Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Our Song: Virtual Group Songwriting With Medical Professionals, Seneca Block

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study investigated healthcare workers experiences in hospital provided virtual songwriting groups. Groups were led by a board-certified music therapist and prompted by one of three chosen themes from the hospital’s motto: to heal, to teach, to discover. Specifically, this work aimed to understand the role of songwriting as an arts-based intervention and its impact on aspects of workplace community with healthcare workers.

Post group interviews were conducted and analyzed, which resulted in the emergence of seven major themes including: Sense of Purpose, Point of Connection and Community, Positive Engagement and Collaboration, Enhancing Mood State and Evoking Emotions, Impact of …

Staff Education Project Staff Education To Encourage The Accurate Use The Dynamic Appraisal Of Situational Aggression In A U.S. State Psychiatric Facility, Tracy Ann Reid-Saunders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project involved the development and implementation of a staff education program to enhance the use of the Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression (DASA) tool. The aim of the project was to address the inconsistent and inaccurate applications of the DASA tool by health staff, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention to address patient aggression and increased risk of violence to both staff and patients. The importance of addressing this issue within the context of nursing practice rests on the DASA tool’s importance as a means for nurses to assess patients with aggressive behavior, …

More Than Numbers: Black Adolescents’ Journey With Type 1 Diabetes Management, Vanessa Di Felice

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) face significant health disparities, yet their unique treatment journeys remain largely underreported. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Black adolescents with T1DM. The study addressed two research questions examining how these individuals experience and navigate T1DM self-management, self-efficacy beliefs, and perceived barriers and facilitators to optimal self-care. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Black adolescents with T1DM recruited from a pediatric hospital in Washington, DC. The study utilized Bandura's social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework. Thematic data analysis identified four key themes: (1) character development through knowledge …

Staff Education Project Enhancing Provider Knowledge And Integration Of Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitoring In A Family/Occupational Health Clinic, Kesha Lebron

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on enhancing provider knowledge and supporting the integration of FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology in a family medicine and occupational health clinic. A gap in provider understanding of CGM technology and its role in diabetes management was identified. The intervention targeted a diverse group, including medical assistants, management, clerical staff, occupational health specialists, and medical providers. A pre- and post-education knowledge assessment was conducted, and results showed an increase in provider understanding. The pre-intervention average score was 76.52 (SD = 2.64), which increased to 98 (SD = 3.34) post-intervention. While …

Jc Polyomavirus Pooled Seropositivity Prevalence In Healthy Subjects, Lenka J. Kimla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

JC polyomavirus (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in immunocompromised individuals and has been linked to cancer development. To-date, no information is available about the JCV seroprevalence in the healthy (nondiseased) population or whether this virus is ecologically connected to humans. The aim of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis was to the estimate the overall seroprevalence of JCV in the healthy human population by age, region, and testing method. A meta-analysis conducted on 24 studies revealed a pooled JCV seroprevalence of 60% (95% CI, 55% - 65%) with statistically significant effect size (z = 32.93, p < 0.001). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses with STATA18 showed that age and region had a strong positive predictive value on prevalence (R = .578, R2 = 0.334, F(2,52) = 12.543, p < 0.001) whereas the testing method had no significant effect on prevalence. The theories that grounded this study were the ecological model and the systems theory, which support the study result that JCV appears to be ubiquitous in the human population with JCV being acquired very early in life. The results of the systematic literature review indicated that JCV is transmitted via fecal-oral and respiratory routes within and outside of families. Most infants are infected with JCV by the age of 6 months and JCV seronegativity may not be indicative of a lack of an underlying JCV infection. JCV seropositivity increases with age, which is most probably by viral reactivation due to immune senescence. These findings have positive social change implications with JCV treatment, screening, and vaccine development.

Education Module To Improve Staff Medication Administration Practice, Linda Ikegwuoha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Education Module to Improve Staff Medication Administration Practice by Linda C. Ikegwuoha BSN, Austin Community College, 2021 ADN, Austin Community College, 2019 Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University May 2025

Improving Financial Sustainability Through A 990n-Sized Charity’S Fundraising-Activity Audit, Eileen Callejas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current scholarly literature has asserted that large non-profit organizations benefit from conducting fundraising-activity audit portfolio analyses. However, suitable techniques and tools that ultra-small nonprofits (990N-sized charities) can use to improve their fundraising-activity analyses have not been clearly established. The research problem was in modifying tools that work efficiently for hyper-localized charities to compare the effectiveness of their fundraising-activities. Preferred tools were needed to reinforce ideation and align improvements within the charities’ known constraints. The purpose of this study was to explore three suitably modified instruments that could be used for fundraising-activity auditing. Based on Ostrom’s institutional analysis and development framework, …

Sweet Lies: Influence Of Food Marketing On Childrens’ Health And The Need For Reform, Mollie M. Warrington

Honors Theses

Markedly, there is heavy marketing of unhealthy food to children. This has become a significant public health concern because of escalating rates of child obesity, which have long-term consequences for physical health and severe mental health repercussions, such as body image concerns and low self-esteem. This thesis explores how food marketing strategies, historically rooted in television ads and evolving through digital platforms, are linked to children's dietary choices and broader public health implications. It analyzes various manipulative tactics, such as digital advertising, influencer endorsement, and gamification, showing how companies take advantage of the cognitive vulnerabilities of children to propagate unhealthy …

The Nurseonetap Project: Staff Education To Rio Vista Behavioral Health, Justin Benedict

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The NurseOneTap Project is a staff education initiative designed to improve nursing documentation accuracy and efficiency through the implementation of a culturally sensitive electronic health record (EHR) system. This project addressed a critical gap in nursing practice—transitioning from paper-based documentation to EHR systems—by providing structured educational interventions to enhance staff proficiency, confidence, and documentation accuracy. A pre- and post-evaluation methodology was employed to assess improvements in system navigation, real-time data access, workflow optimization, and documentation accuracy. Results demonstrated a 54.5% increase in staff proficiency, a 50% improvement in documentation accuracy, and a 76% rise in staff confidence in using the …

A Standardized Approach To Patient Teaching Regarding Medication Adherence For Schizophrenic Patients, Ifeanyi Christian Onye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication nonadherence in schizophrenic patients is one of the most challenging facets of mental healthcare management. This chronic problem affects leads to worsening symptoms and a higher hospitalization frequency. This project was a staff education project designed to address the practice problem of knowledge deficit of staff regarding medication adherence for schizophrenic patients. The practice-focused question was “Does staff education on a standardized approach to medication adherence provide increased knowledge and ability of the staff in the support of schizophrenic patients?” The practice question addresses identified gaps in nursing knowledge and lack of defined teaching standards for the improvement of …

Staff Education On Phq-9 Screening Tool Implementation, Sweetie Hope Doychinov

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this DNP project was to evaluate whether a staff education program could measurably improve healthcare professionals' knowledge of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression screening at the practicum site. Depression remains underdiagnosed in primary care, largely due to inconsistent use of standardized tools like the PHQ-9, which is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. This project addressed this gap by educating healthcare staff on the administration, scoring, and integration of the PHQ-9 into patient care, thereby enhancing their confidence and competence in its consistent application. The practice-focused question was the following: For healthcare staff at an …

Staff Education For Intake Clinicians On A Behavioral Health Unit At A 137-Bed Safety Net Hospital In An Underserved Community, Latisha Stennis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health conditions among adolescents are rising across the nation. This project consisted of an educational intervention implemented at a 137-bed safety net hospital that is expanding psychiatric services for adolescents, and numerous personnel at the organization reported having limited knowledge and experience working with this population. The project aimed to reduce the knowledge gap by accentuating the signs and symptoms of adolescents with anxiety, depression, suicidal, and self-injurious behaviors. The practice question that was developed to address this problem was as follows: Does implementing an educational intervention focused on adolescent anxiety, depression and recognizing suicidal and self-injurious behaviors enhance …

Relationship Between Years Of Experience, Age, Teamwork, And Medical-Surgical Nurses’ Intentions To Stay, Kimberly Dawn Reddish

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States is currently experiencing a nurse staffing crisis that is significantly impacting the medical-surgical (MS) nursing workforce. With MS nurses providing the most care for inpatient beds, hospital administrators must identify strategies that support MS nurse retention to preserve access to care for patients and support patient safety. The purpose of this study, guided by the complex adaptive systems theory, was to understand the relationship between teamwork, age, years of experience, and MS nurses’ intentions to stay in their roles in acute care hospitals. MS nurses were recruited via invitations from the chief nursing officer of a system …

Workplace Violence Prevention, Solomon Soroibe Okwueze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education and quality improvement project was created to reduce workplace violence incidents within a psychiatry and primary care health group. Research has shown that the frequency of workplace violence events can create a critical practice problem that severely impacts the safety, morale, and, ultimately, retention of nursing staff. Addressing workplace violence in the healthcare field not only can ensure a safer working environment but also can increase the well-being of staff and assure high-quality care for patients. The project highlights a proactive approach to mitigating violence, promoting safety culture, and improving workplace ambiance. The central practice-based question guiding …

The Impact Of Diabetes On Neurovascular Integrity: A Special Focus On Pericytes And Endothelin-1, Mia Edgerton

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes increases the risk of stroke and Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID). Diabetes also dysregulates the endothelin (ET) system. ET-1-mediated constriction of brain microvascular pericytes (BMVPCs) has been shown to contribute to brain hypoperfusion. However, there is a loss of BMVPCs in VCID, but underlying mechanisms of pericyte degeneration are poorly studied. ETA receptor activation can instigate phenotypical changes and cellular senescence in endothelial cells. . There is also emerging evidence that ETB receptor agonism improves outcomes in patients with cerebral ischemic stroke, but long-term effects, especially in diabetes, are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine …

Standarized Educational Nursing Intervention In The Prevention Of Implanted Port Infection, Maribel Melendez Ocasio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project addressed the high infection rate of implanted ports at a cancer treatment hospital in Puerto Rico due to the lack of a standardized training program for nurses. The project occurred in the hospital’s oncology unit with 24 beds. The infection rate for newly implanted ports was an alarming 100% in 1 month. Addressing this issue was crucial because port infections can significantly impact patient outcomes, especially for oncology patients. The goal of this project was to develop and implement an educational program based on the analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate model to enhance nurses’ knowledge and adherence …

Association Between The Lack Of Health Insurance, Income, And The Severity Of Negative Perinatal Outcomes Among Native Spanish- And English-Speaking Women Living In Florida, Khadijeh Ashktorab

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence indicates that non-English-speaking mothers, particularly Spanish-only speakers, experience worse maternal health outcomes compared to their mainstream counterparts. Language barriers often hinder communication and negatively affect perinatal care. This study used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System from Florida (2019–2020) to examine associations between health insurance, income, and perinatal outcomes among Spanish and English-speaking women. Krieger’s eco-social theory guided this cross-sectional, quantitative analysis. Chi-square tests were used for bivariable analysis, and multivariable models were used to adjust for confounders. Results showed that native language alone significantly predicted specific outcomes such as large-for-gestational-age …

Hurricane Irma's Impact On Mortality Among The Chronically Ill Populations In Florida, Cody Ray Thornton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Natural disasters pose significant risks to individuals with chronic diseases, exacerbating health disparities through disruptions in healthcare access and systemic vulnerabilities. This study investigated the association between chronic disease-related mortality occurring within 2 months of Hurricane Irma, and whether demographic variables, including age, sex, race, Hispanic ethnicity, poverty, urbanicity, and educational attainment, modified this relationship. This cross-sectional study used the social-ecological model to analyze secondary mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression revealed that deaths from chronic illnesses, occurring between September 2017 and October 2017, were 2.694 times higher, compared to the same period …

A Disparities Analysis Of Cancer Patients’ Access To Depression Treatment By Health Insurance Status And Type, Stephanie Minbiole-Snider

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has demonstrated that comorbid conditions like depression in cancer patients reduce quality of life, prolong recovery, and reduce survival time of the cancer patient. Although other studies have investigated the issue of depression among cancer patients, there is a dearth of studies looking at differences in taking depression medication with health insurance as a source of disparity. Using survey data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and the health belief model as the theoretical framework, this study had two purposes. The first was to determine if there were differences in the likelihood of taking medication for depression based …

Staff Education On Advantages Of Administering Phq-9 Screening To Adolescents And Young Adults Receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Tms) Therapy In An Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Florence O. Gbadehan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

page This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) study filled a practice gap in an outpatient mental health clinic by increasing staff understanding of the PHQ-9 screening tool for teenagers and young adults undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. The project sought to answer the following practice-focused question: will teaching staff about the PHQ-9 increase knowledge? A staff education program was developed and implemented to address this gap, with professional persons examining and approving the content before it was distributed. Twelve voluntary clinical staff members attended a sixty-minute in-person educational session, which was followed by a ten-question multiple-choice pre/post-test to assess …

Training Staff To Improve Medication Adherence Among Outpatient Mental Health Patients, Josephine Nada Bondje

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication adherence is a practice issue in the treatment of patients suffering severe mental illness. A suburban outpatient clinic in the Eastern United States did not have standardized staff education regarding medication adherence strategies for treating psychiatric patients diagnosed with major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. The purpose of this project was to enhance the staff’s knowledge regarding methods for helping patients achieve medication adherence. The clinical question that guided the project was: Will staff education regarding medication adherence strategies related to mental health conditions in an outpatient clinic increase the knowledge of the staff? Data were collected from …

Reducing Patient No-Show Rates In A Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, John K. Kamau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project is a quality improvement initiative to enhance staff knowledge and confidence through expert feedback validating educational interventions at a mental health outpatient clinic. The practice problem highlighted staff preparedness gaps to effectively address patient-specific barriers, impacting patient engagement and care delivery, resulting in high appointment no-shows. Addressing this issue within nursing practice was essential, as consistent care was critical for managing psychiatric conditions effectively. The question guiding the project was as follows: How does implementing a specialized staff training program impact staff knowledge and confidence in reducing no-shows? This project aimed to equip staff with evidence-based tools …

1 Studying The Determinants Of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, And Social Relations In Egypt, Fayrouz Shaltout

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Background

The global population is aging rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2050, one in six people will be over the age of 65. In Egypt, the aging population, particularly those aged 60 and above, is expected to grow significantly, posing a growing public health concern. Unhealthful diets (that are associated with overweight and obesity), are one of the main reasons associated with non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) are major risk factors for poor aging outcomes. Despite this, there is limited research on the specific determinants of successful aging (SA) in Egypt, especially among individuals aged 50 …

Identification Of Novel Genetic Biomarkers Linked To The Prodromal Stage Of Parkinson’S Disease (Pd) Patients, Marwa Tawfik Badawy

Theses and Dissertations

Background and Objective: The early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), is particularly challenging because symptoms appear only after significant neuronal damage has already occurred. This study is utilizing variant call format (VCF) analysis to identify genetic variants and novel genes that could serve as early prognostic markers for prodromal PD. Materials and Methods: Data were sourced from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), focusing on prodromal patients with gVCF data from the 2021 cohort. The study included 304 participants, comprising 100 healthy controls, 146 individuals with prodromal genetic indicators, 21 individuals with prodromal hyposmia, and 37 …

Cauti Bundle Education In A Long-Term Care Facility, Pius Awandem Tanyifor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most frequent but preventable infections that patients may acquire in healthcare, also known as HAI or nosocomial. A CAUTI bundle is a set of evidence-based practices (EBPs) that, when implemented together, can significantly reduce the occurrence of CAUTIs in any healthcare setting. The practice problem in a long-term care facility was the staff knowledge deficit on the CAUTI bundle. This is a staff education project. The pre- and post-survey results showed an increase in knowledge of the CAUTI bundle, from 56% in the pretest to 97 % in the posttest.

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Reducing Burnout Through Mindfulness Education, Shateria Michelle Boone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on addressing burnout for staff nurses working in a psychiatric hospital. Evidence indicated that burnout among nurses, caused by emotional stress and heightened responsibilities, may result in increased medical errors, diminished patient satisfaction, and significant dangers to patient safety and care. The practice-focused question for this project addressed whether a mindfulness-based educational intervention program would increase staff knowledge and decrease burnout among nurses working in a psychiatric hospital. The program incorporated a pretest/posttest format, educational content delivered via a PowerPoint presentation that included an interactive mindfulness meditation training session, and a …

Implementation Of An Educational Program To Improve Nurses’ Knowledge Of Basic Ostomy Care, Angela Trajcevski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education project aimed to determine if an educational program would improve nurses’ knowledge of basic ostomy care in a surgical unit. Nurses in the surgical unit lack the knowledge and skills to perform proper ostomy care. Regardless of the years of experience, nurses may lose skills over time if they do not refresh their knowledge on basic ostomy care. The PICO (population, intervention, comparison, and outcome) question for this project was as follows: Does participation in an educational program focused on basic ostomy care improve the ostomy knowledge of staff nurses working on a surgical unit? This project …

Educating The Crisis Unit Staff On Implementing The Brief Trauma Questionnaire, Ambrose Oyemhen Ukpebor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Facility-Based Crisis Unit (FBCS) nursing staff demonstrated an inadequate understanding of how to apply evidence-based trauma screening tools, such as the Brief Trauma Questionnaire (BTQ), to patients with substance use disorders. Studies indicate that over 60% of individuals recovering from or actively using illicit drugs report experiencing childhood and lifetime trauma. Integrating trauma screening into nursing practice can significantly improve patient care outcomes. This educational project aimed to enhance providers’ knowledge of BTQ administration using the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate) model to ensure effective learning. The project utilized expertise from content specialists, the Walden University manual, …

Mir-125a-3p And Its Targets: Promising Biomarkers For Ovarian, Liver, And Breast Cancers, Offering A Beacon Of Hope For More Effective Diagnosis And Treatment Strategies, Eman Kamaleldien Anwer

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is a worldwide health problem with various genetic and epigenetic alterations, resulting in disease heterogeneity. Effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring markers have been determined recently; however, new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers are needed. MicroRNAs (miRNA), short non-coding RNAs, have a highlighted role in cancer progression, migration, and programmed cell death. Our study aims to investigate the significance of miR-125a-3p and its downstream targets in breast (BRCA), hepatocellular (HCC), and ovarian (OVCA) malignancies and their possibility as diagnostic biomarkers and targets for therapeutic agents. Bioinformatics and online tools were used to determine the miRNA-predicted downstream targets, analyze GEO datasets, …

Cervical Cancer Screening And Hpv Vaccine Intentions: An Egyptian Population Assessment Through University Channels, Rita Hany Ebeid

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Cervical cancer remains a significant global health burden, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. While HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening programs have shown promise in reducing incidence and mortality, access to these interventions remains limited in Egypt. The purpose of this study was to analyze female and male beliefs, knowledge of, and perceptions related to cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, and how these factors influence women and men’s intentions to respectively undergo or promote these behaviors in Egypt. This study also aimed to develop recommendations for more effective cervical cancer prevention measures that promote greater uptake among …