Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Emergency Department Thoracotomy As An Intervention For Penetrating Trauma To The Thoracic Cavity: A Systematic Review, Samuel Scherf

Theses and Graduate Projects

Emergent thoracic surgery involving the heart has been taking place for 126 years. Thoracic penetrating trauma is occurring more and more frequently in the US, and while 90% of patients with penetrating thoracic trauma die en route to hospital, the ones who arrive in extremis have better chances of survival now than ever due to an improving 60+ year practice of emergency department thoracotomy (EDT). This review has a primary objective of comparing the literature and history of EDT as a lifesaving intervention for patients with penetrating thoracic trauma and resulting mortality. It also aims to give context on EDT …

The Differences Between The Quality Of Life And Personal Health Profile Between Individuals Diagnosed With Celiac Disease And Those Who Follow A Gluten-Free Diet For Non-Celiac Reasons, Ellie Fuechtmann

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten proteins in wheat, barley, and rye, necessitating a strict gluten-free diet. However, many individuals without celiac disease are adopting gluten-free diets for various health reasons.

Purpose: This study compares the quality of life and health profile of individuals with celiac disease and those following a gluten-free diet for non-celiac reasons.

Methods: A survey was conducted and distributed via social media to people diagnosed with celiac disease and those adhering to a gluten-free diet non-celiac. The results were analyzed via Google Forms and Excel to better interpret the data for visualization. …

Medical Academic Burnout: A Us Problem Or A Worldwide Problem?, Ryan Rivard

Theses and Graduate Projects

Objective: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the provider shortage, the United States has been conducting a lot of research into the factors that lead to burnout amongst healthcare providers. One such area of particular focus has been academic burnout correlating to the training of future medical providers. The aim of this study will be to explore whether medical academic burnout is only prevalent in the United States or if other countries around the world have recognized this problem in their population of healthcare students and have started to pursue ways to address this problem. Methods: Through the …

Better Nature: How Nature Improves Our Health And How We Can Use Nature To Do Better, Alyssa K. Snyder

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research paper outlines the salubrious effects of exposure to green spaces and explores how healthcare providers in urban areas can leverage the benefits of green spaces to combat poor health outcomes from the chronic stress of urbanicity, particularly in disadvantaged populations. Focusing on the metropolitan area of Minnesota, this study acknowledges existing barriers and constraints of populations experiencing health inequities while analyzing data on green space accessibility and seeking solutions for those communities, particularly BIPOC and low-income. This paper synthesizes evidence from various studies that establish the positive associations between health and exposure to green spaces, which can also …

A Systematic Review Of The Long And Short-Term Effects Of Sports Related Concussions In Youth And Adolescent Athletes, Yasin Ahmed

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Sports-related concussions impact thousands of young athletes. They can lead to short- and long-term effects, such as headaches, behavioral changes, and memory issues. These consequences lead to general concerns about the safety of young athletes participating in sports. Comprehending the effects of concussions in this vulnerable population is crucial for developing more advanced preventive measures and management strategies. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, searching Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Augsburg University Lindell Library databases. Relevant studies were identified using specific terms. Articles were included based on their relevance to youth or adolescent athletes and sports-related concussions. Studies …

Barriers To Hpv Screening And Prevention In Latin America: A Systematic Review, Lauren Rutten

Theses and Graduate Projects

In Latin America, cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer and the fourth most leading cancer of women around the world, with an estimated 342,000 deaths in 2020.1 This systematic review of literature gives insight into Latin Americas barriers to Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) screening and prevention. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using google scholar, the WHO, and the CDC. Search terms included: barriers to HPV screening, cervical cancer, Latin America, Central America, Costa Rica, Prevention of HPV, and Human Papillomavirus. Three main barriers to HPV screening and prevention were found including, fear, lack of education, and …

The Effectiveness Of Laser Acupuncture In Pain Management: A Systematic Review, June Park

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Pain is a common symptom across many medical conditions that patients experience. Pain management is complex and may need a combination of several management techniques. Laser acupuncture(LA) has been previously used as an adjunct to conventional pain treatments.

Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of laser acupuncture in various fields of medical situations such as chronic pain, low back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, postoperative pain and dental procedures.

Methods: A computer based literature search of databases through GoogleScholar and PubMed was used to identify randomized controlled trials(RCTs) published after 2018 that studied the effect of LA in …

The Benefits And Limitations Of A Clinician Lead Sexual Education Program In Wisconsin Public Schools, Margaret Freiermuth

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Abstinence-based sexual education is the primary method of sexual education in public schools.4 The majority of public schools use teachers who may or not have proper training to teach the course. Comprehensive sexual education taught by clinicians could potentially decrease sexual risky behavior in the youth population.

Purpose: Identify potential benefits or limitations to a clinician-led sexual education program in Wisconsin public schools. Methods: Articles 2017 or newer were reviewed utilizing search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and NIH. A Google Forum with 18 questions was sent out to 420 Wisconsin public school administrators. It was open for …

Systematic Review Of The Effect Of Exercise On The Reduction Of Myocardial Remodeling Following A Myocardial Infarction Compared To A Sedentary Approach, Vladislav Gladis

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. Ventricular remodeling following a myocardial infarction leads to detrimental outcomes due to cardiovascular death and ventricular dysfunction. Exercise training is an adjunct strategy to reduce the myocardial remodeling process.

Purpose: The paper seeks to answer the following PICO question: P: Population with post- infarct myocardial-remodeling I: Exercise following a myocardial infarction C: Sedentary approach O: Prevention of deleterious myocardial remodeling post-MI

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was done using PubMed and Science Direct with articles published in 2019 or after. The search was conducted …

Safety First: Assessing First Aid Educational Needs Of Outdoor Education Participants, Melissa Niemiec

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Much of the general population has a lack of first aid knowledge, despite engaging in activities that might end in needing some level of medical care. Even when first aid education is gained, sometimes it is subpar or less relevant to wilderness excursions. In order to create a high quality wilderness first aid course, it should be interactive and take place in a wilderness setting. Having basic first aid skills increases confidence and reduces anxiety of participants, possibly reducing the rate of injury.

Purpose: This needs assessment sets out to determine the first aid needs and concerns held by …

Unique Posttraumatic Growth Expression Among Homeless Males Currently Enrolled In Chemical Dependency Treatment, Travis T. Mord

Theses and Graduate Projects

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) has gained considerable research and clinical attention for the past three decades. While the impact of PTG has been well-researched in relation to trauma exposure, medical ailments, or mood related conditions, there are still a number of mental health conditions requiring further analysis. The current study examined the relationship between PTG and key substance use significance indicators, including diagnostic severity of the use disorder and number of previous substance use treatment attempts, among a sample (N = 136) of adult men who were enrolled in a mental illness/chemical dependency (MICD) intensive outpatient program (IOP). This study also …

Improving Minnesota’S Access To Opioid Use Disorder Treatment And Naloxone, Annasha Doane-Ramkhalawon

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: In 2020, Minnesota recorded 4,920 admissions with associated opioid use for adults 18 years of age and older.1 2021 put Minnesota's Opioid-related overdose mortality number at 1,017 individuals.2 Methadone and Buprenorphine as MOUD is the first line treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and long-time management as the standard of care.3 Naloxone is the drug of choice for opioid reversal and overdose prevention.3

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the barriers that OUD feel when attempting to receive treatment for OUD and access Naloxone. The indication is the number of OUD- related admissions and OUD-related overdose fatalities. In addition, the …

Patient Positioning To Prevent Pressure Injuries, Maria D. Trevis

Theses and Graduate Projects

Skincare is an important intervention to prevent pressure injuries (PIs) during hospitalization. Prolonged pressure on a body part can result in restricted blood flow and oxygen, inadequate nutrition, and varying degrees of tissue damage, ultimately leading to a PI. Patients who have undergone surgery or have limited mobility are particularly vulnerable to developing PIs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services made a ruling in 2008 that hospitals would not be reimbursed for any hospital-acquired PIs as they are costly and preventable. Unfortunately, there is a knowledge gap in PI prevention due to a shortage of nursing staff, and changes …

Studios: New Tools At Mainehealth To Improve Research And Engage Stakeholders, Carrie Sullivan, Paige Aherns, Emma Daybranch, Lisbeth Balligan, Elizabeth A. Jacobs, Susan L. Santangelo

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2023

An introduction, description of benefits, and additional information about the new tools of the studios at MaineHealth.

Importance Of Deep Inspiration Breath Hold For Left Breast Cancer Treatment, Cassandra Benderavich, Elaine Halesey

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Abstract

This project explains the importance of deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique for treating left breast and chest wall tumors. General statistics, definition of gating and DIBH, inclusion and exclusion criteria, dose reduction, differences of free breathing and DIBH techniques, and expected outcome are also discussed. Breast cancer is the leading cause of female deaths in the United States, and left breast cancer diagnosis is more common than right breast cancer diagnosis. Left breast cancer diagnosis accounts for 50.8% of breast cancer diagnosis and right breast cancer accounts for the remaining 49.2%. The risk of breast cancer diagnosis in …

Artificial Intelligence In Computed Tomography, Cheyenne Dippre

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Abstract

This research project explains the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and the ways that AI can be useful in computed tomography (CT). The current state of AI application in CT is still new yet has been advancing with its significant impact on diagnosis, image analyses and patient care. These impacts deal with the challenges that have traditionally been associated with CT scans through a series of techniques and algorithms. In CT, computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a common procedure which is used to diagnose cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide. AI can assist with such a …

High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy For Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer, Morgan Kraack

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Arterial Closure Devices, Colin Hart

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

The intention of this poster is to provide information on the various devices and methods for achieving hemostasis after arterial access has been used for cardiac catheterization procedures. There are a multitude of closure devices being utilized to stop patient bleeding following a cardiac catheterization procedure, and keeping up with the information and data related to these devices can be complex. Suture based, collagen based, patch based, membrane based, pressure bands, as well as application of manual pressure are some of the devices and/or methods that will be examined within this project. A thorough overview of these closure devices currently …

Sgrt Eliminates Need For Patient Tattoos In Radiation Therapy, Gina Hemsley

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Surface Guided Radiation Therapy, or SGRT, is a rapidly growing technology designed to improve radiation treatment accuracy of nearly every cancer type without the need for permanent skin tattoos. Patients were typically marked with 3 tattoos, indicating patient setup marks and isocenter marks. SGRT is an external beam radiation therapy technique which uses three-dimensional camera technology to accurately target and kill cancer cells. During patient setup and treatment, the technology uses the patient’s external surface to guarantee that the radiation dose is being consistently applied in accordance with the treatment plan, as well as tracking any patient motion throughout treatment. …

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (Tavr), Jocelyn Bergener

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is becoming the gold standard when repairing aortic stenosis compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is minimally invasive. Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular disease in the United States, commonly seen in the elderly population. In this project, multi-imaging modalities are discussed when preparing a patient for TAVR such as computed tomography, left heart catheterization, and transthoracic echocardiography. Each imaging modality has its own specialty in the preprocedural planning of a valve replacement. Computed tomography uses 3D reconstruction to determine the type of valve and size needed for the …

Subdural Hematomas And The Help Of Computed Tomography, Kelsey Jackson

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Subdural hematomas can occur at any age but are most commonly seen in the elderly population. Subdural hematomas affects 21 in every 100,000 individuals, and are becoming more common. They can occur for a variety of reasons such as trauma or underlying health conditions. Subdural hematomas occur due to a collection of blood in the subdural space between the dura and arachnoid mater. Computed tomography is the best imaging modality in the aiding of diagnosing subdural hematomas due to the easy accessibility, short scan times, and the ability to create cross sectional images. Subdural hematomas can be classified into categories …

Research Annual Report Fy2023, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Research Annual Reports

Annual report of the research at Children's Mercy Kansas City in Kansas City MO, a pediatric medical center.

What Do People Affected By Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Want From Health Communications? Evidence From The Als Talk Project, Shelagh K. Genuis, Westerly Luth, Tania M. Bubela, Wendy S. Johnston

Office of the Provost

Introduction/aims: Health communication is central to effective, supportive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical care. Guidance for ALS communication is limited, focuses on diagnosis disclosure, and frequently relies on expert consensus and/or reviews. Patient-based evidence is needed to guide ALS health communication. We investigated how the experiences of ALS patients and family caregivers can inform effective communication practices from diagnosis to end-of-life.
Methods: Data were drawn from the ALS Talk Project, an asynchronous, online focus group study. Seven focus groups and five interviews (105 participants) were conducted. Data were qualitatively analyzed using directed content analysis and the constant-comparative approach.
Results: We …

Researching Medical Treatment Assessments From United States Military Veterans Diagnosed With Substance Use Disorder, And Determining Interest In The Matrix Model Of Treatment For Potential Application In Their Treatment Programs, Christopher R. Strunk

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this research study is to learn the beliefs and thoughts on the current state of medical treatment provided to United States (US) military Veterans diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD), and gauge Veterans’ levels of interest and support in the potential application of the Matrix Model of Treatment (MMT) in their healthcare programs. This proposal focused on verifying the Veterans’ interest in the MMT model since the US Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) does not currently implement this full-spectrum, 16-week treatment system. It is believed interest will be strong enough to merit supporting its consideration with approving …

Hearing Aid Loan Program For Hearing Loss At The End Of Life, M. Courtney Hughes, Diane Schecklong, King Chung

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

This article describes a hearing aid loan program to provide free amplification devices for patients at the end of life to help them communicate more effectively at this critical time. It includes steps for establishing such a program, addressing challenges, and the role of the informal caregiver throughout the intervention. Healthcare professionals and social workers are encouraged to develop similar programs and use the information here as helpful suggestions to consider for their programs.

Determinants Of Progression Of Gestational Hypertension To Severe Preeclampsia And Eclampsia Among Postnatal Women At Machakos County Referral Hospital, Eunice Mwikali Muia

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Worldwide, maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant women pose a major challenge which is mainly brought by hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Progression of gestational hypertension to severe preeclampsia contribute a lot in adverse birth outcomes hence posing a great challenge especially in developing countries. The study seeks to determine the factors leading to progression of gestational hypertension to severe preeclampsia by checking the sociodemographic factors, maternal obstetrical factors, medical factors and adverse birth outcomes. The study used descriptive cross-sectional design, including all mothers who had a diagnosis of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and delivered in Machakos level 5 hospital. …

Factors That Lead To Poor Oral Health In Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jaskiran Kaur Bains

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Maintaining dental health is vital as it contributes to the psychological well-being of an individual and the overall systemic health through preventing chronic diseases. Unfortunately, poor oral health has been identified as a common trend in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There is limited research regarding the barriers that result in rates of increased dental manifestations in patients with ASD compared to neurotypical individuals. This study strived to identify the barriers that contribute to poor oral health in individuals with ASD in order to establish interventions to break those barriers and improve overall dental health in the Autism community. …

Evaluating Digital Cognitive Biomarkers As A Noninvasive Diagnostic Tool For Alzheimer's Disease: Correlations With Classic Csf Biomarkers, Kasey Corripio

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 35 million people. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes. Digital Cognitive Biomarkers (DCBs) offer a promising approach for early detection and disease management, quantifying cognitive processes of encoding and retrieval through a hierarchical Bayesian cognitive processing model using wordlist memory tests. We hypothesize that DCBs will correlate with classic AD cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers (Aβ42, T-tau, p-tau) in patients with varying cognitive decline levels compared to healthy elderly controls. Using Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data and paired Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, our results support the hypothesis, indicating …

Understanding School Shootings Using Qualitatively-Informed Natural Language Processing, Quan K. Do

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Prior literature has investigated the connection between school shootings and factors of familial trauma and mental health. Specifically, experiences related to parental suicide, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, marital violence, or severe bullying have been associated with a propensity for carrying out a mass shooting. Given prior research has shown common histories among school shooters, it follows that a person's violent tendencies can be revealed by their previous communications with others, thus aiding in predicting an individual's proclivity for school shootings. However, previous literature found no conclusions were drawn from online posts made by the shooters prior to the mass …

Therapeutic Gardening And Its Effects On Depressive Symptoms In Dementia Care, Shannon E. Norton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To present a literature review of the positive effects and overall reduction of depressive symptoms that an intervention such as therapeutic gardening has on individuals living within memory care facilities.

Background: As most humans age, they often lose abilities or skills that they have had for their entire lives (e.g. driving, grooming, toileting, seeing and/or hearing). By implementing programs that involve therapeutic garden therapy, individuals with dementia who are at greater risk for clinical depressive symptoms may find that this alternative approach improves their symptoms.

Methods: A comprehensive, electronic, literature search in the CINAHL database was completed and included …