Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Impact Of A Workshop On Rural Healthcare Delivery On Medical Student Attitudes, Robert L. Snedegar, Ryan Hayes, Jun Xiang, Treah Haggerty, Kendra Unger, Jason Oreskovich, Amie M. Ashcraft

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rural residents in the United States (U.S.) experience significant health disparities due to social determinants such as poverty, geographic isolation, and limited healthcare access. Physician shortages in rural areas further exacerbate these challenges.

Purpose: This study evaluates the impact of an educational workshop on medical students’ attitudes toward rural healthcare barriers, aiming to determine whether targeted education can enhance their understanding and interest in rural practice.

Methods: Third-year medical students at the West Virginia University School of Medicine participated in a workshop that included a 20-minute pre-recorded lecture and a 90-minute interactive virtual session. Pre- and post-surveys assessed students’ …

Interventions To Promote Menstrual Health Among Adolescents In Lmic’S: Protocol For A Systematic Review, Precilla Dsilva, Sudhir Prabhu Dr, Prajna Kumari Dr, Baby S. Nayak Dr, Judith Noronha Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Background: Menarche brings out significant change in each girl’s life. Coping with the discomforts and adopting the body changes becomes a biggest challenge for every teen. Cost effective non pharmacological interventions will help to bring about improvement in the general wellbeing and quality of life in each adolescents life.

Objective: This review aims to determine the different menstrual interventions adopted by adolescent girls residing in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC’s). The Review question will be :What interventions are currently available, and how do they contribute in promoting menstrual health among adolescents from LMICs

Methods: This review will include …

Dnp Final Report: Hypertension Education In The Primary Care Setting, Michelle L. Sanders

DNP Final Reports

Background: Hypertension is a significant concern at the global, national, and local levels. If left untreated or improperly managed, it can result in severe health issues. Many patients in primary care settings have difficulty controlling their hypertension, which can lead to significant complications.

Practice question: What strategies can be implemented to help patients in primary care manage their hypertension more effectively?

PICOT: For patients age 18+ in a rural primary care clinic (P), how does the use of an education pamphlet (I) compared to no pamphlet use (C) affect patient management of hypertension(O) in three months? (T)

Body of …

Bridging The Gap: Optimizing Outpatient Care Delivery In Rural Kenya Through A Telemedicine Workflow Training Initiative, Elizabeth K. Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Access to timely, high-quality outpatient care in rural Kenya is constrained by workforce shortages, geographic barriers, and inefficiencies in care delivery. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project evaluated the impact of implementing a structured telemedicine workflow and training program for a regional mission hospital in the highlands of Western Kenya and its satellite outpatient clinic. Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, Kotter's Change Theory, and the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, the project employed a quasi-experimental, pre-post design, with eight medical providers participating in structured workshops, interactive telemedicine simulations, and workflow integration exercises. Impacts were …

Standardizing Care: Strengthening Dka Protocol Implementation Among Emergency Department Nurses, Toni Joy Angelique Biliran Miculob

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The objective of this project was to address the inconsistent understanding and utilization of the Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol in a high-acuity emergency department within a large hospital system, where baseline survey results showed that 84% of nurses found the DKA order set confusing and only 15% felt “very comfortable” applying it.

Aim: The aim was to improve nurse clarity, confidence, and consistency in using the DKA protocol to support timely, evidence-based management of this high-risk, time-sensitive condition.

Methods: The intervention consisted of brief, targeted education delivered during pre-shift huddles across day and night shifts, focusing …

Improving Pressure Injury Prevention With Educational Programs For Caregivers And Nurses, Michella B. Kahanding

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Pressure injuries are preventable with adequate interventions and knowledge by healthcare staff; however, skilled nursing facilities struggle with pressure ulcer prevention (PUP). Patient suffering and associated costs with treating these injuries are considerable.

Context: Staff education in knowledge regarding PUP is lacking, and annual PUP education is ineffective in reducing the number of pressure injuries in these facilities.

Interventions: Staff education on prevention strategies includes education, pre- and post-knowledge assessments, return demonstration and product use will be implemented

Measures: Results from the baseline knowledge of appropriate PUP in caregivers, pre- and post-test for knowledge retention, teach back techniques to …

Expanding Epilepsy Representation: On Education And Awareness, Aliyah Wise

Honors Projects

The present-day American public education system has evolved to try to teach young students about more cultures and people of different lifestyles. However, despite these reforms to push for an inclusive education system, there is still minimal effort to teach students about disabilities and the people who live with them. As a student living with epilepsy, I have observed a lack of education or conversation about this disability. The purpose of this research project is to ask: How does miseducation on epilepsy contribute to harmful stereotypes and lead to real issues for people living with this disability? How should neurotypical …

Validation Of The Evaluating Nursing And Curriculum For Transformation Tool For Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Curriculum Integration, Kendra M. Barrier, Mary Dioise Ramos

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) emphasizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a foundational element for professional nursing education, crucial for preparing students to care for diverse patient populations. The purpose was to develop and validate an instrument to measure the extent to which DEI elements are integrated throughout the nursing curriculum. Methods: The ENACT (Evaluating Nursing and Curriculum for Transformation) was developed through a comprehensive process involving several phases: tool development based on DEI elements, framing each element within the Nursing Process (ADPIE), preliminary evaluation, obtaining content validity index (CVI) from experts, renaming the tool …

Improving Self-Efficacy Among Clinical Instructors: The Impact Of Communication Education On Handling Lateral Violence, Emma Guidry

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The quality improvement (QI) project aims to determine if clinical instructors perceive changes in self-efficacy in communication skills specific to lateral violence (LV) situations secondary to an educational intervention. Currently, clinical nurse instructors lack education specifically addressing communication strategies to utilize when LV occurs in the clinical setting. Banduras Social Cognitive Theory, Lewin’s Change Theory and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) were employed as frameworks in the development of this project. Methods used in this quasi-experimental design project include administration of the Self Efficacy to Address Disruptive Behaviors Scale (SADBS) survey to project participants, nursing clinical instructors. The evidence-based practice (EBP) intervention …

More Girls In The Classroom Improves Adolescent Mental Health, Monica Deza, Maria Zhu

Population Health Research Brief Series

Mental health challenges are common among adolescents in the United States. This brief summarizes findings from a study using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a nationally representative survey of middle and high school students conducted in 1994-1995. The analysis included over 17,000 students from 133 schools across the United States. The authors find that the mix of boys and girls in a classroom affects adolescent mental health and school satisfaction. When classes have more girls, both boys and girls experience better mental health outcomes. Boys in classes with more female peers are 10% less …

Reducing Opioid Overdose Harm Through Narcan Access And Education, Shane Alexander Role Alihan, Jared Timothy Chua, Siwapond (Taylor) Yuen, Matthew Reynon

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Background: The overuse of opioids has led to an epidemic that affects the health of young adults in Sacramento, CA. Social and economic factors have influenced the use of opioids which has led those individuals to acquire an addiction and dependency to such drugs. This age group is typically engaged in college and career-minded endeavors. Thus, the impact on this age group is substantial, requiring impactful interventions.

Aim: The purpose of this intervention is to provide a foundation for educating those affected by opioid overdose. This strategic goal is to equip students at the University of the Pacific’s Entry-Level …

Enhancing Crna's Knowledge Of Radiation Safety Through Online Education, Angela Iledan, Madeline Pousson

Doctoral Projects

Although ionizing radiation is frequently used in anesthesia-related procedures, many CRNAs receive minimal training in radiation safety principles and protective measures. This knowledge gap increases the risk of cumulative radiation exposure for providers and patients. To address the issue, this doctoral project developed and implemented an online educational intervention designed to enhance CRNAs’ understanding of radiation safety, ultimately promoting safer practices in radiation-prone environments.

The doctoral project follows a QI and EBP approach that incorporated diverse adult learning styles to enhance engagement and knowledge retention of CRNAs. The online educational module was designed and delivered to CRNAs that currently practice …

Reduction In Patient Falls: A Quality Improvement Project, Jotis J. Lee

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Patient falls remain one of the most frequent adverse events in hospital settings, leading to injury, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. The identified problem was high fall rates at a specialty hospital. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based (EB) educational intervention, using the Fall TIPS (Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety) toolkit, in improving direct care nursing staff’s knowledge, confidence, and perceived ability to implement fall prevention strategies for high-risk patients. The aim was to improve the nursing staff’s knowledge, confidence, and perceived ability …

Hygiene Heroes: Strengthening Oral Hygiene To Reduce Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections In Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients, Sidney Clymer-Engelhart, Kirstie Shulman

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) impact pediatric patient outcomes, increasing mortality, hospital stays, and healthcare costs. At Sutter Medical Center Sacramento (SMCS), the CLABSI prevention bundle includes proper line care, dressing assessments, and hygiene practices, including twice-daily oral care, daily linen changes, and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing. Sutter found their CLABSI bundle compliance at approximately 76–78%, with oral hygiene identified as the most frequent gap in care.

Aim: This quality improvement project, partnered with SMCS, targeted oral care compliance to enhance overall bundle adherence, strengthen staff-leadership communication, and ultimately reduce CLABSI rates in the hematology/oncology units. In a wider …

The Kangaroo Care Project: Implementation Of Skin-To-Skin (Sts) In Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bianca Wong, Katherine Do, Martha Calero, Lydia Nambala

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Background: Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care or kangaroo mother care, is an intervention typically done after birth to promote physiologic stability, bonding, and breastfeeding.

Aim: The Kangaroo Care project aimed to increase the incidence of skin-to-skin contact in the neonatal intensive care unit at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.

Methods: A pre-survey was conducted to assess staff comfort with skin to skin. Interventions to increase skin-to-skin rates included staff e-learning, unplanned extubation mock codes, nurse champions, and a policy change to Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento’s handbook.

Results: TBD. Preliminary results indicated use of STS in the NICU and post-results …

Improving Maternal Mental Health Awareness And Support In Perinatal Black And Latina Women, Jasman Hans, Lesly Carrillo, Kayla Huynh, Brianna Harrison

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Background: Black and Latina women in California experience disproportionately high rates of perinatal mental health disorders due to limited access to care, stigma, and systemic inequities.

Aim: In collaboration with BeMomAware, this Quality Improvement project aimed to enhance maternal mental health literacy among Black and Latino individuals in the Oak Park community of Sacramento. The project sought to increase awareness, knowledge, and access to culturally appropriate mental health resources through an educational video and community session.

Methods: Interventions included a short educational video and an in-person community session providing culturally relevant information about perinatal depression and anxiety disorders, available resources, …

A Contemporary Guide To An International Aortic Super-Fellowship For Surgical Trainees And Surgeons In The United States, Roberto G. Aru, Adam W. Beck, Stéphan Haulon

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Fenestrated and branched technology for endovascular aortic repair of the thoracoabdominal aorta and aortic arch has evolved significantly over the last decade. The spectrum of these devices is largely available outside the United States (US), while patient-specific company manufactured devices are limited to ten sites in the US, with ongoing expanding use of market-approved off-the-shelf devices. The necessary environment for appropriate education to ensure safe dissemination of these technologies is limited, and the current centralization of both device availability and skillsets affects trainee education. In order to refine their endovascular treatment algorithm and planning/implantation skillsets at these multidisciplinary aortic centers, …

Promoting Self-Reflection And Implicit Bias Awareness In Nursing: A Mixed-Method Study Advancing Practice And Fostering Healthcare Equality, Diane S. Kramer, Victoria Y. Mccue, Anshul Saxena, Jeanette B. Deniz, Nicole Burks, Patricia Russell

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Implicit biases influence how nurses perceive and interact with patients and shape clinical practice. Awareness is crucial because implicit biases are difficult to detect. Our study evaluated how educational sessions impacted awareness and understanding of implicit bias. In our study, we sought to mitigate effects of these biases on patient care to promote equitable healthcare outcomes.

Methods: The research involved registered nurses from all levels employed at nine hospitals. Data were collected anonymously through voluntary participation to ensure confidentiality. A mixed-methods approach with a quasi-experimental prepost design was utilized to measure the effectiveness of the educational session. Descriptive statistics …

Assessing The Impact Of Cultural Competence Training For Providers Serving Native Americans, Chinazo Obi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The United States is a culturally diverse nation, yet many healthcare providers report challenges in delivering care that respects cultural values and traditions. Within mental health settings, this gap is especially concerning for Native American populations, who experience disproportionately high rates of mental health conditions and face barriers to culturally responsive care. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess the impact of a cultural competence education and training intervention on mental health providers’ knowledge and self-efficacy in delivering culturally competent care to Native American patients. Guided by Leininger’s Culture Care Theory of Diversity and Universality and the …

Exploring Future Educators’ Roles In Classroom Aac Use: Insight Into Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes, Katrina M. King

Honors College Theses

The United States public school system requires the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for qualifying students with disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Speech, language, and hearing related disabilities are among the qualifying categories (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Students with these disabilities may have complex communication needs (CCN), or significant limitations in their speech, language, and communication abilities (Communication Rights Australia, 2018). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), a type of assistive technology, offers support for these students, however, several barriers inhibit full communicative participation (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], n.d.-a). …

Satisfaction And Barriers To Online Learning Among Omani Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Jansirani Natarajan, Mickael A. Joseph, Dooa S. Al Jabri, Juhaina N. Al Shabibi, Sheikha H. Al Quwaiti, Bushra K. Al Bahri

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to assess Omani nursing students’ satisfaction with online learning and perceived barriers that may hinder the seamless integration of online theory courses into the nursing curriculum. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was administered to nursing students at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, in the Spring 2024 semester. The 34-item Distance Education Learning Environment Survey and the 22-item Barriers to Online Learning Scale were used. Descriptive statistics and t-tests/ANOVA examined associations. Results: A total of 155 respondents were included (response rate = 73.1%); most respondents were female (n = 126, 81.3%), aged 18– 22 years (n = …

Bridging The Gap: An Educational Intervention For The Early Introduction Of Peanut Protein In Pediatric Care, Rachel Gilson Dnp, Rnc-Ob, C-Onqs, Fnp-C, Parkview Health

Nursing Publications, Posters, & Presentations

Presented at the 6th Annual Parkview Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Symposium. Theme: “From Paper to Practice: The Art of Implementation Science,” at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation.

The primary aim of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve provider adherence to the NIAID guidelines for the early introduction of peanut protein in infants under one year of age. The project intended to address identified knowledge and practice gaps through a targeted educational intervention at Fort Wayne Pediatrics (FWP).

Cardiac Arrest Events On Australian Beaches, David Reid, Kye Bostwick, Jasmin C. Lawes, Ogilvie Thom, Ned Douglas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) members respond to cardiac arrests near their patrolling location and have successfully resuscitated many community members over the years. In addition, members often act as first responders to cardiac arrest events in community settings, workplaces or through applications such as GoodSAM®. The outcomes achieved are not known after an update to resuscitation guidelines. Objective: We aimed to analyse Surf Life Saving Australia data on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and describe the epidemiology and outcomes of cardiac arrest on Australian beaches and factors associated with survival after CPR. Methods: Using SLSA's national Incident Reporting Database held …

Intentional Creation Of Suboptimal, Realistic Dose Distributions, Skylar S Gay, Mary P Gronberg, Raymond Mumme, Beth M Beadle, Anuja Jhingran, Tze Yee Lim, Zhiqian H Yu, Christine Chung, Meena Khan, Chelsea Pinnix, Sanjay Shete, Brent Parker, Tucker J Netherton, Carlos E Cardenas, Laurence E Court

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Radiation oncology residents report a lack of understanding and confidence in assessing radiotherapy plan quality. A contributing factor is the environment in which plan review is taught during residency, that is, routine clinical practice, which does not provide ample time for self-guided practice in a low-stakes setting. Expertise in plan review requires diverse case presentation and many examples, which are often not achievable in smaller programs and for less common cancer types. As plan quality affects patient outcomes, it is important to address these pitfalls in the education of residents on plan review.

Purpose: To address the identified pitfalls …

The Mahec Research Certificate Program: A Brief And Introductory Exposure To Key Research Topics For Diverse Learners, Grace E. Flinchum, Emily S. Mazure, Chelsea C. Atkins, Wendy Nuzzo, C Micha Belden, Edward C. Jauch, Jacqueline R. Halladay

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Research is a core component of health profession training programs, but few efficient training resources exist that provide introductory research training that is brief, freely accessible, and supportive of learners with varying levels of research experience.

Methods

We set out to create the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Research Certificate program to support Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents and other learners. We initially explored existing curricula used to instruct medical and doctor of pharmacy students in order to identify foundational research topics to include in our introductory research program. We were guided by stakeholders to create a curriculum …

Mental Health Awareness For Teachers: A Review Of The Literature, Jerry Burkett

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes their abilities and can cope with the normal stresses of life (Bohare & Tiwari, 2020). These individuals are productive in their work, life, and communities. These people can manage their mental health challenges which can range from high to low (MHFA, 2020). Research is showing a growing need for expanding mental health support in K-12 schools. Schools are in a unique position to address today’s mental health crisis among members of the education community. (Mcluckie et al., 2014; National Association of School Psychologists, 2015; Ormiston et al., 2021). …

Exploring Student Success In A Clinical Neuroscience Course: A Pilot Study On Early Identification And Academic Advising In Physical Therapy Training, Bindu Balakrishnan, James Mathews, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg, Mohan Ganesan

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: This study explored the impact of early identification and student academic advising on performance in the clinical neuroscience course using a mixed-method design. The researchers hypothesized that early identification of students experiencing academic difficulties, followed by comprehensive advising, would improve performance.

Methods: Twenty Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students from the third trimester of the program participated in this mixed-methods study. Early identification was achieved through a quiz in the first week or early second week of the course, with students scoring below 70% offered voluntary enrollment. Nine students were assigned to the control group, while 11 received …

A Structured, Competency-Based Framework For Aspiring Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Adham Ahmed, Samantha Colon, Gianna J. Dafflisio, Purab Kothari, Nina Uzoigwe, Alice Zhou, Juli Buchwald, Betemariam Sharew, Carter Glenn, Steven Medvedovsky, Justin Olivera, Ryan Kramer, Gabrielle Colon, Jonathan M. Tomasko, Sara J. Pereira, Mara Antonoff, Marc Pelletier, Irbaz Hameed

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

OBJECTIVE: Cardiothoracic surgery requires mastery of a broad knowledge base and advanced skillset to manage critically ill patients. Although competency-based assessment frameworks have been developed in several specialties, there remains a paucity of resources to guide practical progression for early cardiothoracic surgical trainees.

METHODS: Members of the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association, Thoracic Surgery Medical Student Association, and attending cardiothoracic surgeons with a strong track record of surgical education were invited to share their insights and experiences. A structured, milestone-driven roadmap was developed on the basis of their contributions.

RESULTS: We developed a structured, competency-based framework for early surgical trainees, with …

A Global Overview Of Anatomical Science Education And Its Present And Future Role In Biomedical Curricula, Michael Hortsch, Virginia Claudia Carneiro Girão-Carmona, Ana Caroline Rocha De Melo Leite, Ilias P. Nikas, Margaret K. Gatumu, Nii Koney Kwaku Koney, Benjamin Arko-Boham, Doris George Yohannan, Aswathy Maria Oommen, Yan Li, Jian Yang, Alexandra F. Trollope, Amanda J. Meyer, Sonya E. Van Nuland

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The four main anatomical sciences, gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, and embryology, are fundamental subjects for most health professionals and biomedical students. Usually taught as part of preclinical basic science training, the anatomical sciences provide a structural understanding of human or animal bodies at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. This overview characterizes how the anatomical sciences are currently taught around the globe, highlighting similarities, differences, and recent curricular transformations that were partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, educators of the anatomical sciences navigate similar pressures, including expectations of curricular integration and reduced time for anatomical teaching. Student-centered teaching approaches …

Developing Empathy In Paramedic Students Using Didactic And Deliberate Practice Education Programs: A Mixed-Methods Study, Nick J. Waltrich, Jade Sheen Phd, Mathew Ling, Melissa O'Shea

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Paramedics often attend to patients presenting with a mental illness, however research suggests paramedics have difficulties when attending to this patient cohort. Conversely, clinical psychologists receive training that focuses on developing strong therapeutic relationships with their patients through the use of empathy. As research has highlighted that paramedic students are known to demonstrate low levels of empathy, this study aimed to investigate the utility of two education methods used in clinical psychology training, didactic teaching and deliberate practice (DP), to develop the skill of empathy in paramedic students. Method: Students currently enrolled in an Australian paramedic university degree were …