Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Implementation Of Staff Education To Reduce Or Prevent Pressure Injury, Beverley A. Moses

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pressure injuries (PIs) present a significant clinical challenge in healthcare settings, particularly among patients with limited mobility, comorbidities, and complex musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries lead to adverse patient outcomes, such as increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and an increase in healthcare costs. Despite advancements in clinical practice, PI prevention remains a critical area for quality improvement, necessitating a standardized, patient-centered approach to care. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve patient outcomes by implementing a standardized educational initiative for nursing staff in a bone and joint unit at a private hospital in Upstate New York. The project …

Navigating The Maternal Health Crisis: Enhancing Maternal Health Outcomes In New Jersey, Nyrobi Barnes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the study was to better understand the implications of race and ethnicity on perinatal health experiences and maternal health outcomes in non-Hispanic Black women (nHBw) in New Jersey and mitigate the maternal health crisis. A secondary outcome was to propose an evidence-based initiative to elicit equitable care in New Jersey via grant-funded programs at the New Jersey Department of Health. Although New Jersey has made progress in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, racial disparities continue to persist. The research aims to further understand implications of race and ethnicity on adverse perinatal health experiences and maternal health …

Predictors Of Academic Performance In First-Year Bsn Students: The Role Of Emotional Exhaustion, Alcohol Use, And Resilience, Jennifer Nerius

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The first year of nursing school can be academically demanding and emotionally challenging as students adjust to rigorous coursework, clinical expectations, and professional responsibilities. Understanding factors that influence student well-being and academic success is important for supporting students during this transition. The purpose of this quantitative longitudinal correlational study was to examine the relationships among emotional exhaustion, alcohol use, resilience, and academic performance in first-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students. Guided by Resilience Theory, the study explored whether resilience was associated with emotional exhaustion and alcohol use and whether emotional exhaustion, resilience, and alcohol use predicted academic performance. …

Exploring The Impact Of Spiritual Fitness On Combat Veterans In Their Recovery From Ptsd, Chronic Pain, And Sleep-Related Impairments, Minnette Danielle Sandoval Cornish

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how combat veterans utilize and perceive spiritual practices in their recovery from PTSD chronic pain, and sleep-related impairments (SRIs). Guided by Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2017) the study sought to understand which spiritual practices combat veterans used, how they incorporated the practice into recovery, and how they perceived the impact of those practices in managing their symptoms. Participants included 13 combat veterans who self-identified as using spiritual practices in their recovery from PTSD, chronic pain, and SRIs. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Interview and focus …

The Posture Of Recovery; A Quantitative Analysis Of Post-Exercise Heart Rate Restorateion In College Athletes, Matthew Scott Ferriter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Heart rate recovery (HRR) has been frequently used as a noninvasive indicator of autonomic reactivity following high-intensity exercise. However, limited research has explored the effects of post-exercise body posture (PEBP) on HRR following acute bouts of high-intensity exercise in collegiate athletes. The purpose of this quantitative repeated-measures experimental study was to investigate if recovery posture (supine [SUP]; tripod [TRI]; standing upright [SU]) affected HRR during the first five minutes following a standardized high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. Thirty-seven collegiate athletes completed three total testing sessions. Participants completed all three recovery posture conditions in a randomized order. Heart rate (HR) was …

Relationships Between Lower Body Anthropometrics And Vertical Force-Velocity Profiles In Collegiate American Football Players, Nicholus Adam Despot

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study examined the relationships between lower-body anthropometric characteristics and vertical force-velocity profiles in collegiate American football players. Although the use of force-velocity profiling has increased significantly in recent years, there has been limited research on the association between structural features and key mechanical outputs. A sample of 16 NAIA football players was used to examine how skeletal breadths, girths, and derived ratios relate to key force-velocity metrics. Anthropometric variables were collected using ISAK standards, while force-velocity profiles were obtained through a series of loaded squat jumps on a force platform. Mean propulsive force, velocity and power were used to …

Comparing The Difference In Nurses’ Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Near-Death Experiences (Ndes) Before And After Receiving Nde Education, Renata B. Mcallister

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been reported in approximately 6.3% to 39.3% of patients who survived death or critical illness. Research indicated that health care professionals, of whom nurses are the largest group, received little education or training on NDEs. Nurses' responses to a disclosure could help the patient integrate the experience or contribute to stress and isolation. National nursing standards do not address education or competencies specific to NDEs, and few studies have examined educational programs on the topic. This quasi-experimental study examined changes in nurses' knowledge and attitudes before and after a three-part asynchronous training on NDEs, measured with …

Post-Pandemic Telebehavioral Health: Sustaining And Regulating Remote Mental Health Care As A Core Modality, Weiqiao Dong

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

The United States continues to face a persistent mental health crisis after the COVID-19 pandemic, raising a policy question about the long-term role and regulation of telebehavioral health as a core modality of care. This thesis examines that question through a case study of New York State, an early center of the pandemic and a leader in telehealth policy reform.

Guided by the Health Policy Triangle framework, this thesis integrates longitudinal data from all 62 New York counties for 2010-2025 with a 2025 cross-sectional dataset covering 61 counties. Seventeen standardized indicators are organized into four dimensions: geographic, economic, demographic, and …

The Forgotten Adl: An Educational Program Addressing Personal Hygiene And Grooming For Older Adults​, Ashlee D. Moten, Becky King

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Some older adults have difficulty completing personal hygiene and grooming tasks independently and require assistance from an informal caregiver. However, informal caregivers often become stressed and overwhelmed due to limited educational resources and support available. These tasks include all oral, skin, nail, and hair care, such as brushing hair, applying deodorant, clipping nails, or brushing teeth (AOTA, 2020). OTs can help develop interventions to enhance participation in personal hygiene and grooming tasks. The purpose of this capstone project was to create an educational program to equip older adults and their informal caregivers with strategies for participating in personal hygiene and …

08-19-26 Bor Hsc Committee Meeting Agenda, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

08-19-26 BOR HSC Committee Meeting Agenda

Can The Safety Net Support Families Through Childbirth?, Hyojeong Kim, Colleen Heflin, Taryn Morrissey

Center for Policy Research

Childbirth is a life event that often disrupts maternal employment and household earnings just as family expenses increase. In the United States, families do not have access to a national paid parental leave program and must rely on a patchwork of safety net programs that were not designed specifically to support households during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. This brief uses linked administrative data from the Virginia Longitudinal Data System (2016–2021) to describe changes in household earnings and social welfare benefits before and after childbirth among low-income mothers receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for …

2026 Focused Update Of The Saudi Heart Association Guidelines On Best Practices In The Management Of Chronic Coronary Syndromes, Owayed Alshammeri, Halia Alshehri, Shukri Alsaif, Mirvat Alasnag, Fatema Qaddoura, Fahad Alqahtani, Yosra Abdulahad A Turkistani, Walid Alharbi, Adel Tash, Mohammad Alshehri, Khalid Al Faraidy, Waleed Alhabeeb

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) continue to impose a substantial clinical and economic burden in Saudi Arabia. Since publication of the 2022 Saudi Heart Association (SHA) CCS guidelines, important advances have emerged in diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, cardiometabolic risk reduction, antiplatelet management, and revascularization. This 2026 focused update selectively revises and clarifies key recommendations to reflect these advances within the Saudi context.

Methods: A multidisciplinary SHA expert panel conducted a structured review of randomized trials, meta-analyses, and relevant international guidance published since 2022. Updates were restricted to areas with substantive new evidence or evolving clinical practice. Recommendations were formulated through expert consensus …

Acemannan/Alginate Composite Hydrogels Promote Sto Cell Spreading And Metabolic Activity, Hong Yongxing, Tharasanit Theerawat

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Alginate-based hydrogels are widely used as biocompatible scaffolds. However, their limited cell-adhesive properties restrict their application in tissue engineering. This study aimed to fabricate acemannan/alginate (ACE/ALG) composite hydrogels and evaluate their cytocompatibility and ability to support STO cell spreading and metabolic activity. Composite hydrogels were prepared by blending different concentrations of ACE with alginate, followed by Ca²⁺-mediated ionic crosslinking. Rheological analysis showed that ACE incorporation increased both the storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the hydrogels. Cell viability and morphology were evaluated using Live/Dead staining on day 7, and cellular growth was assessed using an MTT assay on …

Multidrug Resistance, Extended-Spectrum Β-Lactamase (Esbl) Production, And Colistin Resistance In Escherichia Coli From Retail Chicken Meat In Fresh Markets In Bangkok, Thailand, Htet Lin Oo, Nawaphorn Roongrojmongkhon, Suwanee Chalermchainukul, Sirawit Pagdepanichkit

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Contamination of chicken meat with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, particularly multidrug-resistant (MDR), colistin-resistant, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli), threatens its safety for human consumption. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, particularly ESBL production and colistin resistance in E. coli isolated from retail chicken meat in fresh markets in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 200 (81.6%) E. coli isolates were recovered from 245 chicken meat samples collected from fresh markets across six regions of Bangkok. Among the isolates, 189 (94.5%) exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent tested, with the …

Action Steps Toward Equity In Communication Sciences And Disorders: A Program Evaluation Of Student Self-Efficacy, Monica Bellon-Harn, Lekeitha Morris, Mark Trahan

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: Within communication sciences and disorders (CSD), preparing students for equitable practice requires instruction aligned with social justice principles. Because students’ confidence in engaging in these practices may influence future behavior, this study examined the effects of an asynchronous program, Action Steps toward Equity (ASE-CSD) on undergraduate and graduate CSD students’ self-efficacy for practices aligned with social justice principles.

Method: A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used with undergraduate (n = 16) and graduate (n = 33) CSD students who completed ASE-CSD. Participants completed the Social Justice Scale (SJS; Torres-Harding et al., 2012), which assessed self-efficacy associated with …

Equity In Evaluation: Examining Grading Practices And Student Experiences In Speech-Language Pathology Education, Jennifer Essig

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Traditional grading practices remain the norm in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) education, despite evidence these systems may exacerbate inequities and affect motivation and perceptions of learning. This study examined how traditional and alternative grading practices are experienced by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in CSD programs. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, survey data were collected from 73 students regarding perceptions of grading, motivation to learn, and emotional responses to assessment. Quantitative analyses indicated that students in alternatively graded classrooms reported significantly higher perceptions of fairness, clarity, and learning than those in traditionally graded settings. Qualitative analysis revealed contrasting emotional …

Targeted Interprofessional Education (Ipe) Curriculum For First-Year Speech-Language Pathology (Slp) Graduate Students, Cody Marie Busch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

ASHA requires that SLP graduate programs facilitate opportunities for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). Research suggests that IPCP initiatives should be integrated throughout the curriculum, rather than isolated interprofessional education (IPE) experiences. 15 first-year SLP graduate students participated in a year-long IPE curriculum focused on the IPEC Core Competencies. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed improved perception of IPCP and appreciation of opportunities to interact with other disciplines. Students noted that SLP graduate programs should integrate IPCP opportunities because they set them up for success with collaboration and help remove the SLP “silo.” Finally, students reported that they plan to use the …

An Exploration Of Case-Based Teaching And Learning In Aac Courses: Student Data Analysis And Reflections On Engaging In Academic Research, Kayla Lorance, Claire Almos, Abigail Spudich, Alli Sauerwein, Kristen Muller

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Case-based learning is a beneficial pedagogical approach because it offers opportunities for students to apply constructs and frameworks and to develop clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. Clinical cases have been used to explore students' clinical reasoning skills in AAC research studies; however, few instructors have published about the use of case-based learning in their AAC courses. Thus, this study aimed to understand how and why faculty and instructors use case-based learning in graduate-level AAC courses as well as their recommendations for colleagues.

A total of twelve faculty participated in the study by completing an interview. Qualitative data analysis was completed. …

Supporting Neurodivergent Students In Communication Sciences And Disorders: Best Practices Integrating Udl And Tilt In Academic Courses, Jacqueline A. Towson, Nancy Mcintyre, Alexis Cunha

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

In this tutorial, we explore effective andragogical strategies to support neurodivergent students in higher education programs, specifically within academic course in the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). By integrating the evidence-based education practices of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework, faculty can create inclusive and supportive learning environments in academic courses to better support neurodivergent students in CSD programs. We discuss practical applications of these frameworks through two sample assignments, supported by recent research, and provide actionable recommendations for faculty in higher education. The goal of this tutorial is to …

Csdeep Learning Seminar: Connecting Students, Faculty, And Alumni To Promote A Creative Path To Success, Chao-Yang Lee, Emily Jones

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

What do the best college students do to cultivate their intellectual and personal development? How does learning type lead to professional success and personal fulfillment? We report the design and implementation of a seminar in which undergraduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders collaborated with peers, faculty, and alumni to explore the meaning and application of deep learning. Participants examined how learning type shapes college experience through book discussions and conversations with alumni. Feedback from participants suggests that the book discussions and alumni conversations broadened the students’ perspective on learning type, purpose of college education, and success and failure. The …

Simulated Participant Engagement In Communication Sciences & Disorders Programs: A Scoping Review, Jason Konzelmann, Richard I. Zraick

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Introduction. Simulated participants (SPs) are widely used in medical and nursing education, but their application in allied health, including Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), remains limited. Despite accreditation standards supporting simulation in CSD training, student engagement with SPs is still uncommon.

Objectives. This scoping review examined recent literature on SP use in CSD programs involving speech-language pathology or audiology students or providers. We explored how SPs were integrated and identified gaps for future research.

Methods. Guided by PRISMA-ScR, we searched six databases and an internet search yielded one additional article. Studies published between 2019 and 2025 were included if they …

Probable Renal-Limited Sarcoidosis Presenting With Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Without Granulomas On Renal Biopsy: A Diagnostic Challenge, Jawahar Hamood Alnoumani, Muhammad Shoaib, Asma Marzouqi, Ali Al Lawati

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic multisystem inflammatory disorder characterised by non-caseating granulomas and a wide range of reported prevalence. Renal-limited sarcoidosis is a rare manifestation of sarcoidosis which remains a diagnostic challenge due to lack of extra renal manifestation and specific diagnostic criteria. We report a 37-year-old man who presented to a tertiary care hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2024, with a two-month history of fever, weight loss, hypercalcaemia, high-to-normal 1,25-Vitamin D, high angiotensin-converting enzyme levels and acute kidney injury. His renal biopsy showed evidence of tubulointerstitial nephritis without granulomas or nephrocalcinosis. After exclusion of infectious, malignant, drug- related and autoimmune causes, …

Improving Advanced Care Planning Conversations And Documentation Through App Education And Standardized Epic Workflow: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Michelle N. Rutter, Emily Goldstein

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background & Significance: Advance care planning (ACP) is essential for ensuring (GOC), particularly in acute care settings, defined in this paper as inpatient hospital environments, including critical and intensive care units (ICU), where a patient’s decision-making capacity could become impaired. ICU patients are often critically ill and may lose the ability to make health care decisions. Family uncertainty regarding patient preferences frequently exacerbates psychological distress regarding GOC. Restricted access to ACP may result in non-concordant medical care, as well as elevated healthcare expenditures driven by the underutilization or inappropriate allocation of critical resources. Despite the recognized importance of ACP and …

Expressive Arts For Women Experiencing Homelessness, Theresa G. Karman, Susan Macdermott, Amy Lyons-Brown

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Women experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence face significant occupational disruptions, including challenges related to emotional regulation, identity, social participation, and engagement in meaningful occupations. Occupational therapy (OT) can support recovery by addressing these occupational needs through trauma-informed and occupation-centered interventions.

Purpose: This doctoral capstone project developed and implemented Express & Empower Studio, a six-week expressive arts program designed to promote emotional expression, self-efficacy, social participation, and engagement in meaningful occupations among women residing in a domestic violence shelter.

Methods: Program development was guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) within …

Knowledge Of Parents About Thalassemia In Tabuk City: A Cross-Sectional Study, Sawsan Mohammed Alblewi, Amirah M. Alatawi, Ehab Mahmoud Hanafy, Faisal Mayudh Althobaiti, Abdulelah Hamad Al-Balawi, Faisal Mohammed Alamrani, Yazeed Mahmoud Ajwah, Omar Muslih Albalawi, Mohammed Majed Alquayr, Sultan Ibrahim Alhamdi

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Thalassemia is a common inherited blood disorder and remains a significant public health concern in Saudi Arabia. Parental knowledge is essential for effective prevention, screening, and early intervention. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of thalassemia among parents in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia, and identify factors associated with knowledge levels.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 parents residing in Tabuk City between March and May 2025. Data were collected using a validated Arabic questionnaire distributed online. Knowledge was assessed using 21 items covering general thalassemia knowledge, thalassemia major, carrier status, and prevention. Knowledge levels …

Frailty And Activities Of Daily Living In Older Adults In Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Study, Öznur Adadıoğlu, Ahmet Seven, Esin Danç

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine frailty status and activities of daily living among older adults.

Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 306 voluntary participants aged 65 years and older who were registered at a primary healthcare center in a city in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Participant Information Form, the FRAIL Scale, and the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living.

Results: Among the participants, 36.9% were non-frail, 42.2% were pre-frail, and 20.9% were frail. The mean Katz Index score was 5.42 ± 1.35. The mean scores of activities of daily living …

Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, And Calcium Intake Among Malaysian Chinese Adults In Perak: A Cross-Sectional Study, Thean Hui Ru, Nurul Aimi Ab Kadir, Fatin Izzaty Mohd Shahrin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The Malaysian Chinese population records the highest national prevalence of osteoporotic hip fractures. This study investigated the relationships between osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and calcium intake among Malaysian Chinese adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 Malaysian Chinese adults in Kampar, Perak, using the adapted Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool (OPAAT), Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS), and a 30-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).

Results: Participants demonstrated low osteoporosis knowledge (6.84 ± 2.92), with low perceived susceptibility (14.87 ± 5.00), moderate perceived seriousness (17.81 ± 5.20), and barriers to calcium intake (15.61 ± 4.15), and …

Internet Use And Decision-Making Processes Among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ayça Balmumcu, Endam Çetinkaya Ak, Sabriye Uçan Yamaç

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic restricted access to in-person health services, especially in rural areas. This increased reliance on the internet for health information and decision-making was particularly notable among pregnant women. This study aimed to investigate the role of internet use in decision-making among pregnant women.

Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study examined 384 pregnant women living in a rural district of Turkey who attended family health centers for prenatal care. Data were collected using the Internet Decision-Making Scale in Pregnancy and a questionnaire assessing internet use patterns during the pandemic.

Results: Pregnant women demonstrated …

E-Health Literacy And Cyberchondria Severity Among Adolescent High School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Seyda Çavmak, Adem Bilgin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Amid rapid digitalization and the growing use of artificial intelligence-based search engines, adolescents increasingly seek health information online. This study examined the relationship between high school students' e-health literacy and their cyberchondria tendencies.

Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional study included 683 students from public high schools in Mersin, Türkiye. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the e-Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12). Descriptive statistics, comparative tests, and Pearson correlation were applied (p < 0.05).

Results: Students' e-health literacy and cyberchondria severity were moderate. Significant positive correlations emerged between e-health literacy …

E-Cigarette Awareness, Usage Patterns, And Sociodemographic Determinants Among Malaysians Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study, Izdihar Kamal, Nabilah Mohd Abd Wahab, Nurul Mawaddah Mohammad, Rashidi Ahmad, Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim, Hatikahaty Mohd Diah, Munirah Ahmad Dahari, Nur Biha Mohamed Nafis, Mohd Faris Abdullah Sani, Sulayman Muhammad Kabeer, Nur Biha Mohamed Nafis, Juliana Mohd Radzi

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among Malaysian adolescents is rising rapidly, raising significant public health concerns. This study assessed awareness, understanding of risk, and e-cigarette use among secondary school students in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, and identified sociodemographic predictors of use.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 323 students from three government secondary schools using a validated questionnaire. Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results: Nearly one-third (31.9%, N = 103) reported prior e-cigarette use. Although 63.2% (N = 204) demonstrated good awareness, only 14.6% (N = 47) understood associated health risks. Peers …