makes it possible for many patients needing interpreters to fall through the cracks. This project will examine current policy guiding interpretive services in the U.S., and will recommend more specific guidelines that would improve quality of care for limited English proficiency individuals. This project …

Media Coverage Of Tennessee's Amendment 1, Hayley A. Brundige

Baker Scholar Projects

In 2014, Tennesseans went to the polls to vote on a controversial abortion amendment to the state constitution that was years in the making. Two organizations – Yes on 1 and No on One – spent millions of dollars on advertising to insert their rhetoric into the public debate and sway voter opinion. To some, Amendment 1 represented a chance for Tennesseans to take back control over abortion regulations in the state and protect women and girls. To others, the measure went too far and constituted unnecessary government interference into private decisions. For many, the issue set two deeply-held values …

Physical Activity And Its Effect On Reducing Disease: A Literature Review Of The National Runner's Health Study, Graham William Edson

Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies Publications and Other Works

In 1996, Dr. Paul Williams began The National Runner’s Health Study. The study had over one hundred thousand respondents who were questioned about their physical activity habits (walking or running), diet, weight, height, and use or previous use of tobacco and alcohol. Some of the participants were involved in case studies of several years. Primarily, the study tested the effects of vigorous physical activity and its ability to reduce disease. For close to twenty years, Dr. Williams has continued an impressive amount of research on various topics in the health and exercise field. The study is one of the most …

The Role Of The Pediatrician In The Oral Health Of A Child: A Survey Of Tennessee Providers, Ryan Roberts

Baker Scholar Projects

No abstract provided.

Sp605-P Lead Poisoning Can Hurt Your Child Bookmark, Martha Keel

Environment (Indoor & Outdoor)

No abstract provided.

Sp605-F Keys To Healthy Eating, Martha Keel, Janie Burney, Janice Mccoy

Health, and Fitness

No abstract provided.

Sp605-A What Do You Know About Lead Poisoning? Common Myths, Misunderstandings And The Facts, Martha Keel, Janice Mccoy

Environment (Indoor & Outdoor)

No abstract provided.

Sp605-B Preventing Lead Poisioning, Martha Keel, Janice Mccoy

Environment (Indoor & Outdoor)

No abstract provided.

Pb1807 Bed Bugs: What Schools Need To Know, Karen Vail

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

No abstract provided.

Sp526-A Do You Know How To Lower Your Risk For Cancer?, Bobbi P. Clarke

Health, and Fitness

No abstract provided.

Sp729 Hpv: What Parents Should Know, Barbara Bobbi Clarke, Laura L. Jones

Family

No abstract provided.

Sp728: Hpv - What Teens Should Know, Barbara Bobbi Clarke, Laura L. Jones

Family

No abstract provided.

Center For Health Science Research Newsletter, April 2012, Center For Health Science Research, Michelle L. Hammett

Center for Health Science Research Newsletter

The Research Newsletter is published by the Center for Health Science Research, College of Nursing. This publication is intended to highlight the latest in College of Nursing academic & research updates, opportunities, people, events, achievements, and goals.

Active Video Gaming Compared To Unstructured, Outdoor Play In Children: Measurements Of Estimated Energy Expenditure And Measured Percent Time In Moderate-To-Vigorous Physical Activity, Susan Brittin Macarthur

Nutrition Publications and Other Works

It is recommended that children and adolescents participate in > 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. Despite the current recommendations and positive health benefits, many children and adolescents still do not engage in regular physical activity (PA).

One challenge for assisting children in becoming more active is sedentary screen-based activities (SBAs), such as watching television (TV), using computers, and playing sedentary video games (VGs), as SBAs may compete with time for being physically active in children. One modification to sedentary VGs that may increase PA in children is to alter them so that the VGs actually provide an …

In Vitro Investigation Of A Terbinafine Impregnated Subcutaneous Implant For Veterinary Use, Marcy J. Souza, Tim Cairns, Jason Yarbrough, Sherry Cox

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

No abstract provided.

Assessing Risk In Focal Arboviral Infections: Are We Missing The Big Or Little Picture?, A D. Haddow, Agricola Odoi, C J. Jones

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

BACKGROUND: Focal arboviral infections affecting a subset of the overall population present an often overlooked set of challenges in the assessment and reporting of risk and the detection of spatial patterns. Our objective was to assess the variation in risk when using different at-risk populations and geographic scales for the calculation of incidence risk and the detection of geographic hot-spots of infection. We explored these variations using a pediatric arbovirus, La Crosse virus (LACV), as our model. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Descriptive and cluster analyses were performed on probable and confirmed cases of LACV infections reported to the Tennessee Department of …