Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using Public Funeral And Obituary Listings To Identify Spikes In Excess Mortality In One Appalachian County, Allen Archer, Melissa White, Megan Quinn, Randy Wykoff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Delays (10-22 months) in availability of official state and county-level mortality data could have significant public health consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need for health officials to access timely death data to identify unexpected increases in mortality in their communities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if funeral home listings and/or newspaper obituaries could help identify excess mortality on the local level, prior to the availability of official death records.

Methods: To calculate excess mortality, four years (2017–2020) of data were collected from three sources: the state health department, online funeral home listings, and newspaper …

Aftermath: A Word To Appalachia Following Hurricane Helene, Emily Wilson

Journal of Appalachian Health

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene caused massive and catastrophic flash flooding in the lower Appalachian Region, leveling towns and forever altering much of the landscape. This is an open letter to the people of Appalachia who were affected by the disaster that blindsided our region.

Creating A Caring Culture, Julie Harrison-Swartz

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Caring is a word that is synonymous with nursing. Nurses are equipped to engage in all aspects of patient care and be present. Caring and presence are also imperative in nursing education. While caring is instrumental to patient healing and outcomes, it is equally important in demonstrating care through nursing education. While convenient it is often difficult to express caring in the remote environment. This paper will describe a brief history of nursing, concept of caring, and nursing education.

Raising Awareness About Type 2 Diabetes In Adolescents Through Theatre: A Quasi-Experimental Pretest-Posttest Study, Margaret Curry

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Education for preventing type 2 diabetes in adolescents should be a high priority among school officials and healthcare providers. The purpose of this research study was to educate adolescents on type 2 diabetes and to increase awareness about this disease. The Health Promotion Model developed by Nola Pender was used as the theoretical framework for this study. A quasi-experimental before-after design was used. The seventh and eighth-grade students enrolled in physical education classes at a local school were recruited. Of the 57 students recruited, 47 completed the study. A diabetes education program geared towards kindergarten through eighth grade was used. …

Nurse Graduates’ Experiences With Pain Science – A Qualitative Study, Rachel Bee, Cynthia Goodrich

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Background: While the nursing profession has made great strides in pain management over the last 20 years, patients often report being under-assessed and undertreated for pain.

Purpose: The study purpose was to understand the lived experiences of practicing nurses who had completed a baccalaureate-level pain management course during their undergraduate training. The study aims included understanding how pain management skills were implemented in the clinical arena, determining barriers to implementing pain management skills, and identifying opportunities to improve the patient experience regarding pain management.

Design: The researchers implemented a qualitative methodology with a phenomenological design. Data collection consisted of semi-structured …

Framing Medical Mission Trip: Decisions With The Code Of Ethics For Nurses, Kelly Arraf

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

student reflection

A Review Of 3d Printing Technology In Drug Design Applications, Hasanain Shakir Mahmood, Jinan M. Al-Mousawy, Jamal Ali Ashoor, Ashti M.H. Saeed, Alaa Abdul Razzaq Al-Nuaimi, Pegah Khosravian

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Sustainable technologies such as Additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing (3D printing) have resulted in drastic changes in a number of industries including healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The current review focuses on the achievements accomplished on the effectiveness of three-dimensional printing in the field of drug designing and development. This technology is very precise and can be customized and that gives a way of developing complicated drug delivery systems and individualized medications. Promising areas of focus are the development of particular formulations of medicinal preparations, identification of new approaches to the drug release and potential creation of specific drug production for specific …

Piezosurgery - Modern Dentistry's Innovative Tool - A Review Article, Amjed Kadhim Al-Naaly, Ahmed Fadhel Al-Quisi

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: In implantology, piezosurgery is a novel and cutting-edge method of bone surgery. Various ultrasonic frequencies can be used for selective cutting, which preserves essential anatomical structures by only operating on solidified hard tissues. Piezoelectric osteotomy is a technique that can be used to precisely and safely prepare receptor sites for procedure implants, acquire bone grafts classified as autogenous (blocks and particles), perform osteotomies used for alveolar crest bone expansion, lift the maxillary sinus, and remove dental implants. Clinically and physiologically, the outcomes are outstanding, especially regarding osteocyte vitality.

Objectives: This review aims to highlight the advantages and …

Telemedicine In Pediatric Rheumatology: The Video Pediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, And Spine (V-Pgals), Zeynep Balik, Seher Şener, Yağmur Bayindir, Müşerref Kasap Cüceoğlu, Emi̇l Ali̇yev, Özge Başaran, Yelda Bi̇lgi̇ner, Seza Özen, Ezgi̇ Deni̇z Batu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Video pediatric gait, arms, leg, and spine (v-pGALS) is a virtual application of pediatric gait, arms, leg, and spine (pGALS) examination performed by video. We aimed to verify the applicability, validity, and accuracy of the Turkish translation of the v-pGALS in a large pediatric patient cohort.Materials and methods: Children aged 4-18 years were included between May and June 2022. A hands-on physical examination and v-pGALS were performed. Demographics, active symptoms, physical examination findings, diagnosis, and v-pGALS findings were recorded. The acceptability of v-pGALS by the parent/patient was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), in terms of additional distress …

Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice And The Zeigarnik-Ovsiankina Phenomenon As A Method Of Learning And Achieving Long-Term Retention Of Airway Management – A Longitudinal Observational Study, Kirsten R. Kim Sawtelle, Andrew L. Guymon, Valeriy Kozmenko

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Introduction: This study investigates the effectiveness of Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP) in preparing medical students for the AAMC's entrustable professional activity of airway management. The best simulation training technique for airway management remains unknown. RCDP is well-suited for simulation-based sequential and algorithmic tasks.

Methods: Sixty-seven second-year medical students participated in three one-hour sessions on Airway Management and IV Induction into Anesthesia. They were randomly assigned to control or test groups, practicing under traditional RCDP or RCDP+ Zeigarnik-Ovsiankina phenomenon (ZOP) learning methods, respectively. The control group completed the entire attempt before debriefing, while the test group restarted immediately after the …

Mitral Valve Prolapse With Syncope: Don’T Judge The Book By Its Cover! - Case Report, Ghadah A. Alarify, Lama A. Alrumaih, Sameer Qetab, Wael Alqarawi

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

A 33-year-old female with recurrent syncope episodes showed normal ECG and Holter results, but had mitral valve prolapse (MVP) with moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) on an echocardiogram. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) revealed mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) with fibrosis. She received an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Months later, she had a syncope correlating with self-terminating polymorphic VT (PMVT) preceded by narrow complex tachycardia, which was proven to be atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in an electrophysiology study. Post-ablation, she had no recurrences of syncope. This case highlights the importance of ILR in avoiding unnecessary ICDs in MVP patients with syncope. .

A Saudi Heart Association Position Statement On Obesity And Cardiovascular Disease, Waleed Alhabeeb, Abdulhalim J. Kinsara, Abeer Bakhsh, Adel Tash, Afaf Alshammary, Ali Almasood, Kamal Alghalayini, Mohammed Arafah, Osama Hamdy, Saud Alsifri, Suleiman M Kharabsheh, Wail Alkattan

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Objectives: The obesity pandemic is a major public health concern in Saudi Arabia, with significant impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD). This position statement aims to provide an overview of available evidence as well as the recommendations of the Saudi Heart Association on the management of obesity associated with CVD.

Methods: Under the auspices of the Saudi Heart Association, a multidisciplinary expert panel comprised of cardiologists and endocrinologists discussed available evidence and provided recommendations on the management of obesity in CVD. The expert panel discussions occurred between September of 2023 and May of 2024 and also took into consideration …

Iridoid Glucosides Against Staphylococcus Aureus Infection And Inhibit Inflammation On Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells, Yanfang Zhang, Ping Xu

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Staphylococcus aureus can cause diseases in humans and livestock, destroy the body barrier, exacerbate inflammation, and seriously threaten human health and animal husbandry development. Iridoid glucosides isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa, is an important Chinese tradition medicine widely used in various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the iridoid glucosides was effective against S. aureus infection, and inhibits inflammation on bovine mammary epithelial cells. The antibacterial potential was determined using the in vitro broth microdilution assay against S. aureus. Then, the antibiofilm activity was tested by BCA protein assay, electric conductivity assay and scanning electron …

Molecular Detection And Characterization Of Histomonas Meleagridis In Fighting Cocks Thailand, Piyanan Taweethavonsawat, Mangsatabam Norjit Singh, Sawang Kesdangsakonwut, Wanarit Jitsamai, Chongtham Sonia, Cherdpong Phupolpan

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Histomoniasis caused by the protozoa Histomonas meleagridis is a disease of gallinaceous birds which is of special importance to the poultry industry. The turkey is highly susceptible and results in high mortality. However, the disease is less severe in chickens but sometimes leads to mortality especially in those reared in the free-range system. During the present study, four dead fighting cocks were presented to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Livestock Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University for post-mortem examination. Based on history and pathological changes, it was preliminarily diagnosed as histomoniasis. The affected livers and caeca samples were collected …

Media Framing Of Environmental Issues In Jordanian Digital Newspapers, Ramez Abuhasirah, Rasha Salameh

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

This study investigated media framing of environmental issues in Jordanian digital newspapers. The study employed a media survey approach with content analysis of 335 journalistic articles published on the websites of three major Jordanian newspapers (Al-Ghad, Al-Dustour, Al-Rai) from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022. Multi-stage sampling ensured representativeness. Results showed all three Jordanian digital newspapers addressed environmental issues, with Al-Ghad leading (40%), followed by Al-Dustour (31%) and Al-Rai (29%). The study found a diversity of sources in journalistic treatment (officials: 29%, news agencies: 18.5%, journalists: 12.8%). Climate change (23.1%), water resources (17.3%), and food security (14.1%) were the …

University Students' Reliance In Hebron Governorate On Social Media As A Source Of Information About The October 7, 2023 War: A Field Study, Asmaa Musa Al-Adam, Sulaika Muhammad Al-Qadi

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

The study aimed to determine the extent to which university students in Hebron Governorate rely on social media platforms for coverage of the October 7th war. This study follows descriptive research, using a media audience survey methodology. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to a random sample of university students in Hebron Governorate, consisting of 211 students. The study reached several conclusions most notably: that the reliance of university students in Hebron Governorate on social media to follow news about the war on Gaza is high, with a percentage of 69.5%. The study also showed that there are cognitive, …

A Global Comparison Of Communication Intervention Strategies For Justice-Involved Youth, Sophia Janeiro Martinez

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Purpose: This paper explores the intricate relationship between communication disorders and delinquent youth behavior. It will explore the detrimental impact of zero-tolerance policies and their contribution to the school-to-prison pipeline. It will introduce issues, such as complex Miranda warning diction, and the benefits of including speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to aid in youth comprehension. Additionally, it will propose the integration of SLPs within the juvenile justice system to assist in communication between justice-involved youth (JIY) and justice professionals during conversations, questioning, and trials or hearings. Furthermore, this paper examines the roles of SLPs within juvenile justice systems abroad, including Canada, …

Art As An Intervention For Healing And Empowerment, Erin Barrus

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Komal Patel, an occupational therapist and artist residing in New Jersey, USA, provided the cover art for the Fall 2024 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Emotions” is a piece made from acrylic on canvas that depicts the emotional complexities the human mind goes through during a person’s experience or stage of life. The inspiration comes from her personal journey of moving to the United States from India and the emotional turbulence, both negative and positive, she experienced. Art has become part of the healing story for herself and others. She shares how incorporating this intervention leads …

Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders In Navajo Weavers, Ramona F. Yazzie, Kimberly Masker, Kristin Biggins

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Navajo Nation is one of the many reservations that lack access to health care services, leading to increasing chronic health conditions. Navajo rug weaving is a common creative occupation on the reservation. Navajo rug weaving involves multiple steps in creating a beautiful rug. The multiple steps include repetitive gripping, pinching, reaching, pulling, and prolonged sitting. Therefore, weavers are at risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), preventing individuals from participating in meaningful occupations. Occupational therapists have the skills to provide appropriate education through active listening, visual handouts, and family members. However, occupational therapists must demonstrate and understand cultural sensitivity to …

Social And Environmental Determinants Of Occupation And The Need For An Intersectional Approach To Culturally Meaningful Practice, Diane Smith

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

To provide culturally-centered care to clients and develop interventions that meet the client’s holistic needs, occupational therapists need to consider social and physical environments affecting participation in culturally meaningful occupations. Using a case study, this paper describes the use of the concept of social and environmental determinants of occupation (SEDO) as a necessary strategy to incorporate in clinical practice to determine how SEDO intersect, resulting in occupational justices/injustices that influence access to participation. SEDO are defined as broad (and intersecting) social and environmental factors that increase or limit an individual, community, or population’s ability to participate in culturally meaningful occupations …

Moving Toward Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy For Autistic People: Key Questions And Next Steps, Aaron Dallman, Kathryn Williams, Jacklyn Boheler, Greg Boheler

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

With the rise in popularity of neurodiversity-affirming practices in occupational therapy, specifically with the autistic population, there is a need to establish a more robust theoretical underpinning for this work. A neurodiversity framework is different from the prevailing medical model that informs current practice in much of Westernized health care, and interested occupational therapists are now asking questions about how to apply it to their work. Occupational science is well-suited to generate research outside the medical model that can serve as a basic science foundation to inform practice. The purpose of this Opinions in the Profession paper is to suggest …

Teaching Occupational Adaptation Using Constructs Of The Model, Linda R. Struckmeyer, Anna B. Galloway

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. Quality, evidence-based health care practice and research is guided by theory; therefore, theory should be one of the first courses in health care professional curriculums. Signature andragogical methods of case-based learning, small and large group discussion, active learning, and self-reflection developed the teaching and learning activities to teach the occupational adaptation (OA) model in this study.

Methods. A mixed-methods design of qualitative open-ended questions and quantitative survey were used to measure student understanding and application of theoretical concepts. The lab assignment integrated andragogical methods, the use of the Relative Mastery Measurement Scale (RMMS) for individual and social adaptation, and …

Mapping The Way Forward: Prioritizing Education For Global Occupational Therapy Practice In Addressing Sexuality And Intimacy - A Delphi Approach, Beth Ann Walker, Jenn Soros, Abbie Alter, Bridget Downs, Courtney Cummings, Ireland G. Greenwell, Kayla Elstien, Kyli Luna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The World Health Organization identifies sexual functions and intimate relationships as a functioning domain in the Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation (WHO, 2023). Addressing sexual functions and intimate relationships is a key area of practice for occupational therapists (Walker et al., 2020), and it is important to ensure that occupational therapists are prepared to address this important domain. With the worldwide call to ensure the sexuality and intimacy needs of individuals receiving rehabilitation services are addressed, it is time to establish a new direction for education, practice, and research. This study used a Delphi approach to gather and analyze evidence, …

Incorporating Real-Time Simulated Patient And Instructor Feedback To Enhance Simulation Learning Experience For Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Lauren Woods, Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei, Kuan Xing

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Health care simulation experiences should provide clear feedback that students can understand and incorporate into future practice. Based on the literature, more research is needed regarding how health professional students use various types of feedback to establish rapport with clients, increase critical thinking skills, and work collaboratively. Various types of feedback may be useful in regular simulation-based education, but there is limited research on how students integrate various feedback to enhance skill development. This study aimed to examine how occupational therapy (OT) students incorporate real-time Simulated Patient (SP) feedback, numerical feedback, and instructor-written feedback to enhance their learning from the …

Choosing Wisely® In Academia, Strategies For Clinical And Classroom Curricula, Jennifer Tokash, Glen Gillen, Virginia Koenig

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) into occupational therapy (OT) program curricula is best practice and mandated by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The Choosing Wisely® campaign, founded by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and adopted by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), provides 10 recommendations for evidence-based OT. This project focused on the Choosing Wisely® campaign's incorporation into OT program curricula. A 40-min educational program focusing on the history of Choosing Wisely®, its adoption by the AOTA as a specialty society partner, and strategies to bridge the campaign's evidence-based recommendations from classroom to clinical experience were …

Material Matters: A Comparative Analysis Of Hand Immobilization Orthoses Using 3d-Printed, Thermoplastic, And Fiberglass Cast, Shiori Domenighetti, Rebecca Ozelie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Orthosis fabrication is a widely used technique in occupational therapy, and there is growing evidence supporting the use of 3D printing in the fabrication of cost-effective orthotics. Nevertheless, further research is needed to enable informed decision-making when selecting appropriate orthotic materials.

Method: A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the fabrication processes and final products of thumb immobilization orthosis made with three different materials from the fabricator’s perspective. Factors examined included the required equipment and materials, assessment of time and skills involved in the fabrication process, evaluation of ease of adjustment during fabrication, and objective measurements of …

"I Have A Story To Tell Them": Qualitative Analsysis Of Interviews With Formerly Homeless Adults, Rachel Lee, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Adults experiencing homelessness (AEH) make up an underserved community, especially in receipt of occupational therapy (OT) services. While there is growing knowledge on the occupational needs of this community, little is known of the occupational needs of AEH to successfully sustain housing long-term. The primary objective of this study is to describe the lived experiences of adults who have successfully transitioned to stable housing after a long period of homelessness. The secondary objective is to use findings to identify key areas for OT intervention with adults immediately following homelessness.

Method: The participants included five adults 25 years …

Continuing Professional Development Preferences Of Occupational Therapy Providers In Kenya, Rwanda, And Tanzania, Angela M. Cecil, Godrey S. Kimathy, Margie N. Koech, Epiphanie Murebwayire, Pierre Damien Turikumana

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study was conducted to explore the continuing professional development (CPD) preferences of occupational therapists in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania for identifying and developing CPD opportunities to meet professional licensure requirements that are new to these countries.

Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study design was conducted using a 28-item electronic survey that targeted occupational therapists in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data were studied through content and thematic analysis.

Results: Seventy-eight (78) participants completed the study, and the majority were male (60.5%). Most of the participants were from Tanzania, and most participants …

The Experience Of Burnout Of Rehabilitation Therapists In Long-Term Care Settings: A Qualitative Exploration, Christine Hughes, Lisa Borrero, Laura Santurri, Heidi Ewen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Burnout among health care workers is growing among long-term care staff, with various repercussions. Research about how rehabilitation therapists (occupational, physical, and speech) perceive and experience burnout in such settings is limited. Understanding these experiences with burnout in long-term care is necessary to address burnout. This study investigated rehabilitation therapists' perceptions of and experiences with burnout while working in long-term care.

Method: The researcher used a qualitative interpretive approach to guide audio-recorded and transcribed interviews. The data were analyzed through coding and then themes were developed.

Results: Six themes emerged: causes of stress and burnout, individual …

The Development, Content Validation, And Clinical Utility Of Mealtime Screening For Schools (Mealss), Karen B. Howarth, Julia M. Guzman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study aimed to determine the initial content validity and clinical utility of Mealtime Screening for School (MEALSS), a new screening tool that measures mealtime participation in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities 5 to 10 years of age.

Methods: To determine the content validity of MEALSS, the researchers recruited five participants identified as pediatric occupational therapists and/or feeding experts to review the MEALSS. Item level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale level validity (S-CVI) were calculated, as well as modified kappa indices to reduce the probability of chance agreement. MEALSS was then revised based on feedback from the …