Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Staff Education To Improve Medicare Lung Cancer Screening And Processes, Ashley Mccammon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The doctoral project was a staff education initiative to address underutilization of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening among Medicare-eligible patients at the project site. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and LDCT screening reduces mortality by up to 20%. Internal data from the project site revealed that only 20.13% of eligible patients completed screening, underscoring the need for structured staff education to improve knowledge and support early detection. The practice focused question asked: Will a staff education on Medicare LDCT screening and processes increase staff knowledge towards the ultimate goal of increasing LDCT screening rates? …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline For Discharging Patients With Substance Use Disorder (Sud) From Outpatient Treatment To Community Care, Emmanuel Onyeani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a gap in practice in an outpatient treatment center for discharging patients with substance use disorder (SUD), addressing the need for follow-up care and relapse prevention due to the widespread impact of SUD. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) help healthcare professionals make informed decisions for specific clinical situations. The guiding question asked whether an expert panel would evaluate and validate a CPG developed from current, evidence-based literature and recommendations with 70% agreement using the AGREE II tool. The CPG focused on continuity of care, access to resources, and relapse prevention strategies. Seven expert …

Google Search Trends And Their Correlation With Covid-19 Cases And Vaccination Rates In Austria, Stefanie Wendell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Timely digital surveillance is essential because clinical reporting often lags. This quantitative, longitudinal correlational study tested whether weekly Google searches in Austria signal changes in COVID-19 cases and vaccination uptake, and short-term case-vaccination dynamics, guided by Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory. Weekly Google Trends indices (0-100) and nationally reported surveillance totals (weekly counts of new cases and vaccine doses) were aggregated; cases: N = 175 weeks (Feb 2020–Jun 2023); vaccinations: N = 132 weeks (Dec 2020–Jun 2023). Time series correlations and lagged growth models showed that symptom-related searches consistently rose 1 week before reported cases (Δlog cases_t on Δlog searches_{t−1}: …

Enhancing Home Health Nursing Knowledge Through Targeted Education On Polypharmacy Risk Awareness In Older Adults, Chinyeaka Linda Ogbonna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education initiative addressed the problem of polypharmacy, a common issue in home health care that increases the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and hospitalizations. Nurses and aides often provide daily care but may not recognize high-risk medications or warning symptoms. Addressing this gap was vital to nursing practice because staff are on the front line of patient monitoring and safety. The practice-focused question asked whether structured education for home health staff would improve knowledge of polypharmacy risks by 20%, increase recognition of high-risk medications by 75%, and result in at least 75% …

The Barriers And Facilitators Of Maternal Influenza Vaccination, Rashida Karida Jones

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Influenza remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with Black individuals disproportionately affected. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable due to their modulated immune state, placing them at increased risk of complications, hospitalization, and intensive care admission. Despite strong evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of maternal seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), uptake remains suboptimal. This study employed a multi-method design to identify barriers and facilitators of maternal SIV uptake, with a particular focus on racial disparities.

Quantitative analyses utilized the Florida Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (FL PRAMS) dataset from the years 2018–2022. In the fully …

Improving Cpr Confidence And Competence Of Medical-Surgical Nurse Residents, Anthony Joseph Alvarado

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Novice nurses often lack cardiac arrest training, jeopardizing patient outcomes and staff confidence. This pilot project addressed gaps in CPR preparedness, early recognition, timely response, and confidence among nurse residents. The goal was to develop, implement, and evaluate a competency-based code blue simulation to strengthen the residents’ knowledge and skills. Professional Development Specialists will learn strategies for integrating a code blue simulation experience into a nurse residency curriculum to enhance patient safety.

Enhancing Diabetes Self-Management Education And Support Knowledge And Awareness Among Nurses, Tamba Sam-Manimoi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects 12% of the United States population at an annual cost of $412.9 billion. In the local clinic, 20% of the patient population has a diagnosis of DM. Despite the importance of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) in managing DM, patients are often not educated on this important strategy. Leadership identified that patients were reporting a lack of knowledge regarding DSMES practices and that the nurses lacked the necessary knowledge and awareness to educate patients in DSMES. Thus, the purpose of this DNP project was to determine if an educational intervention focused on DM and DSMES …

Increasing Pediatric Hpv Vaccination Rates, Brooke A. Nicholas

Dissertations

Increasing Pediatric HPV Vaccination Rates

Abstract

Problem: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that affects more than 80% of the population within the United States (Eisenhauer et al., 2020). HPV can develop into cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers (Eisenhauer et al., 2020). About 4,000 individuals die from cervical cancer alone each year (O’Leary, 2022). The HPV vaccine, though recommended by the ACIP and AAP, is below national vaccination rates in comparison to other vaccines (O’Leary, 2022).

Methods: This quality improvement project is a non-randomized controlled trial that observed HPV vaccine dose completion rates for patients aged 9-14 …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Cognitive Performance In African American Older Adults, Rio S. Tate

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The number of older adults in the United States is expected to increase in the years to come. As we age, cognitive performance is noted to decline. African American older adults are more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to experience cognitive impairment and dementia. It is known that physical activity is a modifiable risk factor for dementia. It is not known the extent to which physical activity engagement is related to cognitive performance in African American older adults, and which variables, if any, moderate this association. To answer this question, the authors examined the association between three intensities of physical activity …

Quality Improvement Project: Impact Of Educational Intervention On Post-Acute And Long-Term Care Staff's Confidence And Accuracy In Aims Screening For Tardive Dyskinesia, Tana Whitt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a chronic, often irreversible movement disorder associated with prolonged antipsychotic use. In post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings, inconsistent Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) screening practices and limited clinician education contribute to under recognition and delayed treatment. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project evaluated whether an educational intervention impacted clinicians’ knowledge, confidence, and perceived importance of AIMS screening among licensed and unlicensed PALTC staff. Guided by Donabedian’s Model of Quality and Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, the project used a pre-test/post-test design to measure outcomes before and after completion of the Drug-Induced Movement …

Practical Real-Time Permanent Magnet Energy Spectrometer Using A Diode Array For Therapeutic Electron Beam Tuning And Quality Assurance, Mason W. Heath

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Purpose: Develop a practical, real-time permanent magnet electron energy spectrometer and evaluate it for beam tuning and quality assurance (QA) of therapeutic electron beams.

Methods: Aim 1: A 0.55 T permanent magnet was coupled to Sun Nuclear SRS MapCHECK® PC boards, providing two interlaced diode arrays. Detector response, R_meas(z_diode) versus diode position z_diode, was extracted from raw diode array readings, correcting for diode sensitivity and other factors. Using Monte Carlo (MC) computed, monoenergetic detector response functions, a curve-fitting algorithm extracted the energy spectrum, from R_meas(z_diode). The energy spectra for 7-20 …

E-Counseling Platform For Seafarers’ Sound Mental Health : Prospects And Challenges To Implement Globally On-Board Ships, Farzana Yasmin

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Link Between Mental Health And Physical Health : A Study On Seafarers In Southeast Asia, - Dewi Balqis Binti Azfar

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Progression Of Deinstitutionalization And Its Effects On The American South: A Judicial Analysis Of 20th-Century United States Supreme Court Decisions, Eva-Marie V. Jones

Honors College Theses

This thesis explores the effects of four landmark Supreme Court cases on the deinstitutionalization movement in the American south. Previous literature frequently discusses the legislative implications of this era; however, no law is applicable without the interpretation and application of the judiciary, which so often contextualizes the greater public perspective. Rarely has an analysis of judicial decisions involving psychiatric care merged with regional focus, and certainly not in a format accessible to the average individual.

From unmarked graves to abandoned infrastructure, the legacy of historic psychiatric care in the United States has been largely obscured – yet its consequences continue …

Hypertension Prevention Program And Its Effects On Blood Pressure Levels Among Young Adults In A Christian Community In Southwest Michigan, Cindel Hollancid

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Although the majority of patients who present are adults over the age of 40 years old; with blood pressures ranging from 140/88 – 190/110 and many times higher readings, it was intriguing and important to assess whether a direct intervention, teaching young adults ages 18 – 39 years the benefits of lifestyle choices would be beneficial as a preventative measure to implement for hypertension reduction patterns as one ages. According to Hinton et al. (2019), hypertension affects 1 in 8 adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years old and is thus common among young people; with the …

Pharmacogenomics Of Statin Therapy In The Uae: Genetic Predictors Of Adverse Effects, Treatment Discontinuation, And Feasibility For Clinical Implementation In A Multiethnic Population, Mais Noman Al Qasrawi

Dissertations

Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet their use is frequently complicated by adverse drug reactions (ADRs) such as statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) and liver enzyme elevations. These ADRs often lead to premature discontinuation and non-adherence, ultimately limiting the full therapeutic potential of lipid-lowering therapies. Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing has emerged as a promising strategy to personalize statin treatment, particularly by identifying genetic variants that influence statin metabolism, transport, and toxicity. Although key PGx biomarkers such as SLCO1B1, ABCG2, and CYP2C9 have been studied extensively in global populations, their relevance …

Effects Of Aromatherapy On Promoting Sleep In Patients With Neurological Deficits, Cherylle R. Reed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reliance on sleep aids in neurological patient population can lead to negative side effects and compromise patient safety. The purpose of this doctoral nursing project was to determine if the implementation of McDonnell and Newcomb’s aromatherapy process will reduce the incidence of sleep-promoting medication administration as compared to the current practice in neurological deficit patients over 4 weeks. A quantitative, quasi-experimental design evaluated effects on sleep quality and pharmacological sleep aids by using McDonnell and Newcomb’s aromatherapy combination of lavender, bergamot, and ylang ylang essential oils placed on a cotton ball at the patient’s bedside each night. The sample included …

Developing Clinical Judgment In Nursing Students Using Discourse With Meaningful Feedback, Explanatory Mixed Methods Design, Annissa C. Jackson

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

The competency of clinical judgment in new nurses leading to safe practice has declined. The integrated clinical education theory posits discourse with meaningful feedback between nurse educators and pre-licensure students during clinical experiences enhances the development of clinical judgment. Quantitative evidence is needed for efficacy of clinical teaching using discourse with meaningful feedback. The hypothesis for this study was implementation of discourse with meaningful feedback between the academic nurse educator and the pre-licensure student nurse in direct patient care will improve the development of clinical judgment in students compared to the development of clinical judgment in students exposed to other …

Mosquito Classification And Explainability From Image Data Via Deep Learning Techniques, Farhat Binte Azam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth, responsible for more human deaths annually than any other species. Mosquito-borne illnesses continue to pose severe risks to global health. In 2015 alone, there were an estimated 214 million malaria cases worldwide. Similarly, a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that Puerto Rico’s Department of Health received over 62,500 suspected cases of Zika, with 29,345 confirmed positive cases. In 2019, Southeast Asia experienced its worst dengue outbreak in recorded history. Of the approximately 4,500 mosquito species distributed across 34 genera, …

The Ruling Relations Of Care: An Institutional Ethnography Of High-Risk Prenatal Care Experiences, Nicole L. Harris

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Disrespect during pregnancy, labor, and delivery is common in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that approximately one in five women overall, and over 30% of Black women, report being ignored, dismissed, or verbally mistreated during their care. Public health efforts have primarily focused on individual-level interventions to improve patient-provider communication or reduce provider bias; however, these strategies have been critiqued for their limited scope and effectiveness in shifting outcomes. Instead, researchers and advocates have called for an examination of the structures that shape clinical encounters, including policies, protocols, workflows, and organizational culture. This …

Exploring Public Health Nurses’ Perceptions Of Syringe Services Programs In Southern Rural Areas, Joel Lowery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public health nurses are potentially key stakeholders in syringe services program (SSP) implementation in rural areas, where they can act as liaisons between public health, private healthcare, and the community. However, little research reflects an in-depth understanding of how public health nurses perceive SSPs in rural areas. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of syringe services programs held by public health nurses practicing in rural areas with no existing SSPs in southern states and ascertain their potential roles in facilitating harm reduction for people who inject drugs. This study was guided by a conceptual framework …

Enhancing Medication Adherence In Primary Care Settings Through Staff Education, Sabita Bhusal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was an evidence-based staff education initiative addressing medication nonadherence in hypertension, a critical issue that contributes to poor health outcomes, uncontrolled blood pressure, preventable hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs. The identified gap in practice was defined by limited staff knowledge, lack of structured training, and inconsistent application of evidence-based adherence counseling strategies. The practice-focused question was: In a primary care clinic, will an evidence-based staff education program on medication adherence increase staff knowledge? A structured training intervention was implemented and then evaluated for its effectiveness. Descriptive statistics and a paired t test comparing pre- …

Nurse Residency Program: Improving Staff Awareness Through Education, Cynthia Kay Butterman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Across the health care continuum, organizations face persistent nursing shortages and the challenge of integrating novice nurses into clinical practice, often with limited skills and underdeveloped critical thinking abilities. Nurse residency programs have been integrated by many facilities to provide support for new novice nurses in transitioning from academia to the professional nursing role. This quantitative, quasi-experimental research project was conducted at a community-based hospital with an existing 8- to 10-week nurse residency program that had very limited stakeholder involvement. The purpose of the project was to create an educational training module for key stakeholders to strengthen awareness of why …

Perspectives Of Nursing Faculty On The Barriers, Opportunities, And Teaching Strategies For Developing Peer Feedback Skills Among Entry-Level Nursing Students, Anna Kornienko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Peer feedback benefits nursing education and practice by fostering collegial relationships and promoting the quality of care, yet students often lack training to engage effectively. While existing research has examined student perspectives, the experiences and strategies employed by nursing faculty remain underexplored. The purpose of this qualitative study, guided by the student feedback literacy framework, was to explore the perspectives of nursing faculty on the barriers, opportunities, and strategies for developing peer feedback skills among undergraduate nursing students. Seventeen Canadian nursing faculty participated in semi-structured virtual interviews. Analysis revealed five themes that aligned with the study’s three foci: strategies (a) …

Staff Education To Enhance Therapeutic Communication In Community Clinic Settings, Marian Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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A Clinical Practice Guideline For Managing Gastrointestinal Toxicities Related To Glp-1ra And Gip/Glp-1ra Medications, Lindsay Williamson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The project is a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for managing Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities related to Glucagon-like Peptide-Receptor Agonist 1 (GLP-1RA) and Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/Glucagon-like peptide-1Receptor Agonist (GIP/GLP-1RA) medications. Many patients are seeking weight loss with these agents, which cause GI toxicities that lead prescribers to have patients remain at lower doses that are sub-therapeutic or discontinue therapy. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are prescribing these therapies for patients and lack an evidence-based CPG for properly managing the most common GI toxicities. APRNs can successfully monitor and manage GI symptoms to promote tolerability and treatment adherence. The project question focuses on …

Cancer Screening Disparities Among Women With Disabilities In The United States, Kathleen Young

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast and cervical cancer screening reduces mortality; however, women with disabilities and mental health challenges experience persistent disparities in access to preventive services. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationships between self-reported serious difficulty hearing, serious difficulty seeing, and frequent mental distress with breast (mammogram) and cervical (Pap test) cancer screening use among women in the United States (mammogram model, n = 844; Pap model n = 774), using the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset. The social-ecological model provided the framework. Two logistic regression models were conducted, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, marital …

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention Staff Education For Medical- Surgical Nurses, Grace Ann Abustan Porciuncula

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Background: CLABSIs remain a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs, particularly in hospitalized patients requiring long-term vascular access. Despite established guidelines, inconsistent adherence to central line dressing change protocols persists within the DNP project organization, often due to insufficient staff knowledge and variability in practice. This practice gap increases the risk of catheter site contamination and leads to preventable CLABSI events, creating a clear need for intervention. Method: A designed educational program that integrated interactive lectures, case studies, and simulation-based activities. A pre- and post-intervention assessment to measure changes in participants’ knowledge and self-reported confidence in applying …

Psychoeducation For Community Support Workers To Decrease No Call And No-Show Rates In An Outpatient Mental Health Facility, Promise Lum Ngongwashi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Missed appointments remain a critical issue in health care, as they contribute to poorer patient health outcomes, treatment discontinuity, and increased system costs. Improving staff knowledge in this area is essential for ensuring timely, equitable, and effective patient care. This doctoral project was a staff education initiative designed to enhance community support workers (CSWs’) knowledge of methods for encouraging patient adherence to clinic appointments through psychoeducational training. The practice problem addressed was the inconsistency in staff use of evidence-based strategies to motivate and support patients in maintaining clinic attendance. The practice-focused question guiding the project was: Does psychoeducation improve CSWs’ …

Hiv/Aids Among Young People In South Sudan: Assessing Misconceptions About Transmission, Healthcare Access, And Cultural/Religious Factors, John Valent Abore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to be a significant public health challenge among young people in South Sudan (SSD). Despite global efforts to curb the spread of HIV, misconceptions about HIV transmission, barriers to access to healthcare services, and cultural/religious factors that affect the epidemic persist in South Sudan, and it is not obvious how these factors interact to impact outcomes. This quantitative cross-sectional study investigated whether there is a relationship between misconceptions about HIV transmission and HIV/AIDS status and whether access to healthcare and cultural/religious factors mediate this relationship among young people (aged 18–35) in SSD. A secondary data analysis …