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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Symptom Burden And Healthcare Utilization In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Catherina Anne Madani Phd
Symptom Burden And Healthcare Utilization In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Catherina Anne Madani Phd
Dissertations
Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rapidly progressive disease. There is currently no cure; thus treatment is aimed at prolonging survival, improving functional status (FS), and symptom mitigation. Symptom burden (SB) can impact quality of life (QOL), and lead to increased healthcare utilization. Palliative care (PC) has been associated with higher QOL, decreased depression, aggressive care, and mortality. The Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recent report supports earlier integration of PC for people living with serious illness. Detection of patients at high risk for heavy SB may help to identify patients who could benefit from earlier integration of PC into …
Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: Quality Of Life And Perception Of Dyspnea, Barbara A. Roces Phd, Msn, Np, Rn
Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: Quality Of Life And Perception Of Dyspnea, Barbara A. Roces Phd, Msn, Np, Rn
Dissertations
Background: Dyspnea perception can be defined as a multidimensional experience of breathing discomfort, influenced by physiological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, that includes secondary psychological and behavioral responses and cannot be defined only by physical objective abnormalities (Mularski et al., 2010). Dyspnea is the most common and distressing symptom in patients with advanced lung cancer and decreases one's quality of life (QOL) (Smith et al., 2001). Furthermore, dyspnea has been found to interfere with physical activities such as walking, work, and psychological activities such as disposition, taking pleasure in life, relationship with others, and sleep (Tanaka, Akechi, Okuyama, Nishiwaki, & …
Nurse Practice Environment And Peripheral Intravenous Infiltrations In A Pediatric Hospital On The Magnet Journey, Jannise Topacio Baclig Phd
Nurse Practice Environment And Peripheral Intravenous Infiltrations In A Pediatric Hospital On The Magnet Journey, Jannise Topacio Baclig Phd
Dissertations
Background: Characteristics such as quality patient care, excellence in nursing, and innovations in professional nursing practice shape a health care organization into a "magnet" organization. Magnet designation is a key aspect of nursing, which places pressure on healthcare organizations to commit to nursing excellence and patient care should they take the challenge of attaining this prestige. With growing focus on quality and safety, nursing needs to remain diligent in ensuring a healthy work environment that not only supports the profession, but also sustains exceptional patient outcomes. The purpose of this research study was to describe the relationship of the nurse …
Identification Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In Post-Icu Patients, Heather Warlan Phd, Rn, Ccrn
Identification Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In Post-Icu Patients, Heather Warlan Phd, Rn, Ccrn
Dissertations
Background: Patients receiving critical care are experiencing post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) as a result of life-saving interventions received in the intensive care unit (ICU). PTSS is associated with poor patient outcomes and decreased quality of life compared to post-ICU patients without PTSS. Personal and clinical characteristics that place patients at higher risk for PTSS are still being examined. It is also unknown to what extent patients are being screened for ICU-induced PTSS. Objectives: This body of work aims to examine the risk factors associated with ICU-related PTSS and describe the screening experiences of patients who recently received care in an …
Does Participation In A Multi-Modal Activity-Based Program Impacts On Functional Recovery, And Quality Of Life In Adults With Spinal Cord Injury?, Carolyn S. Gerber Phd, Msn, Rn
Does Participation In A Multi-Modal Activity-Based Program Impacts On Functional Recovery, And Quality Of Life In Adults With Spinal Cord Injury?, Carolyn S. Gerber Phd, Msn, Rn
Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between relevant personal factors, participation in a multi-modal activity-based training program, and the program's impact on an individual's level of functional recovery, and overall quality of life in adults with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). A descriptive, correlational design was performed on a secondary analysis dataset to conduct this study. Inferential statistics were performed with mixed ANOVA's on measures of ASIA UEM and LEM scores, EuroQol, and SWLS to compare their means. The study proposed that participation in a multi-modal activity-based training program would be associated with greater functional recovery, less …
Quality Of Life Among Southwest American Indians And Alaska Natives Living With The Hepatitis C Virus, Rydell Todicheeney-Mannes Phd, Rn, Acns-Bc
Quality Of Life Among Southwest American Indians And Alaska Natives Living With The Hepatitis C Virus, Rydell Todicheeney-Mannes Phd, Rn, Acns-Bc
Dissertations
Background: Hepatitis C Virus is considered to be a global public health threat because seventy-five percent of infected persons have no symptoms and are unaware of their infection. It is significant to note that AI/ANs commonly contend with issues that prevent them from receiving or seeking medical care. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to: (a) Characterize the level of depression, alcohol consumption, stigma, and quality of life; (b) Examine the relationship among the variables of age, gender, residing on an AI/AN reservation, current partner status, depression, alcohol consumption, and stigma with quality of life in a sample of …
Spiritual Well-Being And Quality Of Life Among Persons With Paraplegia, Darlene Nelson Finocchiaro Phd, Msn, Rn, Crrn
Spiritual Well-Being And Quality Of Life Among Persons With Paraplegia, Darlene Nelson Finocchiaro Phd, Msn, Rn, Crrn
Dissertations
With the advent of better emergency response and medical advances, the life expectancy of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is about 85% to 90% compared to that of non-disabled persons. Since SCI survivors are living well into their 70s, quality of life (QOL) is a major concern. The purpose of this study, informed by Ferrell and Grant's Quality of Life Model, was to examine relationships between spiritual well-being (SWB), existential well-being (EWB), religious spiritual well-being (RWB), depression, length of injury, age, gender, ethnicity, and QOL while living with paraplegia one year and longer. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design, with …
Quality Of Life, Hope, Social Support, And Self-Care In Heart Failure Patients, Karen A. Mcgurk Phd, Mn, Rn
Quality Of Life, Hope, Social Support, And Self-Care In Heart Failure Patients, Karen A. Mcgurk Phd, Mn, Rn
Dissertations
Heart failure is a significant, chronic health problem. Much is known about physiological factors related to this condition. Less is known about the psychosocial aspects that influence disease risk, progression, and treatment. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between quality of life, hope, social support, and self-care. A descriptive, correlational study was conducted. The participants were 65 heart failure patients who attended 2 military-based heart failure clinics. Quality of Life was measured using the Left Ventricular Dysfunction Questionnaire (LVD-36), Hope was measured using the Herth Hope Index (HUI), Social Support was measured using the Medical Outcomes …
Quality Of Life, Religious/Spiritual Coping, Demoralization And Depression In Heart Failure Patients, Terry Larsen Phd, Rn, Cns
Quality Of Life, Religious/Spiritual Coping, Demoralization And Depression In Heart Failure Patients, Terry Larsen Phd, Rn, Cns
Dissertations
Background: Research suggests that the heart failure (HF) population is particularly vulnerable to depression. Other factors may also affect quality of life such as religious/spiritual coping, and demoralization. Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine factors that predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with heart failure. Specific Aims: (1) to examine level of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress, demoralization, depression and HRQoL among adults with heart failure; (2) to examine the relationships of religious/spiritual coping, spiritual distress demoralization, depression and selected demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity and length of living with HF) with HRQoL. Methods: …
The Relationship Between Coping, Anxiety, And Quality Of Life For Taiwanese Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Patients, Heng-Hsin Tung Phd
The Relationship Between Coping, Anxiety, And Quality Of Life For Taiwanese Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Patients, Heng-Hsin Tung Phd
Dissertations
Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is a stressful event and requires coping strategies to achieve adaptation. In Taiwan, despite the fact that the incidence of CABG is increasing in both men and women, research on post-CABG adaptation is very limited and no research focuses on outcomes for women. This can lead to problems for health care providers who lack effective interventions to help these patients. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between coping, anxiety, and quality of life in Taiwanese post-CABG patients. A cross-sectional correlational design was used; the sample consisted of 50 female and …
Resilience And Quality Of Life In Taiwanese Survivors Of Childhood Cancer, Li-Na Chou Phd, Msn, Rn
Resilience And Quality Of Life In Taiwanese Survivors Of Childhood Cancer, Li-Na Chou Phd, Msn, Rn
Dissertations
Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk to develop physiologic-psychosocial complications that affect their quality of life. This study explored how the independent variables of illness-related risk (ILLRK), individual risks (IRK), protective factors (PF) and resilience (RS) affected the dependent variable---quality of life (QOL)--in Taiwanese survivors of childhood cancer. Triangulated research methodology was employed to (1) identify the statistical relationships between the variables and (2) explore qualitatively what these variables meant to the subjects and how their perceptions further explained the statistical results. Haase's (2004) Adolescent Resilience Model was used as the theoretical framework. Ninety-eight Taiwanese adolescent cancer survivors, diagnosed …
A Study Of Quality Of Life Issues In Community-Dwelling Elders, Kimberly S. Mcclane Phd
A Study Of Quality Of Life Issues In Community-Dwelling Elders, Kimberly S. Mcclane Phd
Dissertations
In the year 2000, there were approximately 35 million people in the United States who were 65 years of age or older, a ten-fold increase since 1900. The growth of this population has presented opportunities and challenges to American society. Health care needs, physical changes of aging, and the allocation of health care resources are several of the issues that need to be addressed (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2000). Quality of life measurement tools have been used to assess the health and social needs of aging people both in the United States and internationally since their conception in …
Illness Impact And Adjustment To Parkinson's Disease: Before And After Treatment With Tolcapone, Mickie D. Welsh Dnsc, Rn
Illness Impact And Adjustment To Parkinson's Disease: Before And After Treatment With Tolcapone, Mickie D. Welsh Dnsc, Rn
Dissertations
There is evidence that adjustment to chronic illnesses such as Parkinson's disease (PD) may be affected by psychological factors especially how patients appraise and cope with the stress of their illness. There has been limited research available examining the role of illness impact or appraisal in adjustment to chronic illness. No studies were found dealing with the interrelationship of illness impact, adjustment and pharmacological treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the quality of life (as conceptualized by impact of illness and adjustment) was improved by treatment with tolcapone in persons with Parkinson's disease. This study was …