Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exposition Professionnelle Aux Agents D'Infections Nosocomiales En Milieux De Soins : Mieux Comprendre Et Contrôler La Voie De Propagation Par Aérosols, Caroline Duchaine, Yves Longtin, Marc Veillette, Adriana Larotta, Bianka Paquet Bolduc

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

Ce projet, mené dans le contexte de la pandémie de COVID-19, visait à mieux comprendre les risques liés à la présence de virus et de bactéries dans l’air des milieux de soins et à identifier les meilleures façons de protéger le personnel de la santé. Ce projet s’est articulé autour de trois grands volets de recherche complémentaires, menés en milieux réels et en laboratoire. Le premier volet visait à documenter la présence de virus comme le SARS-CoV-2 (responsable de la COVID-19), l’influenza ou le norovirus dans l’air d’hôpitaux et de centres de soins de longue durée. Des prélèvements dans les …

Établissement De L'Équivalence De La Méthode Irsst 381 Pour La Mesure De L'Exposition Professionnelle Aux Fumées D'Asphalte En Conformité Avec La Nouvelle Valeur D'Exposition Admissible, Simon Aubin, Ousmane Bangoura, Corina Tue

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

Depuis quelques décennies, la valeur d’exposition admissible consiste en une valeur d’exposition moyenne pondérée (VEMP) des fumées d’asphalte est de 5 mg/m³, prélevée en fraction « particules totales », pour laquelle une mesure gravimétrique non spécifique est préconisée. (Règlement sur la santé et la sécurité du travail) Une nouvelle VEMP entre en vigueur en mars 2026 avec la valeur et l’expression suivante : 1,5 mg/m³ [particules et vapeur exprimée en fraction soluble dans le benzène ou son équivalent] prélevé en fraction « particules totales » (Pt). La méthode préconisée pour soutenir cette VEMP est la …

Les Répercussions Des Changements Climatiques Sur La Sst : État Des Lieux Et Pistes D'Action, Sophie De Serres, Alain Marchand

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

Cet état des lieux expose les répercussions multidimensionnelles des changements climatiques (CC) sur la santé et la sécurité du travail (SST), en se concentrant sur les contextes nord-américain et européen. L'augmentation de la température moyenne mondiale, qui atteint désormais +1,2 °C par rapport à l'ère préindustrielle, transforme les conditions de travail et exacerbe les dangers professionnels existants. Le stress thermique induit par la chaleur excessive provoque des pathologies allant de l'épuisement au coup de chaleur mortel, tout en dégradant la vigilance et en augmentant le risque de blessures traumatiques. Au-delà des atteintes physiques, les CC aggravent les risques psychosociaux, engendrant …

Real-Time Electronic Drug Monitoring: Experiences From A Multinational Phase 3 Clinical Trial To Prevent Multidrug-Resistant Tb, T. Jimah, J.E. Haberer, K.R. Amico, J. Tinkamanyire, M.A. Kendall, S. Moonsamy, R.T. Khan, K.B.F. Fetalvero, N. Suryavanshi, A. Gupta, A.C. Hesseling, Susan Swindells, G. Churchyard

Journal Articles: Infectious Diseases

OBJECTIVE: We describe the experience of implementing real-time electronic drug monitoring (EDM) within a clinical trial to prevent multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) among high-risk household contacts.

METHODS: The Protecting Households On Exposure to Newly Diagnosed Index Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients (PHOENIx) trial is a phase 3, open-label, cluster-randomised clinical trial conducted in 31 sites in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Household contacts of adults with MDR-TB were enrolled from June 2019 to January 2025, each receiving an EDM device to monitor adherence to TB preventive therapy. Here, we review selection of the adherence monitoring approach and key procedures implemented to support EDM …

Physical Therapist Assistant Mobility Handbook, Sandra M. Ribeiro Dr., Emie Hyman

Open Educational Resources

This is a manual that will move through the various formats of mobility. As part of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, students must gain knowledge and skill acquisition to support independence. One such way is to help individuals gain or regain mobility. There are many ways that individuals can access their environments. The choice of type of mobility depends on many factors and changes over time. Students must develop an understanding of such factors in making decisions and learn to safely foster forms of mobility. The ones developed in this manual will cover bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair mobility, and ambulation. …

January 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Age-Friendly Requirements for Hospital Quality Reporting
• APhA secures key congressional win allowing pharmacists to prescribe buprenorphine with specialized training
• "When the hospital leaves town"
• Med Spa Illicit GLP-1s | Supply Chain Safety
• CMS unveils new model aimed at functional, lifestyle medicine

Enhancing The Sectra Educational Portal: Incorporating Resources Into An Integrated Medical Curriculum, Daniël Johannes Van Tonder, Dietrich Lorke

COM Scholarship

Introduction: In contemporary medical curricula, anatomy education frequently encounters fragmentation due to the reliance on disparate resources, including gross anatomy platforms, histology and pathology websites, radiological imaging repositories, and separate assessment tools. This cognitive switching can disrupt the learning flow and hinder the integration of micro- and macroscopic concepts. At Roseman University of Health Sciences (RUCOM), we aimed to centralize the student learning experience by utilizing the Sectra Educational Portal (SEP) not merely as a visualization tool but as a primary hub for asynchronous learning. This presentation outlines our workflow for embedding interactive H5P exercises and external histology repositories directly …

Resilience Shields And Grit Intensifies Subjective Cognitive Decline In Middle‐To‐Older Aged Black Americans, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Maria Clark, Obinna Odo, Yolanda L. Jackson, Candidus C. Nwakasi, Darlingtina K. Esiaka

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background: There is growing interest on the relationship between psychosocial factors and cognitive health trajectories in adulthood. While grit and resilience have been shown to influence health outcomes, their differential effects on subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in Black American adults remain understudied. The purpose of this study is to help fill this gap.

Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. Black American participants (N = 242; Mean age = 44.32) responded to a survey assessing SCD, grit, resilience, and sociodemographic factors. Linear regression analysis was performed to test the associations between grit and resilience and SCD, and to …

Evidence Of Heterogeneity In The Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Spontaneous And Precipitated Withdrawal, Suky Martinez, Jermaine D. Jones, Kelly E. Dunn, Andrew Huhn, Joshua A. Lile, Thomas P. Shellenberg, Laura Brandt

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Aims: This study characterized the heterogeneity of opioid withdrawal by comparing naturally occurring withdrawal during opioid abstinence (spontaneous withdrawal) with abrupt, pharmacologically induced naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in adults with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).   Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on de-identified data from 86 adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for moderate-to-severe OUD. Participants either presented in spontaneous withdrawal (n = 28) or underwent naloxone challenge to precipitate withdrawal (n = 58). Withdrawal symptoms were rated using the Wang procedure. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of binary symptom data was performed to identify dominant patterns of symptom co-occurrence. Separate PCAs were then …

Popliteus Interposition In Metaphyseal Tibial Fractures: The Radiographic Clues That Cannot Be Missed, Lucca Gontijo Giarola, Paulo De Tarso Cardoso Gomes, Robinson Esteves Dos Santos Pires, Guilherme Moreira Abreu E Silva, Marco Antônio Percope De Andrade, Túlio Vinícius De Oliveira Campos

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

High-energy proximal tibia fractures present significant challenges for orthopaedic surgeons, with well-recognized risks including malreduction and nonunion. Although double plating through two mini-open parallel incisions is an established technique for selected patients, nonuion can still occur. One potential contributing factor is entrapment of the popliteus muscle within the distal spike of the posteromedial plateau fragment. This report uses illustrative cases to demonstrate how to identify, address, and prevent this complication. Strategies for managing delayed cases that progress to nonunion are also discussed

Socioeconomic Influences On Doula Access And Perceived Care Quality Among Black Women Experiencing Severe Maternal Morbidity, Deborah Esene

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

Black women experience disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, making it essential to examine access to and the perceived impact of doula support. This study examines whether socioeconomic status influences access to and the perceived benefits of doula support among Black women who experienced severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Researchers surveyed Black women ages 18-49 who had a live birth within the past two years and experienced SMM. Participants were recruited and completed an online survey in late 2020. Key variables included income, education, doula use, and perceived quality of prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. Among 188 participants, 12.2% …

Development And Evaluation Of A Modular 3-D Printed Adapter For Hands-Free Tissue Retraction, Fady E. Attia, Vijay A. Chhabra, Vaibhav Tadepalli,, Joseph Attia, Michael M. Hadeed

Stony Brook Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Journal

Fracture fixation procedures typically require precise retraction of soft tissues in order to provide adequate exposure of bone fragments for reduction and fixation. Such procedures require the use of multiple surgical assistants to maintain proper tissue retraction. This manual retraction using traditional instruments, such as Hohmann and Weitlaner retractors, can lead to inefficiencies and poor labor allocation within the operating room (OR). The purpose therefore is to develop and evaluate a three dimensional (3D)-printed Nylon PA12 adapter designed to dock Hohmann retractors onto Weitlaner retractors, enabling hands-free retraction during fracture fixation procedures and potentially improving labor allocation in the OR. …

Association Of Perioperative Steroid Use With Recovery Rate And Postoperative Infection Risk In Spinal Cord Injury, Nathan Zou, Athikur Rahman, Brian Lynch

Stony Brook Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Journal

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare recovery and infection outcomes between teenagers and adults who undergo surgery for traumatic spine injuries and the effect of steroid administration. Steroids are often used in traumatic spine injuries to help recovery, however there is a concern that steroid use could increase the risk of infection due to the suppression of the immune system. We examined the impact of postoperative steroid use on recovery rates and infection rates in both age groups.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX Research Network, which includes data from over 100 healthcare …

Benign Painful Soft Tissue Tumors Of The Digits: A Contemporary Review, Nethmi Withanage, Athikur Rahman, Lawrence Hurst, Samantha Muhlrad

Stony Brook Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Journal

Purpose: Benign painful tumors of the digit are commonly encountered in hand surgery yet frequently pose diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical presentations. This review synthesizes current evidence on eight benign soft tissue tumors and cystic lesions that commonly cause digital pain: glomus tumor, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS), digital mucous cyst, digital ganglion cyst, epidermoid inclusion cyst, pyogenic granuloma, nerve sheath tumors, and angioleiomyoma.

Methods: A comprehensive review of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed, supplemented by hand surgery textbooks and online educational resources. Case series, retrospective cohort studies, and review articles were included.

Results: Each tumor exhibits a …

Large Language Models Improve Readability Of Patient Education Materials On Vascular Conditions, Melissa Chen Xu, Nicola Habash, Justin Do, Jiaying Bi, Dawn Salvatore, Paul J Dimuzio, Michael Nooromid, Babak Abai

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Patient education materials frequently exceed the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Although large language models (LLMs) have shown inconsistent accuracy in medical query responses, they have demonstrated promise in simplifying complex text. This capability has not yet been studied in vascular patient education materials. This study evaluates whether ChatGPT-4o and Gemini 1.5 Pro can improve the readability of Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) patient education flyers. Methods: SVS health flyers were selected based on five common vascular conditions: abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins. Each flyer was submitted to ChatGPT-4o and …

From Reactionary To Anticipatory Integrated Action: Novel Environmental Health Surveillance For Mass Gatherings, Benjamin J. Ryan, Michael Donahoo, Danielle Esler, Paul Barach, Benjamin Coghlan, Shelby Garner, Laura M. Langan, John Piispanen, Bryan W. Brooks

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Advances in AI-driven analytics, human-in-the loop techniques, and wastewater monitoring provide the foundation needed to shift from reactive to anticipatory actions for mass gatherings. Traditional surveillance systems focus on clinical and laboratory-based notification pathways, which often result in tardy actions being implemented. Thus, traditional surveillance is becoming outdated. Mass gatherings pose heightened public health risks and hazards, including trauma; injury and substance misuse; deliberate poisoning; and infectious diseases such as food and waterborne illnesses, sexually transmitted infections, and respiratory diseases. There is also a heightened concern due to reduced vaccination coverage. As a result, future international events such as the …

Injury And Violence In Rhode Island, Ruth Mckinnon

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The purpose of this project is to quantify Rhode Island's burden of injury and violence (2020‚Äì2023), describe key trends and demographic differences, and demographic differences, and inform targeted prevention. This statewide analysis used injury-related fatality, hospital discharge, and emergency department (ED) visit data from all Rhode Island hospitals (2020‚Äì2023). Events were classified by mechanism/intent via ICD-10/ICD-10-CM external-cause codes. Mortality, hospitalization, and ED visit rates per 100,000 were calculated using population estimates; counts were summarized. Rates were stratified by sex and age. Mechanisms included falls, traumatic brain injury (TBI), self-harm/suicide, motor-vehicle crashes (MVA), assault/homicide, and other causes (fire, firearm, drowning, non‚ …

Understanding The Link Between Infant Sensory Profiles And Breastfeeding/ Chest Feeding Co-Occupation, Lindsey Mcneill, Danielle Bomzer, Caitlyn Morin, Maya Shourie Ots

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Breastfeeding/ chest feeding are complex co-occupations that support both infant development and parent infant bonding. There is limited research that has investigated how sensory processing factors may influence infants' experiences. Existing literature has focused on the challenges associated with breastfeeding such as latching complications, feeding aversions, allergies, and caregiver stress (Masztalerz-Kozubek et al., 2022). Other literature has focused on sensory profiles of infants; however, no real connections have been made to breastfeeding/ chest feeding (Freund-Azaria et al., 2023).

This gap indicates insufficient understanding of the influence of early sensory characteristics on feeding behaviors and the outcomes of breastfeeding or chest …

Effects Of Academic Workload On Work-Life Balance, Haylee Canadas, Kara Zumbahlen, Sadie Lindgren, Elizabeth Kwak

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Origins and Importance: There is a significant gap in research regarding the toll of the workload assigned to students within specialized fields within the United States. These students have been found to have increased depression, anxiety, and burnout as well as decreased life satisfaction. This extends not only to physician assistants or medical students, but to students within many allied health fields. Positive occupational balance has been found to be associated with positive wellbeing. Dedicating research efforts to explore the work-life balance of health professional students will help students maintain their health and wellbeing as they become equipped to practice …

Facilitating Return To Work And School Post-Stroke, Amber Brown

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Importance: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, and many working-age survivors desire to return to work or school, where participation is closely tied to identity, routine, and well-being. However, structured supports for return to work (RTW) and return to school (RTS) are often limited. Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify strategies and programs that facilitated RTW and RTS among adult stroke survivors. Data Sources: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four academic databases: Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Taylor & Francis, PubMed, and SAGE Journals. Study Selection and Data Collection: Peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 …

Supporting Successful Fieldwork Experiences, Gianna Pernicone Ots

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Fieldwork education is an essential component of professional preparation in OT. Educators play a critical role in supervising students, facilitating learning, and assessing competence. This scoping review synthesizes findings from multiple studies examining the preparation, experiences, challenges, and support needs of fieldwork educators when educating students of differing abilities across occupational therapy.

Job Readiness For Young Adults With Idd, Olivia Rousseau

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Young adults with disabilities want to gain employment but are much less likely to be employed than the general population, despite research showing that being employed increases the quality of life for this population. Occupational therapists are well-equipped to tackle this issue due to the unique skillset of helping individuals with disabilities do the things they want and need to do every day, which includes employment, assessing the work environment, and helping them gain the skills needed to become employed. This scoping review aims to answer this question: How does post-secondary skills training impact job-readiness for young adults with intellectual …

Impact Of Dance And Movement On Prek Motor Skills, Emily Garganese

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Foundational motor development supports participation, early learning, and school readiness. Many early childhood classroom lack opportunities for structured movement. Dance and movement interventions offer a creative and engaging universal approach to strengthening foundational motor abilities in pre-school aged children. By targeting key motor components, creative movement experiences can enhance developmental foundations that support successful learning, and continued growth. Foundational motor development supports participation, early learning, and school readiness. Many early childhood classroom lack opportunities for structured movement. Dance and movement interventions offer a creative and engaging universal approach to strengthening foundational motor abilities in pre-school aged children. By targeting key …

Hand Function And Occupational Engagement In Ms, Shannon Fogarty

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

A diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can lead to a variety of implications including upper extremity dysfunction. Since hands play a critical role in performing daily occupations, diminished hand and upper extremity function can significantly reduce occupational engagement and quality of life. Implementing evidence-based interventions to improve hand function in individuals with MS has the potential to enhance occupational engagement and improve overall quality of life.

Neuro-Affirming Sexual Health: Education And Autism, Joanne Barnhart

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Neuro-affirming sexual health education is critical due to the high risk of emotional and physical assault for those with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD). There is a critical need for sexual health policies, resources, and training for caregivers, healthcare workers, and individuals with IDD or ASD as it is often overlooked and avoided. There is limited sexual education available targeted toward this vulnerable population, especially in schools and clinics. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are equipped to provide education and guidance on sexual health and identity concerns and challenges. This scoping review seeks to identify the effect of inclusive sexual …

Safe Plate - Food Allergy Research & Education, Sarah Hecht

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is a Nutrition Education initiative meant to spread awareness and increase accessibility for individuals with food allergies. The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is an extension of the Safe Plate Cafe©, which is a program meant to educate culinary professionals on how to properly cater to and care for individuals with food allergies in their establishments. The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is modeled after the Congregate Cafes supported by Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island. This model is meant to be more accessible and encourage participation from a community who is apprehensive about eating outside of …

Comprehensive Sexual Health Literacy For Lgbtq+, Meaghan Burns Ba, Ot/S

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

A large number of adults who were brought up in the United States have limited sexual health literacy because of incomprehensive sexual education in adolescence. Many adults view sexual activity as an important component that contributes to their quality of life. Occupational Therapists can address sex and intimacy to improve literacy and satisfaction for adults with limited knowledge. The proposed study uses a quasi-experimental design with pre/post surveys to assess the efficacy of educational programming surrounding topics on sexual health literacy and satisfaction. The intended setting and population are adult members who attend programming and events at the Taunton location …

Implementation Of A Greenhouse Growing Method, Kheara Zito

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The Metcalf-Franklin Historic Community Garden is a volunteer driven farm in Cumberland, RI that grows fresh produce throughout the late spring and summer months. 100% of the food grown at the community garden is donated to the Rhode Island Food Bank and various different soup kitchens throughout the County. The intervention is to implement a greenhouse growing system to help lengthen the growing season throughout the winter months. This intervention can help aid in providing food insecure individuals with more fresh produce and nutrients throughout the entire year.

Childhood Adversity And Intimate Partner Violence, Abigail Nosal, Miriam Liz Villa

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to long-term health, behavioral, and relationship difficulties. This study examined associations between cumulative ACE exposure and self-reported Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among Rhode Island young adults aged 18‚Äì25, including demographic risk factors such as pregnancy, sexual and gender identity, and race/ethnicity. Data were drawn from the Rhode Island Young Adult Survey (RIYAS), a statewide behavioral health survey conducted in 2022 and 2024 (n = 2,030). IPV was assessed using a self-report item on verbal or physical abuse or threats from a romantic partner. ACEs included abuse, neglect, household substance use, parental mental illness or …

Adaptive Skiing And Complex Communication Needs, Jordan Chizmadia Ba, Ot/S

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Effective communication is crucial for individuals with Complex Communication Needs (CCN), enabling them to express their needs, build confidence, and promote autonomy during adaptive skiing. However, there is currently a lack of systems specific to those with CCN for use in adaptive skiing. The capstone project assessed both verbal and non-verbal alternative communication methods, including a Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), gestures, written and verbal/tactile cues to develop and implement an effective communication method suited for use in adaptive skiing, in collaboration with Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS). To enhance communication between adaptive ski instructors and individuals with CCN, a three-step …