Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Implications Of Occupational Therapy In Veterans Returning And Reintegrating Into Higher Education, Michael Siyluy

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

There is the need to expand the resources and support in the student veteran population for return and reintegration in higher education.

Promoting Effective Dental Care For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Trina Hoang

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Problem/Purpose: Increase awareness of the challenges that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder face at the dental office. Advocating for the role of Occupational Therapy (OT) in dental care. Bridging communication between OT and dentistry.

Exploring Mental Health Utilization Among First-Generation College Students, Sophia Kohgadai

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Background & Purpose: One or more parents did not earn a 4-year college degree. Compared to their non-firstgeneration peers, First Generation College Students face higher rates of unaddressed mental health issues and other unique challenges. Despite reporting greater symptom distress, they are less likely to utilize psychological services on campuses.

Enhancing Health Literacy Among Spanish-Speaking Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Christie Ledezma

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Parkinson’s disease may be significantly under-represented and inadequately treated in rural areas, specifically in the Spanish-speaking community due to lower health literacy levels and limited resources. Project: Determine barriers faced by Spanish-speaking individuals with Parkinson’s disease and implement into solutions.

Empowering Kidney Transplant Recipients: The Role Of Occupational Therapy For A Successful Transition Into Emerging Adulthood, Courtney Heller

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

The transition into adulthood for kidney transplant recipients includes both the move from pediatric to adult healthcare settings and developmental shifts to pursue milestones associated with early adulthood. This period is marked by immense change and vulnerability where AYA kidney transplant recipients are at a heightened risk for negative health outcomes. There is a need to improve policies, protocols, and cement best practices to equip and empower young transplant recipients to thrive into adulthood with their gift of life.

Growing Through The Senses: A Sensory Garden Approach To Support Emotional Regulation And Sensory Awareness In Young Adults With Visual Impairments, Deanne Nguyen

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Young adults with visual impairments are at a greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges. Encounter unique challenges that impact emotional, social, and personal development.

Enhancing Response Through Occupational Therapy: Neurodiversity & Mental Health Training For First Responders, Haley De Los Santos

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Problem Statement: Lack of specific training protocol in the following areas; complex neurological, physiological, cognitive, and physical diversity. First responders are not adequately trained respond to complex, diverse calls within the community.

From Plan To Practice: Enhancing Lifestyle Management Through Effective Carry Over Strategies Using Occupational Therapy Perspective, Josephine Hernandez

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Explore and build on existing knowledge of occupational therapy’s role in lifestyle management techniques through embodied experience. Explore evidence-based research on embodied interventions with multidisciplinary care. Explore and exercise advocacy skills within a multidisciplinary team. Explore and apply marketing and outreach initiatives for increased community awareness of resources.

Form And Function : Ot In The Beauty Industry, Sheng Kaitlan Vang

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

This capstone project purposes to address the high risk of musculoskeletal injuries among cosmetologists by integrating occupational therapy (OT) principles to promote ergonomic awareness and safe body mechanics by embedding injury prevention education into cosmetology training using the CEAS framework.

Play For All: Addressing Barriers And Promoting Equity In Sports Participation For Children With Disabilities, Kayla Swank

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Whether a child has a physical, cognitive, or invisible disability, there are many situations in which they aren’t given equal access to participate in team sports, individual sports, or physical activity in general.

Reclaiming Your Body, Reframing Your Mind: An Ot Perspective On Postpartum Exercise Participation, Abigail Waisner

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Perinatal Mental Health conditions affect up to 84% of birthing women. These include: Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, Bipolar Disorders, and Psychosis. These mental health challenges may be influenced by stress, lack of sleep, role changes, family history, social determinants of health, etc.

Effectiveness Of An Educational Program To Enhance Medication Adherence Knowledge For Licensed Vocational Nurses In An Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic, Imelda Okoli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education project focused on the practice problem of a knowledge deficit of licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) related to evidence-based medication adherence strategies for psychiatric patients. The practice-focused question addressed how effective an education would be for improving medication adherence knowledge, confidence, and practice readiness among LVNs in an outpatient psychiatric clinic. It is important to address this practice gap because insufficient knowledge of medication adherence could limit LVNs’ ability to engage patients and foster higher medication adherence. Participants were nine LVNs working in an outpatient psychiatric facility who attended face-to-face education sessions. LVNs completed a pretest, followed by …

Identifying And Addressing Maternal Health Needs: Using Occupational Therapy To Empower, Educate, And Support Mothers, Anne K. Lyles

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

There is a critical need for extended maternal support, particularly when viewed through the lens of occupational therapy. This capstone project aimed to address this gap by conducting a needs assessment using the Maternal Occupational Therapy Health & Environment Risk Screening (MOTHERS) to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges mothers face during the prenatal and postpartum periods. Findings from the needs assessment informed the development of practical, evidence-based resources—including digital products, social media content, educational flyers, and a virtual course—designed to support postpartum mothers in a format that is both accessible and empowering.

Integrating Occupation-Based Activities And Habit Training To Support Independence In Senior Living Facilities, Jamie Spangler

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed at Seaside at Fort Myers, a senior living facility encompassing Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL), and Memory Care (MC) settings. The primary objective was to promote independence among older adults through two occupational therapy-informed initiatives: the development and facilitation of a structured habit training program and the creation of a practical activity planning checklist for staff. The 4-week habit training program focused on supporting daily routine development using analog tools such as calendars, checklists, and simulated planning tasks. These sessions targeted cognitive functions commonly impacted by aging, including task initiation, planning, and consistency. …

Maternal Mortality In Zambia: Associations With Health Services Utilization, Birth Spacing, And Province, Selina Mubwanga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mortality remains one of the leading public health issues in Zambia characterized by elevated maternal mortality rates among women of reproductive age. This research study investigated the effect of birth spacing, province type and location, and maternal health services utilization on maternal deaths among women in the Lusaka, Eastern, Central, and North-Western provinces of Zambia. The theoretical underpinning of this investigation drew upon the social-ecological systems framework. Using secondary data from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) of 1,868 women aged 15–49 years, the study adopted a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed …

A Toolkit For Treating Obesity In Children With Metabolic Syndrome, Karen Mayers-Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project seeks to bridge the existing knowledge gap in using Metformin to manage childhood obesity in patients with metabolic syndrome. The primary goal was to develop a complete toolkit to educate healthcare providers on utilizing Metformin in obese children with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, characterized by higher triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased blood pressure, elevated fasting plasma glucose, and increased waist circumference, offers considerable health hazards for children. The practice-focused question is, Is the toolkit deemed useful to providers for treating obesity in children with metabolic syndrome using metformin?” The project employed the theory of planned behavior, …

Falls Risk And Prevention: Improving Staff Knowledge, Ashley Vargas Delarosa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Objective This project aimed to enhance nursing staff knowledge and engagement in evidence-based fall prevention strategies, addressing the practice problem of inconsistent staff education and the absence of a standardized fall prevention protocol, contributing to high patient fall rates in acute care settings. Design The project employed an educational session both in-person and online. A pre- and post-test education design, utilizing knowledge assessments (pre-test and post-test) and qualitative feedback to evaluate the impact of a structured education program on nursing staff knowledge related to fall prevention. The education module focused on risk assessment tools, including the Morse Fall Scale, and …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Phq-9 Use, Grace Eluma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The DNP project revolved around educating healthcare staff on using a depression screening tool known as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Undiagnosed depression can affect people’s quality of life, their functional condition, and general health outcomes, making it a significant problem that needs to be addressed. The U.S Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends using evidence-based screening tools such as the PHQ-9 to assess, diagnose, and monitor the condition’s severity. However, a few nurses use this tool despite being aware of it or misusing it, resulting in under-utilization, inappropriate assessment, and increased events. The project aimed to implement a staff …

Dosimetric Evaluation Of Clearsight Bolus Versus Superflab Bolus For Vmat Head And Neck Treatment, Courtney M. Williams

Masters Projects

This study compares the dosimetric performance and fit accuracy of ClearSight and Superflab boluses in head and neck (HN) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans, focusing on dose distribution and air gap volumes. A RANDO anthropomorphic phantom was used to simulate HN VMAT treatment for oral cavity cancer with positive lymph nodes, prescribed 70 Gy in 35 fractions. Four configurations were tested: ClearSight bolus over a thermoplastic mask (CSO), ClearSight under a mask (CSU), Superflab over a mask (SFO), and Superflab under a mask (SFU). Five computed tomography (CT) scans, one without bolus and four with bolus, were performed …

Policy Change: Analysis Of Public Health Policies To Address Issues With Inclusivity Within The Hiring Process, Donna Barnes

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project evaluated employee satisfaction with inclusivity efforts in a community health department setting prior to and after revisions to hiring and promotion policies. Interventions promoting and fostering inclusion efforts amongst employees in the healthcare setting have been linked to the best practice standards of increased patient satisfaction and improvements in outcomes. The purpose was to determine if policy revisions resulted in feelings of belonging to improve organizational culture towards inclusion, which has been demonstrated as a widespread problem in many workplace settings. Using Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory as a guiding framework and the FOCUS-PDSA model to …

Kid Power: Mastering Asthma Management To Keep Hospitals Away!, Kriste L. Moret

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Pediatric asthma remains a leading cause of preventable hospitalizations, particularly in California’s Central Valley, where environmental and health disparities worsen symptoms. Many children are discharged without understanding their Asthma Action Plan (AAP) or feeling confident in symptom management.

Context: On a unit in a community hospital in this high-risk region, asthma-related admissions persisted. Gaps in discharge education highlighted the need for a structured intervention. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement (MFI) guided this effort.

Intervention: A nurse-led, developmentally appropriate asthma education bundle was implemented. Teaching began on admission and was reinforced using teach-back, color-coded AAPs, culturally …

Best Practices To Prevent Nurse Burnout And Reduce Turnover In The Hospital, Bernice Marie Yale

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem Nursing is facing a crisis in workforce well-being, and trends indicate signs and symptoms of burnout. Increasing turnover rates, emotional exhaustion, staff depersonalization, and team disengagement have resulted in a perceived toxic environment in a hospital-based microsystem.

Context A 4-month project was initiated to improve morale and communication. Several assessment tools were utilized to foster a high-performing team and reinforce principles of Watson’s theory of caring.

Interventions Optimization of required daily leader rounds to encourage patient participation, and monthly 1:1 “direct report” rounds (n=65) were conducted to assess well-being, workplace stressors, and promote job satisfaction.

Measures To improve …

Dosimetric Comparison Of Organ-At-Risk Constraints Across Multi-Resolution Levels In Eclipse Planning Optimization, Ji Hyun Jeon

Masters Projects

Background: In inverse treatment planning, the timing of applying organ-at-risk (OAR) constraints during the optimization process can influence dosimetric outcomes. This study investigates the effects of introducing OAR constraints at different stages of the multi-resolution optimization process within the Eclipse Treatment Planning System (TPS).

Purpose: To determine the optimal resolution level for applying OAR constraints that achieves the best dosimetric balance between target coverage and normal tissue sparing.

Methods: Thirteen prostate cancer treatment plans were generated using an anonymized pelvic CT dataset from The Cancer Imaging Archive. All plans were developed in GVSU Virtual Eclipse TPS using the Photon Optimizer …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program In Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections, Peta Ann Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project is an evaluation of a quality improvement initiative that applied a mixed method approach to evaluate the impact of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) on hand hygiene (HH) compliance and healthcare-associated infection rates. The project was conducted in the United States of America (USA), Florida in an acute care hospital. The practice problem addressed was the persistent low adherence to HH protocols among healthcare staff, a critical issue in nursing practice due to its direct link to preventable patient harm. Quantitative data demonstrated a substantial reduction in infection rates following the implementation of the CUSP program. …

Staff Education To Increase Staff Knowledge On Pressure Injury Prevention, Sunita Khati

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pressure injuries (PIs) are unfortunate events that can impact all healthcare system stakeholders. In-patient nursing units such as medical surgical (med surg) units are facing challenges in nursing practice in initiating prevention measures and reducing the incidents of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs). The nursing staff’s lack of knowledge can lead to nursing practice issues, poor patient outcomes, and be costly. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project was to educate nursing staff in initiating pressure injury (PI) prevention measures to avoid HAPI events in the hospital. The practice-focused question examined if providing education to med …

Staff Education To Improve Stroke Management Knowledge Among Medical-Surgical Emergency Department Overflow Staff Nurses, Andrea Terri Branch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This quality improvement initiative aimed to enhance stroke knowledge through an evidence-based staff education program for medical-surgical emergency department (ED) overflow nurses. The impetus for the project stemmed from recognition of the need for enhancing prompt response and communication during acute stroke events. Variations in stroke knowledge among nursing staff contributed to delays in recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms. The practice-focused question guiding this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed whether the implementation of an evidence-based stroke education program could improve nursing knowledge. The purpose of the project was to evaluate whether an evidence-based stroke education program …

Staff Education To Address Medication Noncompliance In Outpatient Behavioral Health Settings, Elmase Nicolas Toussaint

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quality improvement project is a staff education initiative designed to address psychotropic medication noncompliance in an outpatient behavioral health clinic setting. The project arose from the identification of a significant gap in staff knowledge and confidence related to medication adherence strategies. Medication noncompliance in psychiatric care is associated with symptom exacerbation, increased hospitalization, and poorer patient outcomes, making it a critical issue in nursing practice. The practice-focused question guiding the project was: In an outpatient behavioral health clinic setting, does implementing a structured staff education program improve staff knowledge and confidence in addressing medication noncompliance? Analytical strategies included a …

Implementation Of A Triage System For The Residents At A Residential Facility To Improve Triage Assessment Skills Of The Staff As Well As Improve The Level And Timeliness Of Care, Andrew J. Choi Rn, Neha Gopal Rn, Andres N. Padilla Rn, Dana Son

Master's Projects and Capstones

Triage is an integral part of the clinical process which involves assessing patients and determining their level of care in order to get them appropriate, timely treatment. Several countries utilize a standardized triage system with established criteria to aid staff in their decision-making during assessments (Peta et al., 2023). The Nursing and Residential Triage (NaRT) tool, from the Manchester Triage System (MTS), was shown to enhance staff clinical assessment skills and help avoid inappropriate ED transfers during a study among older adults in a residential facility (Markey et al., 2024). For this project, the main issue identified at the residential …

Enhancing Patient Safety: Fall Prevention Through Video Education, Fithawit T. Zere

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem: Globally, hospital falls remain a leading cause of injuries, increased costs, short and long-term disability and emotional impact on patients/families. Despite required prevention measures, a local hospital experienced rising fall rates during 2024 (n=71);13 of these occurred in the Med-telemetry microsystem. Although multiple strategies and financial investments occurred, nursing compliance with the fall prevention “bundle” remained suboptimal.

Context: Thirteen falls resulted in $182,000 in 2024. A quality improvement (QI) project was initiated over 12 weeks after routine audits revealed inconsistency in application of several components of the required bundle: particularly, the fall prevention video upon admission.

Interventions: A …

The Impact Of Culturally Grounded Breastfeeding Programs On Black Maternal And Infant Outcomes: A Scoping Review, Kelsey B. Green

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Background: The lack of culturally grounded breastfeeding programs and understanding of their impact on Black breastfeeding initiation, duration, and health outcomes hinders improving Black breastfeeding rates in the U.S.

Research aim: This scoping review examines the impact of culturally grounded breastfeeding programs on Black mothers' and infants' health, and factors contributing to their success.

Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted using the CINAHL and SCOPUS databases. In the end, 34 scholarly articles were chosen for this review because they examined the impact of culturally grounded breastfeeding programs on Black breastfeeding rates and health outcomes.

Results: Culturally …