Health and Medical Administration Commons^™

Therapy Dog Ownership As Serious Leisure For Members Of A Therapy Dog Volunteer Group, Jonathan R. Hicks, Mary Kramer

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Therapy dogs are used in a variety of settings, including prisons, hospitals, and schools, for the purposes of providing emotional and psychological support to humans. They are trained to be well behaved and to be perceived as supportive of humans. This study sought to explore the benefits to the human individuals who facilitate trained therapy sessions. Specifically considered were the ways in which therapy dog ownership is a form of serious leisure and the ways in which that leisure influences owners’ day- to- day lives. Findings suggest owners of therapy dogs experience enhanced personal enrichment, relationship with dog(s), and sense …

The Place And Role Of Pharmacy Benefit Management (Pbm) Companies In Us Healthcare System, George Mattis Ii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

On average, prescription drugs cost US consumers more than any other developed country in the world. US drug makers claim that intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain, companies called pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), are forcing them to increase their drug prices. PBMs counter that the discounts they receive from drug makers are channeled to insurers. This thesis will examine the role that PBMs play in the prescription drug supply chain and determine what effect they have on drug prices. This thesis will utilize a comparative static model, Structure, Conduct, Performance (SCP) framework to analyze the pharmaceutical manufacturing and the …

Investing Into Domestic Manufacturing Of Critical Medication And Vaccines For The Federal Government, Sharon Low

All Reports

While the federal government has made numerous public announcements regarding their stimulus plan and promises to increase the domestic capacity to produce personal protective equipment, vaccines, and medical equipment, a critical aspect that has been neglected is the serious and ongoing shortages of critical medication. The government has promised to provide 4.28 billion to expand testing and contact tracing capacities, 7.5 billion towards PPE, and 500 million to the provinces and territories for “critical health care system needs and support for mitigation effects.” While these efforts as part of Trudeau’s Safe Restart Agreement are a good place to begin reducing …

Impact Of Covid-19 On The Italian And American Healthcare Systems : A Comparative Assessment, Bita Pejam, Jennifer Lam

All Reports

This report aims to examine and assess the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the healthcare systems of the United States of America and Italy; two of the most heavily affected nations. Using data from December 2019 to January 2021, several consultations, and policy reviews, we identify risks and notable areas of issue in each nations’ approach to combating the virus. We focus our report particularly on the health policies and the governmental structures in place that contributed to each nations’ initial method of alleviating the impact of COVID-19. Our report compares the two healthcare systems and proposes a …

Effect Of Professional Exclusion Among Respiratory Therapists In The Icu, Tiffany Lubken

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was conducted to test how social exclusion, experienced through a culture of healthcare hierarchy, influenced the feelings/attitudes of respiratory therapists (RTs) who are excluded from discussions of end-of-life (EOL) care. Data analysis was conducted using a multivariate analysis of variance to address the research questions. A quantitative nonexperimental survey research design incorporating four evidence-based surveys was used. There was no significance found between professional exclusion from EOL care discussions and the abilities of RTs to collaborate with intensive care unit (ICU) team members within the shared decision-making model as it relates to providing care in the ICU. There …

Competition And Technical Efficiency For General Medical And Surgical Hospitals In Georgia, Nathan Ekow Davies

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The primary aim of this study was to enhance understanding of the fundamental socioeconomic problem associated with inefficient hospital competition in the United States in terms of demand and supply of services as well as the efficiency of hospitals. The relationship between market competition and hospital efficiency was investigated among general medical and surgical hospitals in Georgia. The X-efficiency theory was used which defines efficiency as the degree of effectiveness that an organization can maintain while operating in imperfect competition. The theory is most applicable in terms of addressing imperfect market characteristics of the healthcare industry. Correlations between efficiency and …

Foresight Leadership Theory: A Grounded Theory Study Of The Conflict Management Experiences Of Healthcare Managers With Remote Employees, Desiree Nichole Van Campen

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare managers of remote employees are faced with unique challenges as they relate toconflict prevention and management. The Covid-19 pandemic further complicated this issue when, because of social distancing mandates and employee health concerns, a large volume of healthcare managers and their employees were forced to transition to a remote working environment. Managers had to then develop personal strategies to successfully lead their now- remote workforce. This qualitative Grounded Theory study revealed that intentional communication, engagement, and planning are ways in which managers have been able to minimize the effects that conflict has on their employees. From the research, the …

The Medicalisation Of Gender Nonconformity Through Language: A Keywords Analysis, Angelo Cosma Galluzzo

sprinkle: an undergraduate journal of feminist and queer studies

Language is an important part of the way gender nonconformity is legislated and medicalised. In 2012, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) changed the nomenclature of the ‘gender identity disorder’ (GID) to ‘gender dysphoria in the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to reduce the social stigma attached to transgender identities. While the recognition of gender nonconformity by the medical authorities has led to some beneficial consequences, scholars have shown that the language of pathology has narrowed the definitions of gender nonconformity and has created social stigma. I use the web pages of five major health providers of English-speaking …

Exploring The Influence Of Self-Efficacy And Autonomy On Outdoor Recreation Behaviors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Katheryn E. Carpenter

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Outdoor Recreation (OR) provides the benefits of physical activity and traditional leisure along with the addition of the benefits associated with an outdoor environment. Self Determination Theory (SDT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) state that self-efficacy (SE) and autonomy can increase depending on the physical and social environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between self-efficacy and autonomy on OR behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized there would be a correlation between individuals who participate in OR activities and self-efficacy as well as autonomy. The research also explored barriers and facilitators to OR via …

Go Talk To Your Employee: A Sequential Mediation Analysis Of Leader Communication Frequency And Employee Turnover Intent, Max Weaver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Employee turnover has significant negative costs to healthcare organizations. While leadership communication styles and quality have been empirically supported to reduce turnover intentions, our understanding of specific modalities of leader intervention is not well understood. This paper sought to understand how the specific act of communication frequency reduces turnover. Through the lens of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and role dynamic theories, mediating effects of LMX quality and job satisfaction were investigated to further understand this proposed relationship in a sample of healthcare workers in the Midwest/US. Results indicate that communication frequency was negatively related to turnover intent. Furthermore, while LMX and …

Neither “Post-War” Nor Post-Pregnancy Paranoia: How America’S War On Drugs Continues To Perpetuate Disparate Incarceration Outcomes For Pregnant, Substance-Involved Offenders, Becca S. Zimmerman

Pitzer Senior Theses

This thesis investigates the unique interactions between pregnancy, substance involvement, and race as they relate to the War on Drugs and the hyper-incarceration of women. Using ordinary least square regression analyses and data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates, I examine if (and how) pregnancy status, drug use, race, and their interactions influence two length of incarceration outcomes: sentence length and amount of time spent in jail between arrest and imprisonment. The results collectively indicate that pregnancy decreases length of incarceration outcomes for those offenders who are not substance-involved but not evenhandedly -- benefitting white …

Reducing Turnaround Time From Pathology Collection To Patient Awareness In Gastroenterology Practice, Adrianna Hyams

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Means of improving the turnaround time from specimen completion to the patient being notified of results are not well known or researched. The aim of this study is to decrease the turnaround time (TAT) from when the specimen is collected to the time the patient is notified from 4 weeks to 2 weeks. This quality improvement project took place in a privately owned gastroenterology office in southern Indiana.

Methods: An exhaustive literature review was completed to determine the best means of improving pathology TAT. The Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) method of quality improvement was used for this project. …

Relationship Between Social Support And Childhood Trauma On Resilience, Carol Krieger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

People who have not overcome childhood trauma and who have developed mental illnesses have difficulties dealing with life challenges. The purpose of this quantitative study used a correlational design to test any relationship between childhood trauma experience levels and resilience against life challenges in adulthood. The theoretical framework used for this study was Barnes’ social support theory. Data were collected from 104 participants over a 7-week period. Participants voluntarily answered the ACE questionnaire, 2-way support scale, and resilience scale. Key results indicate that people with mental illness who receive social support are positive impacted by that support. Receiving adequate levels …

Understanding Perspectives Of Clinical And Non-Clinical Healthcare Administrators On Culture And Diversity In The Healthcare Workplace, Katherine Counts

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

The racial and ethnic composition of the U.S. population is becoming increasingly more diverse. The 2010 U.S. Census reported a 29% increase in minority groups other than non-Hispanic Whites. In response to these changing demographics, healthcare organizations have struggled to keep pace with these trends in their hiring of a diverse staff. Healthcare leaders appear to be lagging in their efforts to make adequate changes to increase diversity in their organizations. What factors may be contributing to this inequity? One possible explanation is a limited knowledge of healthcare leaders regarding culture and diversity within the workplace. To this end, this …

From The Legal Literature: Covid And The Criminal Law, Francesca Laguardia

Department of Justice Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Lived Experiences Of Police Officers And Their Roles During Opioid Overdose, Sean Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have conducted multiple studies regarding opioid users, opioid addicts, relatives of addicts, and health professional responses. The opioid crisis has been a focus for scholars following the first wave of prescription in 1991 (CDC, 2016). However, there is limited research that examines the lived experiences of law enforcement officers and their roles during an opioid overdose. As the opioid crisis has continued to negatively affect individuals, families, communities, cities, and countries, federal, state, and local policymakers have searched for ways to combat the opioid crisis. For many law enforcement agencies, policymakers have enacted policy that mandates patrol officers carry …

Strategies For Establishing A Diverse Workforce Within A University Health System’S Department, Shanee Chantel Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Balanced diversity in health care promotes patient satisfaction and enhances innovation. Obtaining a culturally balanced workplace requires recruitment strategies that encourage inclusiveness among team members from various backgrounds. The purpose of this doctoral study was to explore the issue of lack of diversity in a behavioral health organization’s (BHO’s) student intern program and identify strategies for creating greater diversity in the workplace. The Baldrige excellence framework, the conceptual framework that guided the research, was designed to help BHOs to improve their overall business performance to accomplish goals and increase organizational sustainability. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: diversity training, …

Retrospective And Forecasting Analysis Of Increased Long Term Care Demand In Niagara, Breanne Alissa Hines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A problem exists within the Canadian healthcare system as many patients experience longer lengths of stay (LOS) in acute care (AC) and complex care (CC) beds within hospitals because of a lack of long term care (LTC) facilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extra days patients wait for placement and assess the benefits of increasing the number of LTC beds. The theoretical framework used was the four-level model of the health care system. Research questions involved 2017-2019 data for the number of LTC beds required to eliminate waits and evaluate beds needed in the future. This …

Job-Related Stress And Burnout On Turnover Intention Of Nurses In Dallas, Texas, During Covid-19, George Ochieng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn a country with a large aging population such as the United States, nursing is a crucial profession that is also a high-stress and high-turnover occupation, leading to a shortage of nurses and increased healthcare costs. The year 2017 saw a 10-year high in nurse turnover. The general management problem is that current efforts to decrease the turnover of nurses remain ineffective. The specific problem studied was the high turnover of nurses in Dallas, Texas, linked to work-related stress and burnout. This quantitative nonexperimental regression and moderation research study aimed to study factors that predict or reduce turnover intention. This …

The Impact Of Community Churches And Barbershops On Preventive Care Utilization Among African American Men, Quiante Chappell Hager

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preventive health care screening plays an essential role in reducing chronic diseases and mortality rates; yet, even as health care access has increased, African American men’s utilization of preventive screenings remains low in rural areas. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate why African American men are not utilizing preventive care services and ascertaining the impact that social determinants may have on their utilization of these services. The theoretical framework of this research study comprised the social-ecological modal and health belief model to investigate the barriers to preventive care utilization in the African American community. Twelve African …

Strategies To Recruit Age-Diverse Volunteers For A Nonprofit Behavioral Health Organization, Karen A. Peters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Volunteers are a crucial resource for behavioral health organizations, especially those that rely predominantly on a volunteer workforce for delivery of services. In such instances, the inability to maintain an adequate and age-diverse volunteer workforce threatens organizational sustainability and interrupts valued services to the community. A case study was completed to identify volunteer recruitment and retention challenges for a behavioral health nonprofit organization in the southwestern United States. The Baldrige Excellence Framework was used to guide the study, with emphasis placed on the assessment of the organization’s leadership, strategy, and workforce. Data sources included interviews with organizational leaders, organizational records, …

A Lebanese Health Care Organization’S Strategies To Secure Sustainable Funding, Dania Mahmoud Al Assadi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Fundraising and donations are the main sources of revenue for behavioral health care nonprofit organizations (NPOs) worldwide. Economic, political, social, or health crises impact fundraising and donation sources for behavioral health care NPOs. This qualitative case study addressed strategies that senior leaders of a Lebanese behavioral health care NPO could use in times of crisis. The study also addressed the behavioral health leaders’ experience managing a funding crisis. The Baldrige conceptual framework was used to assess the organization’s effectiveness in seven key areas. Interviews with the senior leaders and analysis of the organization’s archival data were used to inform the …

Coping Strategies Of Dual-Role Informal Caregivers, Lorilee Maldonado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are nearly 43.5 million informal caregivers (ICGs) in the United States, and this number will nearly double by 2030. Trying to fulfill the needs of an aging family member and commitments to work, home, and other relationships create a constant state of stress that may result in either leaving the workforce or placing the care recipient in a facility. Finding strategies that support both roles is economically and socially critical. This study explored the strategies that some ICGs have acquired that enable them to cope with these pressures. Work-family conflict theory, focusing on the conflict between work and family …

Synthesized Grounded Theory Expansion Of The Quadruple Aim In Acute Care Nursing, O. Ann Ann Fuller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractConflation of moral and compassionate healthcare within the business model that is focused on customer service, disempowers, dehumanizes, and destabilizes nursing as well as the financial stability of healthcare. The purpose of this research was to determine nurses’ perceptions of how their work environment supported or contradicted a potential expansion of the quadruple aim. The quadruple aim was the primary conceptual framework for this research. The overarching research question was about how the environment of care supports professional nurses’ provision of high-quality person- centered care and bolsters meaningful and purposeful careers. The synthesized grounded theory methodology was used to collect …

Evidence-Informed Health Care Transition Policy In California’S Title V Programs For Medical Complexity, Anthony Pallitto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inadequate health care transition policy continues to cause interruptions or setbacks in the continuity of medical care and lapses in health insurance coverage for adolescents in California's Title V programs for individuals with medically complex cases. Yet, there is a paucity of empirical health care transition research to develop an effective health care transition policy for children with medical complexity who are enrolled in California’s Title V program. The purpose of this explanatory case study was to explore the potentiality of translating evidence from a quasi-experimental health care transition primary research project into evidence-informed health care transition policy. The research …

Disparities In Oral Health: Socioeconomic Status And Policies To Increase Access To Primary Dental Care, Mckenzie Nutter

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Primary dental care is a patient-centered service consisting of routine dental checkups. The oral cavity is the first point of entrance to the body for many harmful pathogens. Therefore, primary dental care is essential to not only prevent and treat conditions in the mouth, but to also reduce the number of systemic diseases in the rest of the body. However, people with higher incomes or wealth have increased access to primary dental care. People with low socioeconomic status have decreased access to primary dental care, at least in part due to difficulties in paying for separate dental insurance. Disparities in …

Panda: A Case-Study Examining A Successful Audiology And Otology Patient And Public Involvement And Engagement Research Group, Laura Boddy, Richard Allen, Rosalyn Parker, Margaret E. O'Hara, Amy V. Gosling

Patient Experience Journal

There has been increasing involvement of patients and members of the public in research; however, case studies describing patient research groups with hearing loss are non-existent. Such case studies will be valuable, enabling evidence-based dialogue and promoting best practice in the engagement of patients, the public and researchers. This paper aims to discuss this practice. The absence of such dialogue may hinder initial efforts by researchers to realise the potential of Patient and Public Involvement. The objective of this study was to set up and run a patient and public involvement and engagement group in audiology research, use the lessons …

Addressing Social Disconnection Among Frequent Users Of Community Hospital Emergency Departments: A Statewide Implementation Evaluation, A. Rani Elwy, Elisa Koppelman, Victoria Parker, Chris Louis

Patient Experience Journal

We conducted a qualitative exploration and implementation evaluation of a Massachusetts policy initiative, the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation (CHART) investment program, to examine how CHART innovations aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits also addressed patients’ social disconnection problems according to a social connection framework (structural, functional, quality or multilevel). We performed interviews with 236 stakeholders (hospital managers, CHART providers, staff, and community partners) one-year post CHART implementation. Interviews were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Data were then mapped to levels of the social connection framework. Our results support that social disconnection, described as “loneliness” …

Patient Experience In Outpatient Clinics: Does Appointment Time Impact Satisfaction?, Shikha Shah Modi, Jennifer B. Costigan, Mark Lemak, Sue Feldman

Patient Experience Journal

The objective of this study is to understand patient experience by appointment time by analyzing the Consumer Assessment of Hospital Provider and Systems (CAHPS) scores at a granular level across pre-determined time periods (AM and PM). This study utilized quantitative and qualitative methods. A deidentified secondary data set from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Press Ganey website was used to analyze the difference in CAHPS scores across AM and PM time periods. Unstructured survey responses were analyzed as a way to further enrich the quantitative findings. The data sample consisted of 821 responses from a dermatology clinic for the …

Patients’ Experience In Hong Kong Hospitals: A Comparison Between South Asian And Chinese People, Nimisha Vandan, Janet Yuen-Ha Wong Dr., Paul Siu-Fai Yip Chair Professor, Daniel Yee-Tak Fong Dr.

Patient Experience Journal

Patient experience in hospital is positively associated with both self-rated and objectively measured health outcomes. In many countries ethnic minority patients have more negative experience and bear a disproportionate burden of disease than their majority counterparts. However, hospital experience of ethnic minority patients in Asia is still unexplored. We aimed to explore the hospital experience of South Asian ethnic minority and compare that with local Chinese patients’ experience in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional study sample comprised of 783 participants (388 South Asian and 395 Chinese). Picker Patient Experience-15 (PPE-15) questionnaire was used for data collection. Simple and multiple regressions were …