Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Teaching Students To Be Spiritually Sensitive: Learning From A Spirituality Course Evaluation, Ann M. Callahan, Kalea Benner

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Rationale

The way educators address spirituality can create a sense of community or social isolation. This necessitates a spiritually sensitive approach that enables students to build spiritual competence. Spiritual competence reflects an understanding of how spirituality shapes human behavior, how spiritual diversity manifests and can lead to risk for discrimination, and how to communicate spiritual sensitivity in professional relationships (NASW, 2008, 2007). Research shows that educators have helped students explore themselves and others spiritually (Barker & Floersch, 2010; Johnston, Mamier, Bahjri, Anton, & Petersen; 2008), but more research is needed on how self-reflection informs spiritual competence (Hodge & Derezotes, 2008). …

Minimal Clinical Important Difference Of The Quick Disabilities Of The Arm, Shoulder, And Hand (Quickdash) For Post-Surgical Finger Phalanx Fractures, E. Smith-Forbes, Dana Howell, J. Willoughby, G. Pitts, T. Uhl

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Purpose: STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, multiple-group observational design.

Objective: To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) outcome measure, for post-surgical phalanx fracture diagnosis, using a triangulation of distribution-and-anchor-based approaches.

Background: The MCID for the QuickDASH has been established using a pool of multiple conditions, and specifically for the shoulder, and other diagnoses in the elbow and wrist, but not for post-surgical finger fracture. Understanding specific threshold change values for post-surgical finger fracture can enhance the clinical decision-making process.

Re-Designing A Practice Test Into A Game, Hung-Tao Chen, Michael Lee

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Practice testing is an effective learning strategy, but it can lead to increased test anxiety and often has low voluntary participation rate. This paper describes a case study on the effects of a re-designed practice test using game-like elements. The results indicate that the gamified practice test had a high student participation rate and showed improved test performance.

Perceived Stress Levels May Impact Upper Extremity Function Among Women Treated For Breast Cancer, Mary Insana Fisher, Anne Fleischer, Kimbery Parent, Renee Roberts, Megan Mcclure, Lynn Hendricks

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Women treated for breast cancer report ongoing disability in their involved upper extremity, however, often objective measures do not appear to explain the level of perceived dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived stress level, fear of physical activity and self-reported upper extremity function among women treated for breast cancer.

Not All Evidence Is Created Equal: Changes In Practice Require The Highest Possible Level Of Statistical Testing, Sandy Hunter

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The practice of medicine has come a long way over the past 150 years. For example, routine use of leeches to remove “bad blood” no longer occurs, and everyone involved in healthcare knows to wear personal protective equipment.

Changes to practice have (at times) been slow in coming. However, we simply can no longer routinely rely on providing care without evidence that it works. Investigators conduct rigorous studies to determine the efficacy of treatments. This philosophy of testing clinical practices using research methods to validate their efficacy and safety is known as evidence-based medicine.1

Trends In The Environmental Health Job Market For New Graduates, Jason W. Marion, Timothy J. Murphy Phd, Anne Marie Zimeri Phd

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The question of whether the job market can support future graduates of environmental health programs remains an important and difficult question for environmental health programs, current and prospective students, parents, and other stakeholders. Our previous report using 2014 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics demonstrated anticipated growth and higher than average pay in the profession through at least 2022 for baccalaureate degree holders (Marion & Sinde, 2015). Growth in the profession does not necessarily translate into job availability if the market is saturated with job candidates. While university programs produce graduates, local health departments (LHDs) have suffered tremendous …

Optimizing Critical Illness Outcomes Through The Family Experience-A Theoretical Review, Kirby P. Mayer, Samantha A. Mancuso, Dana M. Howell

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

An estimated six to eight million patients are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the United States every year [1, 2]. It is possible that new and innovative medical therapies have provided patients with treatment options that enhance survival of a critical illness and allow them go home with more medical support than previously available in earlier years. This may explain why there are now millions of ICU survivors are a result of declining mortality rates (8-19%) even though there are increased ICU admissions [3, 4]. This also indicates a change in direction of the attitudes and beliefs …

Sensation Seeking Impact On Skin Conductance Measures Of Deception And Memory, Andrew David Manson, Suzanna Lagerroos, Phillip Janz, Adam Lawson, Jonathan Gore

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

We sought to determine whether sensation seeking would differentially predict measures of memory and deception (concealing information) as indexed by behavioral (response time, accuracy) and autonomic (skin conductance level) markers in a sample of college students. Participants were randomly assigned to a mock-crime group or an innocent-errand group. Both groups were trained to complete a task requiring the copying of documents from a secure location; the difference was the mock-crime group broke into the office whereas the errand group was given permission to enter the room and access the documents. After being trained to perform the crime or errand task, …

Parental Views On Sexual Education In Public Schools In A Rural Kentucky County, Tiffany R. Howard, Lauri J. Larkin, Michael D. Ballard, Molly A. Mckinney, Jonathan S. Gore

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Despite Kentucky having almost twice the national birth rate with 50 births per 1,000 female population ages 15-19 (County Health Rankings, 2015), the implementation of comprehensive sexual education in Kentucky public schools remains a controversial topic. This study examined parental attitudes regarding comprehensive sex education curriculum in a rural Kentucky middle school. A survey was distributed to a convenience sample population of parents (N=100) whose children were enrolled in a rural Appalachian middle school in grades 6th thru 8th. Data were analyzed using Chi square and multi-variate techniques. Of the 63 participants, 58.7% believed that sex education should begin in …

Students Can Be Important Link Between Academia And Practice, Jason W. Marion, Charles D. Treser

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Editor’s Note: In an effort to promote the growth of the environmental health profession and the academic programs that fuel that growth, NEHA has teamed up with the Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs (AEHAP) to publish two columns a year in the Journal. AEHAP’s mission is to support environmental health education to ensure the optimal health of people and the environment. The organization works hand in hand with the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) to accredit, market, and promote EHAC-accredited environmental health degree programs. AEHAP focuses on increasing the environmental health workforce, supporting students and …

Geriatric Competency Training For Staff Providing Chronic Care Management Services, Brigette C. Holleran

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Americans 65 and older are the growing at an unprecedented rate. Older adults with complex needs are outpacing the number of healthcare providers equipped to care for them. In preparation for implementation of Chronic Care Management (CCM) service, it will be important to engage staff and motivate participation through planned education and training. The purpose of this project was to implement a staff training that included increasing basic knowledge of the CCM program and participant knowledge of age-based competency principles. A pretest posttest design evaluated participants (N=31) who attended the Older Adult Sensitivity Training (OAST) program. Knowledge was measured using …

Teamstepps Training And Vital Signs Chart To Improve Situational Monitoring For Clinical Deterioration, Rosemarie A. Patrick

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Failure to monitor early warning signs of patient deterioration can result in cardiopulmonary arrests and patient death. Implementation of team building programs emphasizing vital sign data, with consistent monitoring and trending have demonstrated positive outcomes in multiple health care environments. This project implemented TeamSTEPPS© education for 23 registered nurse (RN) residents in an acute care medical center. Specific aims included: (a) increased knowledge of team communication techniques; (b) improved attitudes towards vital sign monitoring, especially respiratory rate assessment; and (c) improved attitudes towards early rapid response system activation. The education program included support tools, behavioral-modeling, simulation exercises based on de-identified …

Motivational Interviewing In Primary Care To Improve Lifestyle Choices For School Age Children, Angela D. Wood

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States placing children at risk for immediate and long-term health problems. Primary care providers are optimally placed to address this high-priority health issue. The purpose of the project was to implement a practice change in the delivery of nutrition and physical activity information during well child visits. The 5-2-1-0 healthy habits message was delivered via motivational interviewing to the parent/guardian of overweight/obese children. A sample of seven parents/guardians participated in the educational program, which included an initial visit, two-week follow-up phone call, and one-month follow up visit. An initial assessment of family …

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy For College Students With Symptoms Of Depression, Sandra Robertson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

College students have high rates of depression, but do not always receive appropriate mental health care. Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) has the potential to provide students rapid access to an evidence-based treatment for depression. This project examined the acceptability and effectiveness of the ICBT program MoodGYM for college students with significant symptoms of depression. Nineteen college students with scores of 10 or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression scale were enrolled in the project. Attrition, defined as failing to complete any MoodGYM modules, was high at 31.6% (n=6). Only 26.3% of participants (n=5) completed all five modules. …

Perioperative Preceptor Education In An Agency Preceptor Workshop, Kimberly N. Crawford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

There is a critical shortage of perioperative nurses and the demand in the United States (US) is growing steadily by 1% to 2% each year. It is estimated that nearly 20% of registered nurses (RNs) currently working in the perioperative area will retire in the next five years. In the perioperative area, when using the 6 to 12-month orientation time frame, as outlined in the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) orientation calculator, the cost of orienting a new RN can exceed $100,000. A preceptorship workshop is one strategy that has been shown as an evidence-based intervention to decrease RN …

Development Of A Leadership Program For Hospital Employees:, Diana Marie Beckman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Healthcare leader’s ability to respond to the dynamic environment of healthcare is essential for positive health care outcomes. Leaders set the strategic direction for healthcare organizations, and this requires that leaders assess themselves and their employees to develop effective education programs needed to meet any knowledge gaps limiting the workforce ready to respond to the new demands. The purpose of this project is to implement and assess a revised curriculum of a leadership development program by measuring gained self-identified development of leadership practices.

Launching The Journal Of Occupational Therapy Education, Dana Howell, Renee Causey-Upton, Cynthia L. Hayden

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

No abstract provided.

Workplace Factors Affecting The Delivery Of Occupational Therapy Services: Perspectives Of Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Robert J. Mullaney

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This research is a study on the occupation of being an occupational therapy practitioner. The work-related factors of focus are change, absenteeism, productivity/performance expectations, and work-stress and have the potential to influence the delivery of occupational therapy services in healthcare settings. Collective case-study inquiry and analysis was used to determine the overall meaning of the perspectives of 21 hospital, skilled nursing, outpatient, and community-based participants who were occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. Interviews and transcription took place, with a validation review. NVIVO-10 Qualitative Software was used to aid in the analysis and coding of the a-priori factors using deductive …

Safety And Improvement Of Movement Function After Stroke With Atomoxetine: A Pilot Randomized Trial, Andrea Ward, Cheryl Carrico, Elizabeth Powell, Philip M. Westgate, Laurie Nichols, Anne Fleischer, Lumy Sawaki

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

BACKGROUND:

Intensive, task-oriented motor training has been associated with neuroplastic reorganization and improved upper extremity movement function after stroke. However, to optimize such training for people with moderate-to-severe movement impairment, pharmacological modulation of neuroplasticity may be needed as an adjuvant intervention.

OBJECTIVE:

Evaluate safety, as well as improvement in movement function, associated with motor training paired with a drug to upregulate neuroplasticity after stroke.

METHODS:

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 12 subjects with chronic stroke received either atomoxetine or placebo paired with motor training. Safety was assessed using vital signs. Upper extremity movement function was assessed using Fugl-Meyer Assessment, …

Trial 1 Versus Trial 2 Of The Test Of Memory Malingering: Evaluating Accuracy Without A “Gold Standard”, Douglas Mossman, Dustin B. Wygant, Roger O. Gervais, Kathleen J. Hart

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This study examines the accuracy of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), a frequently administered measure for evaluating effort during neurocognitive testing. In the last few years, several authors have suggested that the initial recognition trial of the TOMM (Trial 1) might be a more useful index for detecting feigned or exaggerated impairment than Trial 2, which is the source for inference recommended by the original instruction manual (Tombaugh, 1996). We used latent class modeling (LCM) implemented in a Bayesian framework to evaluate archival Trial 1 and Trial 2 data collected from 1198 adults who had undergone outpatient forensic evaluations. …

The Philadelphia School Of Occupational Therapy: A Centennial Lesson, Christine O. Peters, Peggy M. Martin, Wanda J. Mahoney

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy (P.S.O.T.) was one of five founding occupational therapy academic programs in the United States. The program was led by two powerful occupational therapists, Helen S. Willard and Clare S. Spackman, for nearly a half century. After 60 years, P.S.O.T. was closed. This article provides a historical overview of the progression of occupational therapy education in the United States over the last century, using the story of P.S.O.T as a case study. The historical legacy and lesson from P.S.O.T. is that excellence in today’s academy may not mean security. Historically relevant today, the interaction between …

Exploring The Impact Of Service Learning In Haiti On The Cultural Competence Of Otd Students, Nathan Short, Heather Y.Z. St. Peters

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As society trends towards increased cultural diversity, the need for cultural competence in the field of occupational therapy (OT) becomes more acute. Immersion in another culture within the curriculum offers the student an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice and recognize the need to competently interact with members of another culture. This study explored the impact of a service learning trip to Haiti, providing seating and mobility services, on all four factors of cultural intelligence (CQ; i.e., metacognitive CQ, cognitive CQ, motivational CQ, behavioral CQ) for occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students. Using the cultural intelligence scale (CQS), a one-group …

Outcomes Of An Evidence-Based, Data Driven-Model Fieldwork Experience For Occupational Therapy Students, Amy Carroll, E. Adel Herge, Lindsay Johnson, Roseann C Schaaf

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Over the past decade, there has been an increased emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP) and the use of outcome measurement in clinical practice, however, the implementation of evidence into practice remains challenging and irregular. During fieldwork, students often experience a disconnect between the emphasis on EBP in the classroom and lack of use in the clinic. Recognizing the need to develop high-quality, evidence-based and data-driven models of practice for student training, we partnered with local fieldwork educators to develop an innovative program that guides students and simultaneously trains fieldwork educators (FWE) in the use of a systematic data driven decision …

Experiential Learning To Advance Student Readiness For Level Ii Fieldwork, Wendy P. Goldbach, Tiffany C. Stella

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy (OT) students question their readiness for Level II fieldwork prior to their first placement. Many request more hands-on experiences with clients during their coursework, in preparation for the practice setting. As part of a two year Master of Occupational Therapy program, a fourth semester course was designed to address readiness for fieldwork and engage students in the OT process with actual volunteer clients. This course utilized the primary components of a clinical setting: client interaction, evaluation, intervention and outcomes review, clinical decision making, documentation, and communication, to promote student proficiencies as clinicians in preparation for fieldwork experiences. Weekly …

Identifying Instructional Methods For Development Of Clinical Reasoning In Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Education: A Mixed Methods Design, Whitney Henderson, Brenda Coppard, Yongyue Qi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education must teach using contemporary and evidence-based practices that yield graduates with clinical reasoning skills to successfully practice in dynamic and challenging environments. Researchers used a mixed-methods research design to identify the most frequently used and valued instructional methods for developing clinical reasoning with entry-level occupational therapy students. Researchers recruited full-time educators teaching in entry-level occupational therapy programs throughout the United States. Ninety-two occupational therapy educators completed the survey for the quantitative portion of the study. Subsequently, six occupational therapy educators participated in an interview for the qualitative portion of the study. Participants most frequently used laboratory experiences …

First Year Occupational Therapy Students’ Clinical Reasoning Approach To Addressing Challenging Behaviors Related To Sensory Processing Using A Simulated Case Study, Bryan M. Gee, Kelly E. Thompson, Jane Strickland, Lucy Jane Miller

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students must be prepared to use clinical reasoning to select appropriate interventions for children with sensory processing disorders (SPDs). Although these interventions are typically taught in entry-level occupational therapy programs, there is little information regarding the method by which occupational therapy students are taught a clinical reasoning process to determine which sensory processing intervention to use with pediatric clients. A problem-solving framework called A SECRET was used to teach students clinical reasoning for children with SPDs, via an online, module-based course. Following the module, the students were tested with an online assessment tool regarding their ability to discriminate …

Underperforming Students: Factors And Decision-Making In Occupational Therapy Programs, Beth Cardell, Jeanette Koski, Jessica Wahl, Wendi Rock, Anne Kirby

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to better understand factors related to occupational therapy (OT) educators’ decisions to fail underperforming students and to clarify why educators sometimes fail to fail or pass students despite sub-standard performance. Assessing student competence is an essential part of ensuring the safety of those receiving occupational therapy services and ensuring the integrity of the OT profession. Educators in academic and fieldwork settings are responsible for confirming that students who graduate from their programs are able to demonstrate skills required for entry into the profession. A total of 323 OT academic and fieldwork educators responded to …

The Impact Of Instructional Method On The Application Of Kinesio Taping® Techniques For Occupational Therapy Students, Theresa Rice, Husny Amerih, Diane Brown

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This research utilized a crossover study design to analyze the differences in learner satisfaction, confidence, and accuracy when comparing in-person, video, and written instructional methods. The study was conducted on a group of 32 occupational therapy students from a local university by teaching them two different Kinesio Taping® protocols. Satisfaction and confidence were measured by survey. The participants completed tapings, then were rated by an instructor to obtain accuracy data. The study found that learning satisfaction was rated higher following video instruction. Regarding confidence, there was a statistically significant difference in the level of confidence for students viewing video instruction …

Relationship Between Occupational And Physical Therapist Students’ Belongingness And Perceived Competence In The Clinic Using The Ascent To Competence Scale, Patti J. Berg-Poppe, Joy R. Karges, Ranelle Nissen, Susan Deutsch, Kendra Webster

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Clinical education experiences (CEEs) serve an essential role in physical therapist (PT) and occupational therapist (OT) student development. The Ascent to Competence Scale (ACS) measures valuable attributes of belongingness, competence, and welcoming associated with CEE placement. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between PT and OT students’ belongingness and perceived competence during CEE using the ACS. A survey consisting of 35 questions from the ACS measuring students’ feelings of belongingness and perceived competence in the clinic was administered to PT and OT students from 7 Midwest universities. Respondents rated statements using a 5-point Likert-type scale (“never …

Perfectionism In Occupational Science Students: Occupational Therapy Implications, Mary Elizabeth Wagner, Renee Causey-Upton

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to categorize perfectionism and determine how perfectionism impacts the occupations and perceived health of students in a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science program.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive study with a survey component was conducted. Participants were categorized as perfectionists or non-perfectionists using the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R). Time logs were collected to compare categories of time-use between groups over a one-week period. An online survey was conducted with a sub-sample of the perfectionists.

Findings

More students were categorized as perfectionists (N = 41) than non-perfectionists (N = 3). Both groups spent …