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Onsite Integrative Clinics: Acupuncture, Positive Patient Outcomes, And Frequency Of Provider Office Visits, Sherry Shoemaker Phd Dec 2014

Onsite Integrative Clinics: Acupuncture, Positive Patient Outcomes, And Frequency Of Provider Office Visits, Sherry Shoemaker Phd

Dissertations

Purpose and Aims. There is limited information about outcomes of care, resource utilization, and associated costs for patients who receive acupuncture in integrative health settings. The purpose of this study was to address this gap through the following aims: To examine: (1) changes in patient pain levels pre/post acupuncture treatments; (2) relationships between receiving acupuncture treatments (number of treatments, length of time, select demographic factors, (age, gender), pain level pre and post acupuncture treatments; (3) relationships between number of treatments, length of time, age, gender, pain level (pre/post acupuncture treatments) and provider visits (pre/post acupuncture treatments); and (4) relationship between …


Exploring A Diabetic Registry For Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Mary C. Anziano Phd Dec 2014

Exploring A Diabetic Registry For Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Mary C. Anziano Phd

Dissertations

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. There were over 18 million people diagnosed with diabetes in 2002. These disease processes together combine for significant health burden on society (American Diabetes Association, 2008). The purpose of the study was to describe the relationship between select demographics, and clinical characteristics to determine risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a diabetic population. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using a diabetic registry database containing patients diagnosed with diabetes from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012. Study variables included age, gender, socio-economic status, glycosylated hemoglobin …


The Case Of Reintegration Of Women Post Incarceration, Deana Raley Noble Phd Dec 2014

The Case Of Reintegration Of Women Post Incarceration, Deana Raley Noble Phd

Dissertations

Women released from prison or jail face particular obstacles and challenges on reentry to the community, many of which are related to their childhood and to gender roles as women and mothers. This study relates the lived experience of one woman's successful transition to economic and mainstream societal reintegration and family reconnection after release from prison and the insights gained by the researcher. Case study methodology congruent with Miller's Relational-Cultural Theory philosophical framework was utilized in this in-depth, single case design and represents a unique case. The overall purpose of this descriptive and explanatory research was to explore precursors to …


Relationship Between Age And Pre-End Stage Renal Disease Care In Elderly Hemodialysis Patients, Rubette Harford Phd, Msn, Rn Dec 2014

Relationship Between Age And Pre-End Stage Renal Disease Care In Elderly Hemodialysis Patients, Rubette Harford Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Purpose: The primary purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationship between age and receipt of three components of pre-end stage renal disease care prior to first initiation of hemodialysis, and to explore the implications of differences in interpretation of funding policies for dialysis services in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. Background: The growing burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a national public health concern, particularly within the aged population. It is estimated that more than 25 million Americans are living with some level of kidney disease, with an increasing prevalence noted with increasing age (Coresh et …


Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: Quality Of Life And Perception Of Dyspnea, Barbara A. Roces Phd, Msn, Np, Rn Nov 2014

Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: Quality Of Life And Perception Of Dyspnea, Barbara A. Roces Phd, Msn, Np, Rn

Dissertations

Background: Dyspnea perception can be defined as a multidimensional experience of breathing discomfort, influenced by physiological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, that includes secondary psychological and behavioral responses and cannot be defined only by physical objective abnormalities (Mularski et al., 2010). Dyspnea is the most common and distressing symptom in patients with advanced lung cancer and decreases one's quality of life (QOL) (Smith et al., 2001). Furthermore, dyspnea has been found to interfere with physical activities such as walking, work, and psychological activities such as disposition, taking pleasure in life, relationship with others, and sleep (Tanaka, Akechi, Okuyama, Nishiwaki, & …


Depressive Symptomatology And Perceived Social Support In Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes, Kristiana Gay Huffman Cullum Phd, Cpnp Nov 2014

Depressive Symptomatology And Perceived Social Support In Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes, Kristiana Gay Huffman Cullum Phd, Cpnp

Dissertations

Type 2 diabetes has increased dramatically in the pediatric population in the last decade. One of the comorbidities of diabetes is depression. In the presence of depression, diabetes may be mismanaged by patients and lead to a decline in health. Diabetes with comorbid depression may have better disease management outcomes in the presence of higher levels of social support. Defining childhood depression, which encompasses adolescence, and the subtleties of this disorder compared to the adult counterpart, was needed to better delineate important variables for this research study. There are several instruments that evaluate adolescents' perceived social support, but a fairly …


Symptom Burden And Healthcare Utilization In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Catherina Anne Madani Phd Nov 2014

Symptom Burden And Healthcare Utilization In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Catherina Anne Madani Phd

Dissertations

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rapidly progressive disease. There is currently no cure; thus treatment is aimed at prolonging survival, improving functional status (FS), and symptom mitigation. Symptom burden (SB) can impact quality of life (QOL), and lead to increased healthcare utilization. Palliative care (PC) has been associated with higher QOL, decreased depression, aggressive care, and mortality. The Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recent report supports earlier integration of PC for people living with serious illness. Detection of patients at high risk for heavy SB may help to identify patients who could benefit from earlier integration of PC into …


Patient Care Technology And The Nurse-Patient Relationship, Belinda M. Toole Phd, Msn, Rn Nov 2014

Patient Care Technology And The Nurse-Patient Relationship, Belinda M. Toole Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Background: Technological devices are increasingly used in healthcare and their proliferation has providers questioning the impact on the patient-provider relationship. Technological device integration has been studied in the primary care setting, less extensively in the acute care setting. The impact of device use on the nurse-patient relationship in acute care setting required further study, particularly with nursing's history of holistic practice incorporating caring and presence. Objectives: The study purpose was to explore the patient's perceptions of nurse caring and presence when technological devices were used in care delivery in the acute care setting. Specific aims were: 1) to describe the …


Skin Cancer Risk Perception And Sunscreen Use In Adolescent Female Soccer Athletes, Cheryl L. Butera Phd, Msn, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Np-C, Phn Sep 2014

Skin Cancer Risk Perception And Sunscreen Use In Adolescent Female Soccer Athletes, Cheryl L. Butera Phd, Msn, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Np-C, Phn

Dissertations

Over 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. In adolescent females ages 15-19, melanoma is the second most common form of cancer. The greatest risk factor for skin cancer is ultraviolet rays from the sun. Research has shown that sunscreen use is protective of all skin cancers, especially melanoma. The purpose of this study was to obtain perceptions about risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use among 13- to 18-year-old adolescent female club soccer athletes as a basis for effective interventions to improve sunscreen use in this population. The Health Belief Model was employed …


Nurse Practice Environment And Peripheral Intravenous Infiltrations In A Pediatric Hospital On The Magnet Journey, Jannise Topacio Baclig Phd Jul 2014

Nurse Practice Environment And Peripheral Intravenous Infiltrations In A Pediatric Hospital On The Magnet Journey, Jannise Topacio Baclig Phd

Dissertations

Background: Characteristics such as quality patient care, excellence in nursing, and innovations in professional nursing practice shape a health care organization into a "magnet" organization. Magnet designation is a key aspect of nursing, which places pressure on healthcare organizations to commit to nursing excellence and patient care should they take the challenge of attaining this prestige. With growing focus on quality and safety, nursing needs to remain diligent in ensuring a healthy work environment that not only supports the profession, but also sustains exceptional patient outcomes. The purpose of this research study was to describe the relationship of the nurse …


Efficacy Of Mantram Repetition Program On Sleep In Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Lindsay Cosco Holt Phd May 2014

Efficacy Of Mantram Repetition Program On Sleep In Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Lindsay Cosco Holt Phd

Dissertations

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects over seven million (3.5%) of the US adult population. In 2011, 476,515 veterans were currently seeking treatment for PTSD. Statistics show that 87% of veterans with PTSD report sleep disturbances and 52% experience frequent nightmares, making sleep the second most common reason why veterans seek mental health care upon return from deployment (Germain et al., 2006). Studies have sought to find a link between PTSD and sleep, and the importance of sleep in the recovery process, but there is a gap in the research on sleep disturbances and interventions for improvement in veterans with PTSD. …


Hospital Fall Prevention Using Interactive Patient Care Technology, Verna A. Sitzer Phd, Mn, Rn, Cns May 2014

Hospital Fall Prevention Using Interactive Patient Care Technology, Verna A. Sitzer Phd, Mn, Rn, Cns

Dissertations

The impact of patient engagement in hospital fall prevention using interactive patient care technology is not known. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the engagement of hospitalized patients in a computer-based, interactive patient care fall prevention pathway, comprised of a self-assessment of fall risk questionnaire and a fall prevention video, and hospital fall outcomes. The aims were to 1) formulate an interactive patient care technology conceptual framework to guide the study, 2) provide reliability and validity evidence for a patient self-assessment of fall risk questionnaire, and 3) explore the relationship between the fall prevention pathway engagement characteristics and …


Is Combat Exposure Predictive Of Higher Preoperative Stress In Military Members?, Eric J. Bopp Phd May 2014

Is Combat Exposure Predictive Of Higher Preoperative Stress In Military Members?, Eric J. Bopp Phd

Dissertations

Since September 11, 2001, the United States has been engaged in large-scale combat operations exposing numerous military service members to stressful, traumatic, and threatening environments. As a result, many of these individuals have experienced significant psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as physiological alterations, such as cardiovascular changes and neuroendocrine disturbances. The preoperative experience may be perceived as stressful, often increasing in magnitude as the patient progresses through the preoperative period. Military anesthesia providers frequently provide anesthetic care to military members with a history of combat exposure. Anecdotally, it is not uncommon for …


Fetal Heart Monitoring, Nursing Surveillance, And Cesarean Birth, María Del Carmen Colombo Phd May 2014

Fetal Heart Monitoring, Nursing Surveillance, And Cesarean Birth, María Del Carmen Colombo Phd

Dissertations

Purpose: Birth by cesarean delivery is a major public health issue with nearly one in three births delivered by cesarean section. Cesarean birth may be necessary to save mother or baby, but the rapid rise since 1996 without concomitant reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality may indicate this mode of delivery may be over utilized. Cesarean births pose significant maternal and newborn health risks. Identification of factors that may contribute to reduction in the first cesarean birth in low-risk women who are nulliparous, term gestation, with single fetus in head down position (NTSV) is a health priority. The …


Professional Quality Of Life And Emergency Department Nurses' Communication Patterns, Elvira Dominguez-Gomez Phd May 2014

Professional Quality Of Life And Emergency Department Nurses' Communication Patterns, Elvira Dominguez-Gomez Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods embedded design study was to examine relationships between compassion satisfaction, burnout, compassion fatigue/secondary trauma, and perceived levels of communication difficulty in emergency room nurses employed at a health care system. Quantitative data was collected from a purposive sample of 43 emergency room nurses using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), the Silencing Response Scale, and a demographic form. The study's embedded qualitative component was participants' experiences with traumatic cases in the emergency room. Qualitative data was collected via telephone interview with 10 emergency room nurses obtained from a subset of the original sample …


Gestational Weight Gain Patterns, Hope R. Farquharson Phd May 2014

Gestational Weight Gain Patterns, Hope R. Farquharson Phd

Dissertations

Background: Managing gestational weight gain (GWG) remains a global health priority as obesity among women of childbearing age and their children have been linked to excessive GWG. Excessive GWG has been linked to increased rates of cesarean sections, preterm births, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, large for gestational age newborns, postpartum weight retention, long-term obesity for the woman and her children. Conversely, adverse outcomes resulting from weight gain below recommendation could potentially include preterm births, increased rates of neonatal intensive care admission, and newborn morbidity and mortality. Previous studies indicate the need for healthcare providers to help women gain within the …


Delirium Rate And Risk Factors In Palliative Care Outpatients And Caregiver Coping Strategies, Sarah Deur Livermore Phd, Fnp May 2014

Delirium Rate And Risk Factors In Palliative Care Outpatients And Caregiver Coping Strategies, Sarah Deur Livermore Phd, Fnp

Dissertations

Background: Delirium causes suffering and in terminal illness undermines important goals to die at home. Improved knowledge about delirium among palliative outpatients can lead to improved patient outcomes through early identification and treatment in the home. Conversely, a missed diagnosis leads to costly hospital admissions, and is the most common reason to seek long-term care placement (Breitbart & Alici, 2008). Medicare stresses the importance by listing it as a common cause of falls among non-reimbursed hospital events. Prior evaluation of outpatient delirium rate was 14% among demented community dwelling elders (Steis, Evans, et al., 2012a). It is hypothesized that frail, …


A Phenomenological Study Of Acceptability Of Preexposure Prophylaxis Therapy Within The Lived Experiences Of Hiv Negative Male-To-Female Transgender Young Adults, Gloria N. Nwagwu Phd May 2014

A Phenomenological Study Of Acceptability Of Preexposure Prophylaxis Therapy Within The Lived Experiences Of Hiv Negative Male-To-Female Transgender Young Adults, Gloria N. Nwagwu Phd

Dissertations

The male-to-female transgender (MtF-TG) are individuals assigned a male gender at birth but self identify as female. MtF-TG young adults experience discrimination, stigmatization, isolation, and homelessness as a result of gender identity and gender expression. The transgender populations are linked to high rate of new HIV infection. The use of Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy demonstrated a decrease in HIV infection risk ranging from 42% to 73% among sexual minority individuals. The goal of this three-part study was achieved through concept analysis, data collection, and analysis. The following aims were addressed; analyze the concept of transgender, explore currently used HIV prevention …


Identification Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In Post-Icu Patients, Heather Warlan Phd, Rn, Ccrn May 2014

Identification Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In Post-Icu Patients, Heather Warlan Phd, Rn, Ccrn

Dissertations

Background: Patients receiving critical care are experiencing post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) as a result of life-saving interventions received in the intensive care unit (ICU). PTSS is associated with poor patient outcomes and decreased quality of life compared to post-ICU patients without PTSS. Personal and clinical characteristics that place patients at higher risk for PTSS are still being examined. It is also unknown to what extent patients are being screened for ICU-induced PTSS. Objectives: This body of work aims to examine the risk factors associated with ICU-related PTSS and describe the screening experiences of patients who recently received care in an …


Transitioning Adolescents With Type I Diabetes To Adult Care, Kathyann Kenny Marsh Phd May 2014

Transitioning Adolescents With Type I Diabetes To Adult Care, Kathyann Kenny Marsh Phd

Dissertations

Background: Care transitions, defined as hospital discharge or movement from one healthcare setting to another, are currently a major concern for healthcare providers and policy makers alike. These care transitions are occurring in the context of increasingly fragmented care and have been known to result in hospital readmissions, adverse events, and medication errors. The adolescents' transition between pediatric and the adult care system is not only fragmented but occurs at a time when they are most vulnerable and ill equipped for change. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to conduct a feasibility study to examine if the use of …


Relationship Between Horizontal Violence Among Registered Nurses And Falls, Elizabeth Densford Rocha Phd Apr 2014

Relationship Between Horizontal Violence Among Registered Nurses And Falls, Elizabeth Densford Rocha Phd

Dissertations

Background: Horizontal violence is a manifestation of oppressed group behavior leading to low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness among nurses. Horizontal violence leads to the creation of a hostile, unsafe work environment preventing nurses from performing at their highest potentials. A hostile work environment leads to a culture of unsafe patient care which may result in increased harm to patients. An understanding of why horizontal violence occurs and the implications of this phenomenon are the first steps in addressing this destructive behavior as well as protecting patients from harm. Health care environments must support nurses to perform at their best …


Factors Affecting Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors Among Arab American Women, Kholoud Khalil Phd Apr 2014

Factors Affecting Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors Among Arab American Women, Kholoud Khalil Phd

Dissertations

Guided by Pender and colleagues' (2006) revised health promotion model (HPM), this descriptive correlational study was designed to explore the relationships between personal factors (comprised of sociodemographic factors, degree of acculturation, and perceived stress), perceived health self-efficacy, perceived social support, and health promotion lifestyle behaviors (HPLBs) among a group of Arab American women (AAW) living in Southern California. A second purpose was to explore the psychometric properties of the translated version of the perceived health competence scale (PHCS). A convenience sample of 267 AAW were administered a paper copy of a self-reported survey. Four of the study's five standardized measures …


Relationship Between Participation In Nurse Externship Program And Rn Retention And Quality Care, Lourdes C. Salandanan Phd Apr 2014

Relationship Between Participation In Nurse Externship Program And Rn Retention And Quality Care, Lourdes C. Salandanan Phd

Dissertations

Study Background. Nurse externship programs were initially developed by healthcare institutions as a recruitment tool for new nurses. Literature has demonstrated the positive outcomes of the program on the participants and healthcare institutions but during times of economic difficulties, health care institutions discontinue the program. The studies that demonstrate the value of the program are limited to the recruitment phase and the 2-year retention of the newly graduated nurses. There is a need to demonstrate the value of the program in terms quality of care and long term RN retention. Research Questions. The three research questions this study addressed include: …


Does Participation In A Multi-Modal Activity-Based Program Impacts On Functional Recovery, And Quality Of Life In Adults With Spinal Cord Injury?, Carolyn S. Gerber Phd, Msn, Rn Apr 2014

Does Participation In A Multi-Modal Activity-Based Program Impacts On Functional Recovery, And Quality Of Life In Adults With Spinal Cord Injury?, Carolyn S. Gerber Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between relevant personal factors, participation in a multi-modal activity-based training program, and the program's impact on an individual's level of functional recovery, and overall quality of life in adults with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). A descriptive, correlational design was performed on a secondary analysis dataset to conduct this study. Inferential statistics were performed with mixed ANOVA's on measures of ASIA UEM and LEM scores, EuroQol, and SWLS to compare their means. The study proposed that participation in a multi-modal activity-based training program would be associated with greater functional recovery, less …


Determinants Of Physical Activity In Arab American Children, Wearn Alkhatib Phd Mar 2014

Determinants Of Physical Activity In Arab American Children, Wearn Alkhatib Phd

Dissertations

Physical activity is an integral part of preventing and managing childhood and adolescent obesity. Lack of regular physical activity has negative impact on physical and psychosocial health. Arab Americans (AAs), one of the most rapidly growing minorities in United States, tend to have a high prevalence of obesity and low participation in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to describe determinants of physical activity, including self-efficacy, social support, physical environment, and selected demographics among AA children in Southern California. A descriptive correlational study using a cross sectional design was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by children (N=206) recruited …