Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Staff Education On Evidence-Based Educational Content For Patient Fall Prevention Measures, Ogochukwu Vera Nnakwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient falls continue to be a challenge due to the injury associated with them. They can be disabling, costly, and most often lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Falls at home lead to hospitalization of the patient and complication of other health issues and/or aggravation of preexisting health problems. The practice problem was that the clinic did not have patient education content in place for fall prevention measures to discuss with patient at discharge. The practice-focused question was, Will a staff education on evidence-based falls prevention measures result in an increase in staff knowledge on fall prevention? The purpose of …

Art Therapists’ Perspectives On Exploring Sexuality In Treatment Sessions, Daniel Blausey

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study examined the relationships between U.S. based graduate-level art therapists’ (N = 174) personal and professional characteristics and their decisions to explore sexuality in sessions. A mixed-methods concurrent design generated quantitative and qualitative data through a one-time anonymous internet study centering on two clinical case vignettes. One vignette highlighted gender nonconformity, the other the sexualization of the therapist. Comparison of years of art therapy experience for two groups, those who interacted with one vignette before exiting and those who interacted with both found the group that rated both vignettes had more years of AT experience (M = …

Exploring The Role Of Physical Health Interventions In The Management Of Mental Health Disorders: A Comparative Study Of Mental Health And Kinesiology Professionals' Perspectives, Vicki Hamill

Doctorate in Kinesiology

The study's purpose was to understand the factors that may influence the use of physical health interventions in the mental health treatment process. The lack of professional guidelines for kinesiology professionals has been linked to an implementation gap of evidenced based exercise prescription in the prevention of the physical health comorbidities associated with mental illness. These comorbidities are linked to a 15-20 year decrease in life expectancy, long-term disability, and increased healthcare costs. The Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire-Health Professional (EMIQ-HP) was used in the study to compare the mental health and kinesiology professional perspective in the domains of exercise …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Impact Of Resiliency On Child Behavior: A Quality Improvement Project, Macy Kraft

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences can have a significant impact on a person’s future health and wellness. Therefore, it is necessary for healthcare professionals to increase their understanding of possible mediating factors to lessen the impact of these experiences should they occur.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based quality improvement initiative designed to enhance the formal behavioral assessments of pre-school children following the participation of their caregivers in an ACEs and resiliency educational intervention.

Methods: Implementation of a two-armed intervention; a brief educational session aimed at providing an introduction to ACEs and a …

The Relationship Between Sexual Orientation, Anxiety, And Mental Health Access With Suicidal Ideation Among Veterans, Winsome R. Ashley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior studies have examined the connection between minority sexual orientation (MSO) and mental health; however, very little is known about the effect among veterans. The objective of this cross-sectional quantitative study aimed to determine the relationship between veteran status, sexual orientation, anxiety levels, access to mental health services, and suicidal ideation among veterans. More specifically, it addressed if veteran status modifies the association between anxiety and suicidal ideation, if marital status modifies the association between mental health care access and suicidal ideation, and if veteran status modifies the association between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation after controlling for age, gender, …

Sports Injury Epidemiology In The Women’S National Basketball Association 2023-2024, Lucas Seehafer

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Injury rates are increasing in multiple professional sports, yet the rates specific to American professional women’s basketball are unknown. This study tracked injury occurrence, games missed due to injury, and injury occurrence among the 12 teams of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) through the 2023 and 2024 seasons. All injuries that occurred during the regular seasons and/or resulted in games missed during the regular seasons were included in this analysis. Injuries that resulted in the athlete being evaluated by the team athletic trainer on the bench and/or reporting to the locker room were also included, even if the injury …

The Acute Impact Of Reflexive Performance Reset On Heart Rate Recovery In Division Ii Collegiate Basketball Athletes, Jordan Sorensen

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR) is a system of breathing and tactile input that utilizes specific reflex points that could impact heart rate recovery (recHR), average concentric power output (W), and athletic performance. Participants were recruited from the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Bemidji State University. All participants were between 18-25 years old, had no current injuries, and all had a minimum of 3 years experience. Subjects were randomly selected to be in 1 of 3 groups: Control (CON), RPR first session only (RPR1), and RPR second session only (RPR2). Acute effects of RPR on HR and W were assessed …

Gender Differences In Weight Perceptions And Intentions Among Hispanic Youth In The United States, Kristy Gregurek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is a global epidemic and a serious issue for children and adolescents in the United States. Despite recognition of its dangers, obesity remains a public health concern, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its prevalence. Of particular concern is the higher obesity rates among Hispanic children, who face disproportionately significant psychological and physical health risks. Using the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to investigate the lack of knowledge regarding gender differences in weight perceptions and intentions, the relationship between physical activity and weight perception, and the role each may play in obesity among Hispanic …

Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare: A Qualitative Study Among Physicians And Nurses In Florida, Aaron Miri

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

This investigation will leverage participant focus group interviews with 32 clinicians (16 nurses / 16 physicians) to study what, if anything, is inhibiting AI adoption across the hospital. Specific physicians will be sourced across the key service lines of primary care, oncology, cardiology, behavioral health, and emergency department medicine, as these tend to be patient volume driven and thus have the maximum amount of potential for positive impact leveraging AI. Nurses in these same departments will be assessed to analyze if there is a similarity or difference between the nursing and physician AI adoption barriers.

An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Perinatal Depression And Anxiety Among Pregnant And Parenting Adolescents In The Tampa Bay Area Of Florida, Olajumoke Adetoun Ojeleye

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Perinatal depression (PND) and perinatal anxiety (PNA) are increasing among pregnant and parenting adolescents (PPAs), with PNA often underrecognized. This leads to significant socioeconomic costs and adverse maternal consequences if untreated. Hence, this dissertation explores the experiences of PND and PNA among PPAs, focusing on their knowledge gaps, perception, mental health needs, care preferences, and access to PMH care. The research employs a qualitative design (free-listing and in-depth interviews) to gather participant insights. Key findings reveal that many PPAs possess limited knowledge about PNA when compared to PND. Lack of support from partners, family, and peers emerged as the topmost …

Barriers To Exercise For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities, Mark Fleming

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Individuals with developmental disability have been known to be less physically active and more prone to obesity than the rest of the population. One way to understand this is to examine the barriers that these individuals perceive to prevent them from getting the proper amount of exercise. An online survey was conducted to determine whether previously known barriers significantly affected these individuals' perceptions. The survey consisted of 513 individuals who identified as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, or being a parent/caregiver. The barriers they were asked about were time, cost, transportation, energy, and interest. It …

Mobilizing Prevention And Early Detection Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias (Adrd) In Allegheny County Through The Area Agency On Aging (Aaa), Laiba N. Mirza

Public Health Capstone Projects

1. Objectives: In collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS): the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) using the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI), my capstone project will involve the development of a comprehensive literature review examining the impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) on patients and their caregivers. The project aims to help the AAA focus on strategies to delay the onset of ADRD in Allegheny County. It also seeks to evaluate and enhance early detection programs for ADRD established by the AAA in communities within the county. Additionally, the project will explore how public health initiatives can …

Health Equity & Parental Leave: Addressing Gaps In Maternal Health Policy, Destiny L. Smith

Public Health Capstone Projects

Objective: This capstone project at Duquesne University will address health equity by focusing on employer-provided maternal and parental leave policies in the United States among underserved groups. It aims to address the gaps in these policies and analyze how disparities in leave policies across different industries can impact maternal and infant health outcomes.

Priority Population Served: This study will primarily target underserved employees who had to take some type of leave policy while working for an intended employer.

Methods: This project will engage in data analysis of the 2024 BIRTH survey results that the Pittsburgh Business Group on …

Aiding Counseling Services To Increase Cultural Knowledge About Black And Lgbtq+ Populations, Brianna L. Walden

Public Health Capstone Projects

OBJECTIVES: The capstone project I would like to undertake is the creation of a quality improvement plan for the counseling and social work department of The Children’s Home to help them expand to reach vulnerable populations. A quality improvement plan, along with graphics reflecting the current data about mental health, will be delivered to The Children’s Home which they will be able to use in future projects and grant applications.

METHODS: The methods and research will be based on the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Counseling Needs Assessment conducted by The Children’s Home in August 2024 to …

Cortical Visual Impairment Awareness And Education, Sarah Kozosey

Public Health Capstone Projects

Objectives: This Capstone Project, conducted in collaboration with The Children’s Home (TCH), aims to raise awareness of the educational aspect of cortical visual impairment (CVI) by compiling the work already done in schools, hospitals, and the communities it serves. The focus is on raising awareness and education, interdisciplinary collaboration, diagnosis and early detection, public health implications, and strategic planning and implementation through secondary research. Methods: This project uses CH’s strategic plan to improve the flow of grand rounds already enforced. Meetings with multiple people on the Marketing & Development team and Pediatric VIEW team will answer how much progress has …

Respiratory Muscle Strength Training For Persistent Dyspnea In Individuals With Post-Covid-19, Sandra P. Morgan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus has resulted in more than 775 million known cases and greater than seven million deaths globally. Up to 25% of patients experience ongoing symptoms three months after the acute illness, and up to 30% of these individuals report persistent dyspnea. The overall aims of this dissertation are to 1) examine the risk factors and predictors for developing persistent dyspnea, 2) measure the effects of respiratory muscle strength training on dyspnea, pulmonary symptoms, quality of life, pulmonary function, and functional capacity, and 3) compare the outcomes of two different respiratory muscle strength training interventions.

In …

Quantifying Trends In Hospital Administrative Costs: Examining Urban-Rural Disparities, Barriers, And Opportunities For Cost Reduction In Healthcare, Lauree Handlon

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Administrative and general (A&G) expenses in U.S. hospitals represent a growing financial burden, accounting for 15%–30% of healthcare expenditures. Despite this impact, A&G trends remain underexamined, particularly between rural and urban hospitals. This study used Medicare Cost Report data from over 4,400 short-term acute care hospitals from 2011 to 2022, combined with qualitative interviews with hospital executives, to assess rural-urban differences in A&G expenses. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, rural hospitals were found to consistently spend a higher proportion of total expenses on A&G salaries—18% more than urban hospitals, even after adjusting for hospital and financial characteristics. Although salary-related …

Ob/Gyn Physician Perspectives On Maintenance Of Certification (Moc), Brent Bost

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate physician perspectives of the current maintenance of certification(MOC) activities utilized by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).

Methods: We performed a convergent mixed methods study, using parallel quantitative and qualitative data collected via the internet plus paper surveys of a nationwide sample of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) physicians from November 12 to December 13, 2024. The questionnaire included 23 items about various aspects of maintenance of certification, physician burnout and demographics. Three open-ended questions regarding the pros and cons of MOC and recommendations for improvement were also included.

Results: Of the 5,083 requests sent, …

Exploring Health Equity With Culturally Specific Providers Of Permanent Supportive Housing, Judith Solomon

University Honors Theses

Chronic homelessness is an important public health issue. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a promising opportunity for transitioning people experiencing homelessness into housing, however there remain unaddressed racial inequities in service provision and outcomes. The aim of this study is to better understand the role of culturally specific (CS) providers of PSH in improving health equity. I analyzed interviews with CS PSH providers for themes related to health and healthcare. Providers spoke about the importance of connecting clients to healthcare. Providers stressed the importance of honesty and lived experience, highlighting the strong sense of responsibility to the community. Providers also …

Strategies To Improve Antibody-Mediated Protection Against Herpes Simplex Virus Infections, Matthew D. Slein

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

No efficacious vaccine exists for herpes simplex virus and the global burden of disease remains high. Antibodies can serve as potent therapeutics to protect high risk populations such as neonates. Although rare, neonatal HSV (nHSV) infections can result in significant mortality and lifelong neurological morbidity even with antiviral therapy. While HSV-specific maternally derived antibodies significantly reduce the risk of neonatal disease in humans, the mechanisms by which they mediate protection have yet to be described. Using a mouse model of neonatal HSV (nHSV) infections we aimed to determine the mechanisms of antibody-mediated protection using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting two of …

In Case I Make It: An Autoethnographic Argument For Care, Space, And Utopia, Faelyn T. Cowan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Taking an autoethnographic and autotheoretical approach I examine within this project TomboloBooks’ Queer Comic Book Club. Drawing from José Esteban Mun֮oz’s ideas of queer utopia and Jen Jack Gieseking’s framework of constellations, and analyzing my own experiences, I present the Queer Comic Book Club (QCBC) as a moment of utopic queer worldmaking and argue for it’s potential as a site of alternative mental health care. Though I cannot provide here a generalizable model of book clubs as care, what I offer here is a series of possibilities, arguing for the potential of these spaces as community resources and sites of …

Understanding The Coping Mechanisms Used By Older Formerly Incarcerated Persons During Reentry, Sayla Victores

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated the coping mechanisms employed by older formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry. While there is research on the reentry experiences of older formerly incarcerated individuals, less is known about how they cope with the strains of reentry. As such, this study fills this gap in the literature by exploring both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms employed by this population during reentry. Using in-depth interviews with 20 older, formerly incarcerated individuals, I found that older formerly incarcerated persons experienced challenges related to securing stable housing, finding employment and economic security, community supervision, stigma and judgment, and overall reintegration. …

Exploring Creative Arts Therapists' Experiences With Online Therapy In South Korea During Covid-19, Changho Song

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study explored the experiences of creative arts therapists (CATs) in South Korea who conducted online therapy sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global crisis forced a rapid shift to virtual platforms, raising concerns about the effectiveness of online creative arts therapy (OCAT) and its impact on therapeutic relationships. Grounded in phenomenological and arts-based research (ABR), this study examined the challenges, adaptations, and effectiveness of OCAT. The research addressed the following questions: (1) How did CATs experience the transition to online therapy? (2) What challenges did they encounter, and how did they adapt? (3) How did online therapy affect therapeutic …

Physical Activity, Smokeless Tobacco, Urban/Rural Status And E-Cigarette Use Among African American Young Adults, Destiny Britt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The growing prevalence of e-cigarette use is fueled by the false belief that they are safer than traditional cigarettes. African American adults aged 18 and older are disproportionately impacted by tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Little research focuses specifically on e-cigarette use among young African Americans, examining how factors like physical activity, smokeless tobacco, and urban/rural status influence their usage. This study aimed to investigate these influences while considering gender, academic level, alcohol and marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and anxiety/depression as controlling factors. Using the social ecological model (SEM), the research sought to understand how environmental factors interact with individual behaviors, …

Fall Prevention In An Acute Inpatient Crisis Stabilization Unit, Kerenge Ayuk Ako-Ebot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The type of project was a staff education designed to increase staff knowledge through the implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention program tailored to an acute inpatient crisis stabilization unit. The practice problem was a lack of standardization in fall prevention. The project question was the following: Does staff education on fall prevention measures increase staff knowledge in an acute crisis stabilization unit? A total of 22 health care professionals, including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, mental health technicians, and physical and occupational therapists, participated in the educational presentation. Pretest and posttest data showed a significant improvement in staff …

Functional Characterization Of Cryopreserved Plasmodium Yoelii Sporozoites In Vitro, Victoria I. Mills

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Malaria is a major global health burden, contributing to morbidity and mortality across various continents. Due to challenges in malaria research and its advancements, developing novel interventions and further understanding host-parasite interactions is required for future studies. Plasmodium vivax is a human malaria species that is difficult to maintain in laboratory settings, posing obstacles in research. Cryopreservation offers a reliable method to provide a consistent supply of sporozoites for reproducible studies. Plasmodium yoelii is a rodent malaria model commonly used in studies due to its genetic similarity to human malaria species. Utilizing cryopreserved P. yoelii sporozoites potentially extends their usability …

Understanding Hereditary Breast And Ovarian Cancer Syndrome In Black/African American Women: Implications For Equitable Outcomes And Interventions, Alexandria E. Fletcher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black/African American women face significant health disparities in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) due to systemic barriers to genetic counseling and testing, leading to poorer survival outcomes. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework and Intersectionality Theory, this quantitative descriptive study examined disparities in access to genetic services, socioeconomic barriers, and healthcare biases. Data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) included 1,357 Black/African American and White women aged 25–65 with a family history of HBOC. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset analyzed 15,684 Black/African American and 105,547 White women with breast cancer, …

Designing Accessible Ui/Ux For Epileptic Patients: A Scalable Solution For Music Therapy Delivery, Amethyst G.H. Mckenzie

Computer Science Senior Theses

How can we design an accessible, scalable UI/UX system tailored to the cognitive, visual, and motor impairments of epileptic patients, that ensures safe and effective interactions with music therapy applications? This research explores the intersection of accessibility, user-centred design, and digital health, using an iterative design process to develop and refine the SONATA app—a clinically deployable music therapy platform.

Through two prototype iterations, usability testing, and quantitative event logging, this study compares the effectiveness of structured versus flexible navigation in improving user experience. Key findings reveal that structured navigation reduces unintended detours, while progressive disclosure techniques enhance instructional clarity. Additionally, …

Mechanisms Of Macrophage Metabolic Activation And Paracrine Wnt Signaling In The Pathogenesis Of Systemic Sclerosis, Emily Ann Morris

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. We have previously shown that macrophages (MØs) play a critical role in its pathogenesis; however, the mechanisms driving MØ activation in SSc remain poorly understood. This dissertation investigates the molecular signaling pathways and biochemical mechanisms underlying profibrotic MØ activity in SSc.

First, I identify a novel MØ-specific effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), the standard-of-care treatment for SSc. While MMF is a well characterized lymphostatic, my findings demonstrate that its active metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA), is also capable of directly inhibiting myeloid viability and profibrotic MØ activation by suppressing de …

Enhancing Multidisciplinary Team Knowledge On The Effectiveness Of Heat Therapy For Lower Back Pain In Adults In An Outpatient Clinic, Glenys Hunter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project addressed the underutilization of heat therapy for lower back pain management at an outpatient clinic through an educational intervention aimed at enhancing multidisciplinary team knowledge. My project implemented a comprehensive educational program for 12 healthcare providers. The intervention included structured learning sessions with didactic presentations, case discussions, and hands-on demonstrations. Pre- and post-intervention assessments evaluated provider understanding of heat therapy's physiological mechanisms, clinical applications, safety considerations, and treatment protocols. Analysis revealed significant improvements in provider knowledge, with mean scores increasing from 33.33% pre-intervention to 92.25% post-intervention (p<0.001). Recommendations included integrating regular educational sessions into organizational development programs, developing standardized protocols, and creating patient education materials. The project demonstrated the effectiveness of structured educational interventions in improving provider knowledge while supporting broader implementation of non-pharmacological pain management strategies. These findings have implications for enhancing patient care through increased utilization of evidence-based heat therapy interventions