Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Silent Epidemic: Equipment Maintenance Failures And Patient Outcomes In Ghana's Healthcare System, Ramseyer Adekorang Asamoah, Celene Dzreke, Evans Dzreke, David Kanzin

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Broken tools indicate a broken system. This new study reveals how medical equipment failures destroy Ghana's public hospitals, turning life-saving technologies into silent murderers that disproportionately affect rural areas. Moving beyond technical diagnostics, we study the cascading systemic failures, chronic underfunding, critical staff shortages, and fragmented supply chains that leave 40% of vital equipment, such as ventilators, MRI scanners, and dialysis machines, inoperable at any given time. We quantify the devastating human toll through rigorous mixed-methods analysis of equipment downtime records across ten regional hospitals (2018-2023) and profound narratives from 50 frontline stakeholders, doctors forced to improvise without working incubators, …

Bioinspired Ruthenium-Manganese-Oxygen Complex For Biocatalytic And Radiosensitization Therapies To Eradicate Primary And Metastatic Tumors, Ruidan Li, Ting Wang, Shengdong Mu, Zhenyu Xing, Zhiying Ding, Qinlong Wen, Zhigong Wei, Xiaolin Wang, Mohsen Adeli, Shuang Li, Chong Cheng, Xingchen Peng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Designing efficient, biocompatible radiation-sensitive materials to activate systemic immune responses can maximize tumoricidal effects against malignant tumors. Here, inspired by natural Mn-peroxidase, we propose the de novo design of the RuMn-oxygen complex (MnBTC-Ru) for biocatalytic and radiosensitization therapies to eradicate primary and metastatic tumors. Our results reveal that Mn-organic ligands can enhance the electron density of Ru clusters, thereby optimizing their binding to oxygen species and resulting in high reactive oxygen species and oxygen generation. Accordingly, MnBTC-Ru with radiation can enhance cell membrane and DNA damage, triggering apoptosis though oxidative damage, heightening radiosensitization, and activating CD8

Single Balloon Enteroscopy In The Elderly, Marc J Zuckerman, Majd Michael, Mohammad Bashashati, Alok K Dwivedi, Nancy A Casner, Mohamed O Othman, Sherif E Elhanafi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is a minimally invasive procedure to assess and treat small bowel pathologies. The most common use is to detect suspected small bowel bleeding: Insignificant gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). The safety and feasibility of SBE in the elderly has not been adequately studied.

Aim: To assess the safety and feasibility of both antegrade and retrograde SBE in elderly patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all antegrade and retrograde SBE done at our center from March 2011 through May 2020. We collected patient's data including demographics, indications, findings, therapeutic interventions, and …

Effects Of A Wellness Program On Perceived Stress And Occupational Balance With Occupational Therapy Students, Sean M. Brim, Kristian Llaca, Arlenys Loffredo, Jacqueline Achon, Marcia Hamilton

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Abstract

Occupational therapy (OT) students often experience elevated stress and burnout due to the demanding nature of their academic programs, which can negatively affect their occupational balance and overall well-being. Promoting student wellness is essential to supporting both academic success and mental health. This quantitative pilot study examined the effects of a wellness program on perceived stress and occupational balance among graduate OT students in Southern Florida. Participants attended one of four structured sessions—Prioritization, Organization Strategies, Mindfulness Training, or Yoga—and completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ) before and after each session. Data was collected from …

Exploring The Visibility Of Mission, Vision, And Values In Allied Healthcare Education, Matthew Vraa

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: This study investigated the visibility and accessibility of mission, vision, and values statements on websites of entry-level allied health care programs (occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology). The primary objective was to determine the ease of locating these statements on program websites and how their visibility varies by program characteristics.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 300 randomly selected accredited programs (100 per profession) across the United States. Each program’s website was evaluated to determine the visibility and accessibility of its mission, vision, and values statements, defined by their presence within two clicks of the homepage. …

Using The Personal Health Inventory To Support Engagement In Mindfulness For Veterans With Ptsd: Mixed Methods Secondary Data Analysis, Emily M. Johnson, Mia R. Zappala, Jacob Scharer, Kyle Possemato

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Mindfulness has many potential benefits to physical and mental health but requires many hours of practice to attain the strongest benefits. Mindfulness interventions delivered within the context of primary care settings are often brief, so independent practice beyond the training context is important. Motivational factors are important predictors of sustained practice and different types of motivational factors are associated with different likelihood of sustained practice. The Personal Health Inventory (PHI) is a publicly available personal health planning tool that assesses motivational factors related to self-care behaviors like mindfulness. Our objective was to understand how the PHI can support patient engagement …

Exploring The Relationship Of Integrated Behavioral And Primary Healthcare With Wellness Profiles: Implications For Counseling Practice, Alexander M. Fields, Dodie Limberg, Angie Starrett

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

This study utilizes the Indivisible Self Model (IS-WEL) and latent profile analysis (LPA) to investigate the relationship between integrated behavioral and primary healthcare and wellness profiles. A national sample of 466 adults who received counseling services within the last year completed surveys assessing wellness (5F-WEL), integrated care levels, and demographic variables. LPA identified four wellness profiles: Comfortably Well, Managed Well, Approaching Well, and Disconnected Well, each associated with unique demographic, physical, and mental health characteristics. Despite theoretical links between integrated care and wellness, the relationship between reported levels of care integration and wellness profiles was not statistically significant, highlighting limitations …

Counselor Educators’ Experiences Teaching About Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, Lauren B. Robins, Clarence K. Bumpas, Cearra Arnold, Deonna Stinson, Samantha Ewing, Bre Williams

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Counselor education gradually integrates training for practice in Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (IBH), where mental and physical health services collaborate to improve client outcomes. Despite its benefits, IBH education remains inconsistent, leaving many graduates underprepared for interdisciplinary settings. This qualitative study explores counselor educators’ experiences teaching IBH, identifying challenges, strategies, and best practices for improving student readiness. Findings highlight the need for structured training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and faculty development to advance IBH integration in counseling curricula.

Techno-Enviro-Economic Approach For Electrification Of Rural And Shrimp Farming Regional Development Of An Isolated Island In Indonesia By Utilizing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems, Fiqih Akbar Wijaya, Mohammad Akita Indianto

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

One of the challenges in developing and archipelagic countries such as Indonesia is maintaining energy demand in rural and isolated areas due to difficulties in electrical distribution. For instance, in areas like Bawean Island, no additional electricity capacity has been introduced in the past year, leading to an unmet potential customer demand. One of the possible options is by utilizing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) that are integrated with existing fossil fuel-based energy systems to support the growing energy demand in the remote island. A case study in Bawean Island is conducted with the projected energy demand covers the energy …

Remaining Life Assessment And Fitness For Service Evaluation Of Aging Chemical Reactors In Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin Industry, Aditya Pahlawan Munthe, Donanta Dhaneswara, Wahyuaji Narottama Putra, Gama Widyaputra

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Aging chemical reactors in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin industry require comprehensive evaluation to ensure safe continued operation. This study conducts a remaining life assessment (RLA) and fitness-for-service (FFS) evaluation on five 30-year-old reactors, based on API 510, API 579/ASME FFS-1, and ASME BPVC Section VIII Div. 1 standards. The analysis involves corrosion rate measurement, future corrosion allowance (FCA) projection, and minimum thickness verification. Among the reactors, R-120 was found to have the shortest remaining life less than 15 years. FFS assessments using three criteria Average Measured Thickness, MAWP from Point Thickness Readings, and Minimum Measured Thickness confirm that R-120 …

Exploring The Positive Mental Health Effects Of Participation In College Athletics, Erin J. Harvey, Devin B. Hefner, Lily C. Pysher, Blake A. Green

Graduate Student Scholarship

Abstract

Exploring the Positive Mental Health Effects of Participation in College Athletics

College students participate in sports for positive physical effects, but does this participation increase the students’ mental health positively, too? This research paper seeks to answer this question to determine how occupational therapists and other professionals working with the population of collegiate athletes can have the best outcomes for their clients. While many studies have been conducted to show how sports participation leads to benefits of individuals’ physical health, few studies have been conducted to determine if participation in sports at the collegiate level benefits students’ mental health …

Effectiveness Of Leadership Rounding In Reducing Patient-Related Falls In A Medical-Surgical Unit, Elsie-Solange Mvoueng Nkoi-Mimba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary In this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, I evaluated whether the project site organization’s implementation of leadership rounding reduced patient falls within a medical-surgical unit. Despite established fall prevention strategies, the unit continued to experience ongoing incidents, prompting the implementation of structured leadership rounding. The practice-focused question assessed changes in fall rates over a 3-month postintervention period compared to the preceding 3 months. A retrospective chart review was conducted from December 2023 to June 2024, excluding March 2024 due to partial implementation. I used descriptive statistics to analyze trends. The average monthly fall rate remained stable at 2.67 …

Management Of Critically Ill Patients Following Earthquake Disasters, Esat Kivanç Kaya, Burçi̇n Halaçli, Mehmet Yildirim, Arzu Topeli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The devastating earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkiye on February 6, 2023, emphasized the profound societal and healthcare challenges posed by natural disasters. These events highlighted the essential need for healthcare professionals to be well-prepared and equipped with the expertise to manage such crises effectively. Earthquake-induced trauma presents a wide array of medical and surgical complications, frequently requiring urgent hospitalization and specialized management for critically ill patients. However, the limited availability of comprehensive data and evidence-based guidelines complicates optimal care delivery in these scenarios. This review outlines current recommendations for the multidisciplinary management of critically ill patients with earthquake-related trauma. It …

Evaluation Of Rheumatic Etiologies Underlying Childhood-Onset Arthritis, Seher Şener, Erdal Atalay, Ezgi̇ Deni̇z Batu, Cansu Ayten Tatar, Özge Başaran, Yelda Bi̇lgi̇ner, Seza Özen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Childhood-onset arthritis may result from various rheumatic diseases. This study aimed to systematically evaluate their distribution and characteristics in a large pediatric cohort.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed all pediatric patients who presented with arthritis to the pediatric rheumatology clinic between January 2000 and January 2023.

Results: A total of 1713 pediatric patients who presented with arthritis were included in this study (median age at diagnosis: 6.8 years; F/M = 1.2). Most of the patients (n = 859, 50.1%) had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (especially oligoarticular JIA). Patients with familial Mediterranean fever, comprising 277 individuals (16.2%) presented with …

Discontinuation Of Hydroxychloroquine Due To Suspected Retinal Toxicity In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus And The Role Of Multimodal Imaging, Burak İnce, Mehmet Bedi̇i̇ Oğurel, Zafer Cebeci̇, Yavuz Burak Tor, Yasemi̇n Yalçinkaya, Ahmet Gül, Murat İnanç, Bahar Artim Esen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To evaluate the effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on disease activity and damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in whom HCQ had previously been discontinued due to retinal toxicity, and to examine and reevaluate toxicity findings through a detailed ophthalmological examination.

Materials and methods: Patients with SLE who had been on HCQ for at least 3 years after achieving lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) following remission induction, and were followed up for at least 3 years after HCQ discontinuation due to retinal toxicity diagnosed by visual field testing, were analysed. Disease activity, the number and severity of …

Evaluation Of Metabolic Uptake In Gynecological Organs Using Fdg-Pet In Women Diagnosed With Non-Gynecological Malignancies, Funda Atalay, Uğurcan Zorlu, Koray Aslan, Fatma Batak, Tuba Zengi̇n Aksel, Güli̇n Uçmak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Gynecological malignancies, including those affecting the uterus, cervix, vagina, vulva, and adnexa, pose significant physical and psychosocial burdens. Early detection and effective management of these malignancies are critical for improving outcomes. This study aims to evaluate metabolic uptake patterns in gynecological organs using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and to analyze their malignancy potential in women with nongynecological cancers.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 221 women with nongynecological malignancies who exhibited pathological FDG uptake in gynecological organs on FDG-PET/CT imaging. Lesions were evaluated based on the standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax), morphological characteristics on contrast-enhanced …

Diagnostic Accuracy And Potential Triage Utility Of The Shetty Test In Foot And Ankle Trauma: A Cross-Sectional Study, Burcu Doğan, Seval Komut, Erdal Komut, Nezi̇h Kavak, Osmancan Güneş, Anilcan Tahsi̇n Karahan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Foot and ankle trauma represents a common reason for emergency department visits. While the majority of cases involve soft tissue injuries, radiographic imaging is frequently overutilized due to concerns about missed fractures, leading to increased costs and emergency department crowding. The Shetty test, a recently introduced clinical decision rule, may serve as a simpler alternative to established tools such as the Ottawa ankle rules. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Shetty test and its potential role as a supportive tool within existing triage systems for patients presenting with foot and ankle trauma.

Materials and methods: …

Ultrasonographic And Elastographic Evaluation Of Plantar Fascia And Achilles Tendon Alterations In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Rifat Bozkuş, İhsani̇ye Süer Doğan, Berna Turhan, Sümeyya Duran Kaymak, Mustafa Hulusi̇ Kurt, Rasi̇me Peli̇n Kavak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The primary aim of this study is to compare the thickness and stiffness of the PF and AT between healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A secondary objective is to explore the correlations between the thickness and stiffness of the PF and AT with diabetes duration (in months) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in T2DM patients without peripheral neuropathy or foot ulcers, with peripheral neuropathy or with foot ulcers.Material and Methods: A total of 289 participants, including 117 healthy volunteers (Group A) and 172 T2DM patients (59.5%), matched for age, sex, and body mass index, …

Detection And Quantification Of Microplastics In Cerumen, Bengi̇ Arslan, Yüce İslamoğlu, Ali̇ Sami̇ Berçi̇n, Selen Akbulut, Mehmet Meli̇koğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Microplastics (MPs) are a growing concern due to their pervasive environmental presence and potential environmental and human exposure impacts. Given evidence of systemic MP presence in human tissues and fluids, and the ear canal's environmental exposure, this novel study aimed to identify these particles in human cerumen. Cerumen was collected from the proximal ear canal to minimize potential airborne contamination.

Materials and methods: Cerumen samples were prospectively collected from 12 adult patients (23 patient-derived specimens) and 3 control water samples, following ethical approval and consent. Samples were extracted using sterile instruments, stored in glass, diluted, and filtered through 0.22 …

Addition Of Antimicrobials To Oral Sprays Containing Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Does Not Reduce The Severity Of Postoperative Sore Throat: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Peli̇n Yildiz, Mobi̇n Hemmati̇, Leyla Kutlucan, Tankut Uzun, Togay Müderri̇s

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication following general anesthesia that significantly affects patient satisfaction, prolongs recovery, and increases treatment costs. This study aimed to evaluate whether the addition of antimicrobial agents to NSAID-based oral sprays could enhance the preventive efficacy against POST.

Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 105 patients (ASA I–II; age 18–65 years) scheduled for elective ear surgery under general orotracheal anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: a placebo group; a flurbiprofen oral spray group; and a group receiving an oral spray containing benzydamine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine digluconate, and …

Are Paraplegic Wheelchair Users Vulnerable To Overuse Syndromes?, Kutay Tezel, Esra Ülgen Kiratlioğlu, Hüseyi̇n Kayadi̇bi̇, İlkay Karabay, Mi̇tat Cebeci̇, Eda Gürçay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background and Aims: The purposes of this study are to determine the frequency of upper extremity overuse syndromes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) using manual wheelchairs, to evaluate them clinically and sonographically, and to reveal possible factors that predispose to overuse syndromes.

Materials and methods: A total of 38 traumatic SCI patients who were over 18 years of age and manual wheelchair users were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The patients were evaluated with clinical and sonographic findings of the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints. Functional capacity, physical ability and symptoms of upper extremity, and quality of …

Treadmill-Based Submaximal Vo₂ Estimation In Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: Can A Model Derived From Healthy Individuals Be Valid?, Levent Karataş, Esra Sena Orbak Yeni̇dünya, Nesri̇n Demi̇rsoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Existing treadmill-based VO₂ prediction models may not accurately estimate submaximal VO₂ in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), as they are often derived from healthy populations. This study aimed to develop and validate a submaximal VO₂ prediction model derived from healthy individuals and tested for generalizability in CAD patients by incorporating clinically relevant parameters.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted with 101 participants (54 healthy, 47 CAD patients) undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing using the modified Bruce protocol. To better represent the submaximal VO₂ reached during exercise, the average VO₂ in the last minute of each stage was …

Prognostic Role Of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index And Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value In Acute Methanol Poisoning, Hati̇ce Şahi̇n, Gülay Ulusal Okyay, Fatma Ayerden Ebi̇nç, Fevzi̇ Coşkun Sökmen, Emre Yaşar, Gülşen Akçay, Mehmet Deni̇z Ayli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Acute methanol poisoning (MP) poses a significant public health challenge, with inflammation increasingly recognized as a key factor in its pathophysiology. Identifying accessible and reliable prognostic biomarkers could help enhance clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and the Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV), measured upon emergency department admission, in predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with acute MP.Material and methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with acute MP at two tertiary care centers in Ankara, Türkiye [University of Health Sciences Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Education and Research Hospital (January 1, 2015–October 1, …

Mirna-Target Gene Network Analysis In Siblings With Cystic Fibrosis And Phenotypic Variability, Ayberk Mustafaoğlu, Senem Noyan, Yeli̇z Z. Akkaya Ulum, Bala Gür Dedeoğlu, Nagehan Emi̇rali̇oğlu, Uğur Özçeli̇k, Ebru Yalçin, Deni̇z Doğru, Nural Ki̇per, Di̇dem Dayangaç Erden

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CF is characterized by respiratory tract infections, pancreatic insufficiency, meconium ileus, intestinal obstruction, and male infertility. A genotype to phenotype correlation is difficult to establish because of the heterogeneity of disease severity. Even patients with the same CFTR mutation can have varying clinical severities. In recent years, studies have explored the role of microRNA (miRNA) expression in the regulation of respiratory diseases. However, no research has been conducted to date on miRNAs in siblings with the same CFTR mutation. …

Metabolic And Genotypic Characterization Of Meropenem Susceptible And Resistant Serratia Marcescens Isolates, Şeyma Ni̇gi̇z, Gülşen Hazirolan, Gülşen Altinkanat Gelmez, Ceren Özkul Koçak, Engi̇n Koçak, Sevi̇lay Erdoğan Kablan, Emi̇rhan Nemutlu, Aycan Gündoğdu, Fatma Bayrakdar, Ufuk Hasdemi̇r, Deni̇z Gür

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Serratia marcescens which is a nosocomial pathogen, is naturally resistant to a wide spectrum of antibiotics, which makes the management of infections difficult. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro susceptibilities of S. marcescens to ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and to compare the metabolic profiles of meropenemresistant isolates under basal conditions and after exposure to sublethal concentrations of meropenem.

Materials and methods: A total of 84 S. marcescens isolates were included from various samples. Genes for meropenem resistance were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genetic similarities among isolates of S. marcescens were …

Letter To The Editor Regarding “Kılıçarslan A, Kurt Çevik G, Doğan M, Aksoy Altınboğa A, Ceran F, Et Al. Does Cd47 Expression Have Prognostic Significance In Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma? Turkish Journal Of Medical Sciences: 2025; 55 (1): 22”, Burcu Baba, Ayşegül Akbay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Erratum To " The Effect Of N-Acetylcysteine On Inflammation And Oxidative Stress In Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: A Rat Model " [ Turkish Journal Of Medical Sciences 49 6 1789 1799], İnayet Güntürk, Cevat Yazici, Kader Köse, Fatma Dağli, Bi̇lal Yücel, Arzu Yay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Due to an inadvertent error during the labeling of images in the figure included in the article, the authors have provided a revised version of the figure. In this updated version, the image corresponding to the NAC-250 group has been replaced with a new photograph, and all labels have been corrected accordingly.

This correction does not affect the conceptual content, results, statistical analysis, or conclusions of the article.The authors apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

The original article can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.3906/sag-1903-225

Erratum To " Vitamin D Deficiency And Surgical Cellulose Mimicking Parathyroid Adenomaafter Initial Parathyroidectomy " [ Turkish Journal Of Medical Sciences 55 3 696 701], Mustafa Şahi̇n, Volkan Genç, Koray Ceyhan, Demet Çorapçioğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

We have identified that the article type of our publication entitled “Vitamin D deficiency and surgical cellulose mimicking parathyroid adenomaafter initial parathyroidectomy" was mistakenly entered incorrectly during the submission process. This error occurred due to an oversight at the time of submission.The correct article type should be Case Report instead of the previously indicated type. This correction does not affect the scientific content, results, or conclusions of the article.We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to our readers and the indexing services.

The original article can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.6017

The Association Of Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries’ Characteristics And Their Experience During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Frank R. Tortorella

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the United States’ safety net program, Medicaid, for low-income individuals affecting access to care, increasing enrollment, and requiring new approaches to care delivery. The literature shows that beneficiaries’ personal characteristics influence their healthcare experience. This study investigated the association between Medicaid beneficiary characteristics and experience with their Medicaid health plan, examined if COVID-19 negatively impacted experience, and tested if COVID-19 moderated the relationship between beneficiary characteristics and experience.

Methods: The research sample was 76,976 adult Medicaid beneficiaries who voluntarily completed the annual Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) health plan surveys in 2018 …

"Please Hold Space For Them": The Role Of Mental Health Professionals In Supporting Bipoc Female Survivors Of Campus Sexual Assault, Brianna Josefine Ortega

Doctoral Dissertations

Campus sexual assault (CSA) remains a pervasive issue in the United States, disproportionately affecting women. Despite this, the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other Persons of Color (BIPOC) women are often underrepresented in the literature, limiting understanding of how best to support them. Based on intersectionality theory, this qualitative study explores how mental health professionals (MHPs) support BIPOC female survivors of CSA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six MHPs, and a thematic analysis framework uncovered seven key themes: disclosure (subtheme: barriers to disclosure), impacts of campus culture, fear and distrust, impact of campus sexual assault, coping, resources available for survivors, …