Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Craftivism As Inquiry: Holding Life’S Threads, Chloe Watfern, Gaynor Macdonald, Michele Elliot, Lynne Stone, Imelda Gilmore, Manuel Tecson, Najla Turk, Penny Bingham, Jane Mears, Ann Dadich, Barbara Doran, Katherine Boydell, Sarah Wallace

The Qualitative Report

In this article, we share insights regarding an arts-based research project where carers of people with dementia conveyed their experiences in cloth. Carers face high rates of mental ill health and burnout, while forming a largely undervalued and unrecognised workforce. Through this project, carers’ knowledge was valued and amplified using an innovative methodology – craftivism. During a series of five workshops in 2021, a small group of carers, researchers and artists gathered online to develop an exhibition of craftivist textile works. They evoked the complexity of their makers’ journeys supporting loved ones at the end of life, finding joy and …

Multi-Site Benchmark Classification Of Major Depressive Disorder Using Machine Learning On Cortical And Subcortical Measures, Vladimir Belov, Tracy Erwin-Grabner, Moji Aghajani, Andre Aleman, Alyssa R Amod, Zeynep Basgoze, Francesco Benedetti, Bianca Besteher, Robin Bülow, Christopher R K Ching, Colm G Connolly, Kathryn Cullen, Christopher G Davey, Danai Dima, Annemiek Dols, Jennifer W Evans, Cynthia H Y Fu, Ali Saffet Gonul, Ian H Gotlib, Hans J Grabe, Nynke Groenewold, J Paul Hamilton, Ben J Harrison, Tiffany C Ho, Benson Mwangi, Natalia Jaworska, Neda Jahanshad, Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, Sheri-Michelle Koopowitz, Thomas Lancaster, Meng Li, David E J Linden, Frank P Macmaster, David M A Mehler, Elisa Melloni, Bryon A Mueller, Amar Ojha, Mardien L Oudega, Brenda W J H Penninx, Sara Poletti, Edith Pomarol-Clotet, Maria J Portella, Elena Pozzi, Liesbeth Reneman, Matthew D Sacchet, Philipp G Sämann, Anouk Schrantee, Kang Sim, Jair C Soares, Dan J Stein, Sophia I Thomopoulos, Aslihan Uyar-Demir, Nic J A Van Der Wee, Steven J A Van Der Werff, Henry Völzke, Sarah Whittle, Katharina Wittfeld, Margaret J Wright, Mon-Ju Wu, Tony T Yang, Carlos Zarate, Dick J Veltman, Lianne Schmaal, Paul M Thompson, Roberto Goya-Maldonado, Enigma Major Depressive Disorder Working Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Machine learning (ML) techniques have gained popularity in the neuroimaging field due to their potential for classifying neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the diagnostic predictive power of the existing algorithms has been limited by small sample sizes, lack of representativeness, data leakage, and/or overfitting. Here, we overcome these limitations with the largest multi-site sample size to date (N = 5365) to provide a generalizable ML classification benchmark of major depressive disorder (MDD) using shallow linear and non-linear models. Leveraging brain measures from standardized ENIGMA analysis pipelines in FreeSurfer, we were able to classify MDD versus healthy controls (HC) with a balanced accuracy …

The Epidemic Of Gun Violence And The Role Of Health Care Professionals, Daniel Meyer, Kurt Granhke

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Results Of A Needs Assessment: Use Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Data In Health Systems In Maine, Lucy Soule, Melissa Fairfield, Sivana Barron, Natalie Kuhn, Brandy Brown

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) patients experience significantly more health care disparities than non-LGBTQ+ patients. Although sexual orientation and gender identity data (SOGI) would help quantify and track these known disparities, there are no standardized methods for routinely and consistently including SOGI into health care management in Maine. Our needs assessment (1) evaluates the comfort of health care professionals (HCPs) in collecting SOGI and incorporating it into the medical record and (2) identifies barriers to SOGI collection.

Methods: An interprofessional team conducted a survey of Maine HCPs who identified as working directly with patients or patient …

Toward Standardization, Harmonization, And Integration Of Social Determinants Of Health Data: A Texas Clinical And Translational Science Award Institutions Collaboration, Catherine K Craven, Linda Highfield, Mujeeb Basit, Elmer V Bernstam, Byeong Yeob Choi, Robert L Ferrer, Jonathan A Gelfond, Sandi L Pruitt, Vaishnavi Kannan, Paula K Shireman, Heidi Spratt, Kayla J Torres Morales, Chen-Pin Wang, Zhan Wang, Meredith N Zozus, Edward C Sankary, Susanne Schmidt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: The focus on social determinants of health (SDOH) and their impact on health outcomes is evident in U.S. federal actions by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minorities and communities of color heightened awareness of health inequities and the need for more robust SDOH data collection. Four Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs comprising the Texas Regional CTSA Consortium (TRCC) undertook an inventory to understand what contextual-level SDOH datasets are offered centrally and which individual-level SDOH are collected in structured fields in each …

Effectiveness Of Emotionally Focused Therapy (Eft) With Chinese Couple Clients: From The Chinese Eft Therapists' Cultural Lens, Yifan Wang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the Chinese EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) therapists’ experiences of working with Chinese couples in EFT sessions, as well as to discover how the cultural factors play a role in the effectiveness of EFT use with Chinese couples. This study was conducted by finding out 10 EFT-oriented therapists and analyzing via online interviews their experiences of working with Chinese couples. The theories guiding this study are based on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). One of the founding therapists of this approach is Dr. Sue Johnson. EFT is heavily influenced by attachment theory, which …

Refugee Health In Philadelphia, Marc Altshuler, Md

Academic Commons Workshops and Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Million Veteran Program 1990-1991 Gulf War Era Survey: An Evaluation Of Veteran Response, Characteristics, And Representativeness Of The Gulf War Era Veteran Population, Kelly M Harrington, Rachel Quaden, Lea Steele, Drew A Helmer, Elizabeth R Hauser, Sarah T Ahmed, Mihaela Aslan, Krishnan Radhakrishnan, Jacqueline Honerlaw, Xuan-Mai T Nguyen, Sumitra Muralidhar, John Concato, Kelly Cho, J Michael Gaziano, Stacey B Whitbourne, On Behalf Of The Va Million Veteran Program

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

To address gaps in understanding the pathophysiology of Gulf War Illness (GWI), the VA Million Veteran Program (MVP) developed and implemented a survey to MVP enrollees who served in the U.S. military during the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War (GW). Eligible Veterans were invited via mail to complete a survey assessing health conditions as well as GW-specific deployment characteristics and exposures. We evaluated the representativeness of this GW-era cohort relative to the broader population by comparing demographic, military, and health characteristics between respondents and non-respondents, as well as with all GW-era Veterans who have used Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services and …

“Everything Seems To Be The Right Eye In Our Family”: Intergenerational Family Living With Facial Eye Disfigurement: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Zali M. O'Dea Ms, Jane Southcott

The Qualitative Report

This paper presents the lived experience of an intergenerational family, spanning three generations living with Facial Eye Disfigurement (FED). Living with vision loss and FED is estimated to affect nearly 8 billion people worldwide. Inadequate attention is paid to the impact of Living with FED (LwFED) on the lives of individuals. This research offers a deep dive into the lived experiences of one family LwFED. This family comprises a grandfather (deceased), son, wife, and child, all of whom have lived or live with FED. In this Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study three interviewees are deemed the experts. Data were collected …

Development Of Model Vaccination Initiative In Detroit, Muhammad Tarar

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

The distribution of vaccines to Detroit residents faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 health crisis. Vaccine distribution was slow, ineffective, and resulted in significant disparities in vaccine coverage among various racial and ethnic populations. This study examines existing data barriers to vaccination efforts in the United States, including common factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and attempts to identify factors that impact racial and ethnic disparities in vaccine coverage. Finally, this study examines successful vaccination initiatives from other cities in the United States to discuss a model vaccination initiative in Detroit.

Dukungan Sosial Dari Orang Tua Asuh Kepada Anak Berhadapan Dengan Hukum Dalam Proses Rehabilitasi Sosial, Muhamad Rizky Hidayat, Annisah Annisah, Dwi Amalia Chandra Sekar

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

The social rehabilitation process in which children face legal conflict is not easy, especially when they are far from their families. This article aims to examine the forms and benefits of social support from foster parents to Children in Conflict with the Law (ABH) who are undergoing the process of social rehabilitation. Descriptive qualitative research was conducted at the Social Rehabilitation Center for Children who Need Special Protection (BRSAMPK). This research was conducted in March-July 2021. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews with 13 informants, consisting of children in conflict with the law, heads of social services and …

Experiences Of Family Communication And Cascade Genetic Testing For Hereditary Cancer In Medically Underserved Populations-A Qualitative Study, Erica M Bednar, J Alejandro Rauh-Hain, Jose J Garcia, Norma De Aguinaga, Mary Anne Powell, Sylvia L Peral, Roni Nitecki, Kirsten Jorgensen, Natasha L Rudy, Karen H Lu, Charles A Leath, Isabel C Scarinci

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

UNLABELLED: We sought to explore the intrafamilial communication and cascade genetic testing (CGT) experiences of patients with hereditary cancer from diverse, medically underserved populations and their relatives. Participants included patients receiving oncology care at an urban, safety net hospital in Texas or comprehensive cancer center in Alabama and their first-degree relatives. In-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed wherein patients shared their experiences with genetic counseling (GC), genetic testing (GT), and communicating their results to relatives. Relatives shared their experiences receiving information from the patient and considering CGT. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and themes were identified. Of 25 participating patients, most …

The Role Of Lncrna-Mediated Pyroptosis In Cardiovascular Diseases, Aman Shrestha, Saruna Ghimire, Jennifer Kinney, Ranju Mehta, Sabuj Kanti Mistry, Shoko Saito, Binod Rayamajhee, Deepak Sharma, Suresh Mehta, Uday Narayan Yadav

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Nepal's low fertility rate and increasing life expectancy have resulted in a burgeoning older population. For millennia, filial piety shaped family cohesion and helped Nepali older adults achieve positive outcomes, but recently, it has been eroding. Furthermore, there are not enough institutional support options or alternatives to family-based care to deal with the biosocial needs of older adults. This study explored the association between family support and self-rated health among Nepali older adults.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey in eastern Nepal's two districts, Sunsari and Morang, interviewed 847 older adults (≥ 60 years). The final analytical sample was 844. …

Infant Growth And Body Composition From Birth To 24 Months: Are Infants Developing The Same?, Shane A. Norris, Lukhanyo H. Nyati, Alexia Murphy Alford, Nishani Lucas, Ina S. Santos, Caroline S. Costa, Rebecca Kuriyan, V Pujitha Wickranasinghe, Shabina Ariff, Andrew P. Hills

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Given the importance of infancy for establishing growth trajectories, with later-life health consequences, we investigated longitudinal body composition among infants from six economically and ethnically diverse countries.
Methods: We recruited mother-infant dyads using the WHO Multicenter Growth Reference Study criteria. We measured fat-free mass (FFM) in 1393 (49% female) infants from birth to 6 months of age (Australia, India, and South Africa; n = 468), 3-24 months of age (Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka; n = 925), and derived fat mass (FM), fat mass index (FMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), and weight-for-length …

On The Way To The Altar: An Illustration Of Transpersonal Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Willow Pearson Trimbach

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This paper illustrates transpersonal psychoanalytic psychotherapy through a detailed clinical example. A creative synthesis of Voice Dialogue work and Dreamtending, applied through storytelling and active imagination, is presented with a patient who is about to be married. Areas such as the therapeutic relationship including skills, techniques, clinical decisions, goals, interventions and the therapeutic space and presence are explored and discussed throughout the paper as they relate to transpersonal psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Measuring Paranormal Beliefs: Reconceptualization And Empirical Validation Of The Paranormal Belief Construct, Hugo Matas, Enric Munar, Lluis Ballester, Maria José Hernández-Lloreda

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS) is the most widely-used tool for measuring beliefs in paranormal phenomena, although it is not free from criticism. Lindeman and Aarnio (2006) proposed an extended version of the RPBS with some improvements and a second-order hierarchical model to explain the structure of the scale. Our objective was to analyze the goodness of fit of the model and measurement invariance by sex in a Spanish sample. A sample of 6,584 participants completed the extended RPBS. After reversed items were removed, the model demonstrated an adequate fit, significant factor loadings and invariance between sexes. The results …

Dreams, Synchrony, And Synchronicity, Terry Marks-Tarlow

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

No abstract provided.

Wildfire And Asylum: A Terrapsychological Approach To Backyard Pilgrimage, Jacob Kaminker

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This paper offers a conceptual framework and embodied practice of finding ones’ psychological roots through mythological re-emplacement. The author utilizes the lenses of depth psychology, terrapsychology, ritual and pilgrimage. The method also focuses on experiences of awe in nature as a catalyst for transpersonal experience. This deeply personal account offers a model for the reader’s own symbolic engagement with the physical, natural and historically rich world around them.

Integrating Clinical Intuition For A Whole Person Approach To Empowerment, Jennifer Sousa

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This paper is a summary of a study utilizing constructivist grounded theory to examine the process of accessing and applying clinical intuition in psychotherapy. Intensive interviews were conducted with 19 psychotherapists to explore their experiences with clinical intuition, including training on the topic, supportive conditions for accessing intuition, and decision making around its application in session. Engagement in an iterative process of data collection and analysis occurred to arrive at the constructed theory: integrating clinical intuition for a whole person approach to empowerment. The theory is comprised of the core categories (a) building trust and confidence to access and use …

The Role Of Personality In Moving Encounters With Sacred Art, Jacob Lang, Despina Stamatopoulou, Gerald C. Cupchik

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

In Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, the material world is understood to contain access points to the transcendent. An icon may move the awestruck believer to emotional engagement and reflection on moral and religious themes. Personality dispositions potentiating the experience of being moved in religious aesthetic contexts have not been thoroughly studied. The present article describes the development and testing of a cross-sectional study into potential belief and personality-related predictors of being moved by sacred art in a lab environment evocative of a holy site. Ninety (90) Christians in Canada and Greece completed personality measures and viewed and rated …

Empathy, Ethics, And Empowerment: Supervising The Transpersonal Therapist, John Elfers, Patty Hlava

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This grounded theory study addressed the question What model explains the essential qualities, skills, and competencies of an effective supervisory relationship for transpersonal therapists in training? It emerged out of a recognition that current training models for supervisors were not inclusive of competencies to address the needs of therapist trainees who are oriented toward a transpersonal approach to psychotherapy. The results of 22 interviews with trainees and supervisors surfaced a fundamental tension within the supervisory relationship in the distinction among the primary responsibility of the supervisor for ensuring client welfare, and encouraging supervisees to develop their personal therapeutic orientation and …

An Open Mystery: Reflections On The Metaphysical Status Of The Participatory Approach, Jorge N. Ferrer

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participatory approach to transpersonal and spiritual phenomena (Ferrer, 2002, 2017a). To that end, I first respond to several criticisms of the approach issued by scholars in recent years; for instance, that it hides a perennialist metaphysics (e.g., Abramson, 2015) or that it is metaphysically vague (e.g., Taylor, 2021). After reviewing these critical discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that …

Unveiling A Hidden Peril: Unanticipated Emergence Of Diaphragmatic Hernia After Trauma, Deepak Benny Dr, Deepak K. S Dr, Vishal S. Dharpur Dr, Priyanshi Tapadia

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report presents a rare instance of a delayed diagnosis of obstructed diaphragmatic hernia in a 57-year-old male, a year after sustaining trauma. The patient initially presented with abdominal pain and obstipation, without any overt signs of diaphragmatic injury. Diagnostic challenges were compounded by the patient's non-specific symptomatology and the absence of immediate post-traumatic complications. The report discusses the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic management, underscoring the importance of considering diaphragmatic hernia in differential diagnoses of abdominal pain post-trauma. The case highlights the necessity for heightened clinical vigilance and the pivotal role of advanced imaging techniques in diagnosing …

Unveiling The Silent Specter: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Silent Sinus Syndrome, Deepak Benny Dr, Sudha Kiran Das Dr, Shwetha R. Poojary Dr, Priyanshi Tapadia

Radiology Teaching Files

A 42-year-old individual presented to the outpatient clinic with subtle facial asymmetry noted over the past year, primarily characterized by a progressive, painless sinking of the right eye (enophthalmos). The patient reported a history of mild, intermittent nasal obstruction but no acute sinus infections, significant nasal discharge, or facial pain. Despite these mild symptoms, the patient expressed concern over the noticeable change in facial appearance and occasional double vision, which prompted a visit to the clinic.The patient described a gradual onset of the right eye appearing "sunken" without any preceding trauma, infection, or significant weight loss. Initially dismissed as a …

Pericallosal Lipoma Unveiled: A Rare Case Of Incidental Discovery And Its Clinical Implications, Deepak Benny Dr, Sachin P. Shetty Dr, Kavitha B. C Dr, Sinchana N Dr

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report delves into the incidental finding of a pericallosal lipoma during routine neuroimaging conducted for non-specific neurological symptoms. It provides a detailed examination of the lipoma's radiological features, outlines the clinical significance of such findings, and discusses the management approach adopted, including considerations for surgical intervention versus conservative monitoring. The report further explores the implications of incidental pericallosal lipomas on patient outcomes, emphasizing the need for awareness among clinicians about this rare condition and the importance of individualized patient care strategies in the context of such incidental neuroimaging discoveries.

Emerging Mania In Young Adulthood: A Case Report Of Idiopathic Fahr's Syndrome Unveiling Neuropsychiatric Dimensions, Deepak Benny Dr, Shwetha R. Poojary Dr, Kavya B. T Dr, Sudha Kiran Das Dr.

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report outlines the diagnosis and management of an 18-year-old male presenting with first episode mania, attributed to idiopathic Fahr's Syndrome. Despite having no significant past medical or psychiatric history, the patient exhibited classic manic symptoms alongside grandiose delusions. Notably, CT imaging revealed brain calcifications characteristic of Fahr's Syndrome, absent metabolic disturbances commonly associated with the disorder. This case underscores the clinical complexity of Fahr's Syndrome, illustrating its potential to manifest primarily with psychiatric symptoms and the importance of integrating neuroimaging in the psychiatric evaluation to uncover underlying neurological disorders.

Pulmonary Infarction, Manu Chaudhary Dr, Sachin P. Shetty Dr, Sinchana N Dr

Radiology Teaching Files

68 years old female presented with breathlessness and chest pain to EMD, on clinical examination her saturation was low and D-Dimer levels were significantly elevated raising the possibility of pulmonary thromboembolism. Further the patient was referred for chest radiograph and CT thorax with contrast for better evaluation and was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism with pulmonary infarct. The patient was treated for the same.

Examining The Effects Of Manualized Suicide Intervention Training On Clinical Psychology Doctoral Trainees: A Quasi-Experimental Trial, Alexander Dorfman M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Although most clinical psychology doctoral trainees encounter at least one suicidal client over the course of their training (Dexter-Mazza & Freeman, 2003), there is notable variability in the degree of formal suicide risk assessment and intervention training offered across clinical psychology doctoral programs (Monahan & Karver, 2021). Most suicide-related training involves passive (e.g., lectures) rather than active (e.g., role-plays, experiential exercises) training techniques, despite evidence for the effectiveness of the latter in improving clinicians’ skills (Gryglewicz et al., 2020). The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a manualized, evidence-based training incorporating didactics and role-plays (LivingWorks, 2013; Rodgers, 2010). The …

What Is Transpersonal Psychotherapy? A Conceptual Template, Gabriel Fernandez Borsot

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

Transpersonal psychotherapy (TPT) lacks systematization, as it lacks a model that characterizes what qualifies a psychotherapy as transpersonal. Due to this situation, TPT has been developed in a state of fragmentation, through a multiplicity of idiosyncratic approaches. This idiosyncratic fragmentation jeopardizes the theoretical development of the field, undermines the possibilities of obtaining a wider recognition, and hinders the training and the research. To remedy this, this paper proposes a model of five components which characterize TPT: (1) purposeful use of states of consciousness, (2) transpersonal therapeutic framework, (3) transpersonal techniques, (4) focus on spirituality and/or existential meaning, and (5) suitable …

The Image Of Schizophrenia In Spain's Healthcare System, Meghan Webb

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

Schizophrenia affects thousands of people in Spain and is one of the most serious mental health disorders in existence. Despite its this characteristic, schizophrenia did not always get the proper attention it deserved within the country’s healthcare system. This was largely due to the influence that the Spanish government had, and continues to have, over the healthcare system, giving it the power to choose how the disorder was represented. Therefore, what does that mean for schizophrenia in Spain’s healthcare system today? This essay will explore the ways in which schizophrenia was represented in Spain’s healthcare system through an examination of …