Interprofessional Education Commons^™

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (Pps, Elmiron) Maculopathy Demonstrates The Importance Of Coordinated Care From A Low Vision Perspective, Charlotte I. Spada Od, Stephanie Schmiedecke Barbieri Od, Patricia Sanchez Diaz Dvm, Phd, Jeffrey Rabin Od, Phd

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS, Elmiron®) is a widely used medication to reduce pain caused by interstitial cystitis, a bladder disorder most often affecting females. PPS maculopathy is a novel form of toxic retinal disease often not recognized or mistaken for other retinal conditions such as macular degeneration due to the initial similarities on fundus exam. However, when visualized using fundus autofluorescence, affected eyes show characteristic hyper/hypo-autofluorescent patterns.

Case report: A patient taking PPS for 10 years presented with macular changes and complaints of blurry vision and nyctalopia. Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and genetic testing were performed including fundus autofluorescence and …

Standardizing Group Visits For Gestational Diabetes Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative In An Outpatient Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic, Nha Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: At an outpatient maternal-fetal medicine clinic in Northern California, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) education is delivered inconsistently across nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered dietitians (RDs), with no standardized curriculum, referral criteria, or educational materials. Aim: By August 12, 2026, this project aimed to develop and implement a standardized GDM group visit framework for NPs, RDs, and scheduling staff in maternal-fetal medicine clinic, increasing compliance with standardized referral, enrollment, and educational processes from a baseline of 0% to 50%. Methods: Using baseline observations, workflow assessment, stakeholder input, and a literature review, the QI team developed standardized bilingual slide …

Benefits Of Pet Friendly Work Environments On Physical, Mental, And Social Health Of Office Workers: A Systematic Review, Ahmed Radwan, Jenna Keeman, Tristan Hunzinger, Owen Wilson, Shayla Seymour

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Pet-friendly workplace initiatives are increasingly common, yet the empirical evidence for benefits to office workers’ physical, mental, and social health is scattered and heterogeneous.

Objective: To synthesize evidence on health-related outcomes associated with pet-friendly work environments for office and desk-based workers, and to appraise the current level of evidence.

Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic search (2014–2024) was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, OVID, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts, extracted data, and appraised study quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklists. Outcomes were coded and synthesized narratively within three domains: physical, mental, …

Enhancing Emergency Department Preparedness For Amniotic Fluid Embolism Through Evidence-Based Simulation Training, Olivia M. Smoak

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Maternal mortality in the United States remains a significant and worsening public health concern, with increasing reliance on emergency departments (EDs) as access points for maternal care. Emergency clinicians are therefore more likely to encounter high-acuity obstetric emergencies, including maternal cardiac arrest and amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), yet often receive limited formal training in these conditions. Simulation-based education, interdisciplinary training, and cognitive aids have been identified as effective strategies to improve performance in high-risk, low-frequency events.

The purpose of the evidence-based practice project was to evaluate whether an interdisciplinary simulation with obstetric-led debrief and introduction of the AFE checklist improves …

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations In Georgia And Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks, Khloe R. Osborne

Honors Theses

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations in Georgia and Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks

One of the most daunting challenges of the industrial world is air pollution. Within this broad spectrum, there is an inhalable particle group named PM2.5, which contains black carbon. Black carbon has evidence that supports the generation and worsening of adverse health impacts, which may include birth complications, cognitive deficits in children, pulmonary aggravation, asthma, cardiovascular issues, neurological degenerative patterns, and cancer risk. This is especially seen in vulnerable populations, like children, elderly, and those who already suffer from weakened health, many of which reside in the southern …

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Implementation And Evaluation Of A Screening Algorithm In A Rural Family Practice Clinic, Mollie M. Tate, Whitney Dubas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and disproportionately affects rural populations. Although more than 90% of cases occur in adults older than 50 years, increasing incidence among younger adults prompted an update to national guidelines recommending screening beginning at age 45. Rural residents face multiple barriers to colorectal cancer screening (CRCS), including limited access to care, transportation challenges, lack of insurance, and absence of standardized screening processes in primary care. These barriers contribute to lower screening rates, delayed diagnosis, and poorer outcomes. Evidence demonstrates that CRCS reduces CRC morbidity and …

Improving Anesthesia Provider Confidence In The Identification, Management, And Treatment Of Postoperative Delirium, Brittany M. Whistle, Charles Dustin Phelps

Scholars Week

Purpose: Postoperative Delirium (POD) is a potentially devastating complication of anesthesia that is poorly understood by clinical staff leading to poor outcomes for surgical patients. This study is meant to determine if a focused knowledge presentation accompanied by visual aids could increase anesthesia providers confidence in identifying, diagnosing, and treating Postoperative Delirium.

Methodology: Utilizing a statistical model to analyze respondents results on a standardized test administered before and after an informational presentation with visual aids on the topic of Postoperative Delirium.

Results: Results indicated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores, with a p-value of .002, t(11) = …

Effect Of Pre-Training Patients Using A Self-Directed Slideshow Presentation On Visual Field Reliability In First-Time Test Takers, Lillian M. Centlivre B.S., Derek Zahnleuter B.S., Rahul Babu B.S., Chaesik Kim, Kaitlin Ziadeh Md, Hanna Simmons Md, Vivian Rajeswaren Md, Aleskey Parker Williams Do, Jacob Im Md, Aleksey Mishulin Md, Faisal Ridha Al-Timimi Md, Hassan Tokko

Medical Student Research Symposium

Title: Effect of Pre-Training Patients Using a Self-Directed Slideshow Presentation on Visual Field Reliability in First-Time Test Takers

Authors: Lillian Centlivre BS, Derek Zahnleuter BS, Rahul Babu BS, Chaesik Kim BSEE, Kaitlin Ziadeh MD, Hanna Simmons MD, Vivian Rajeswaren MD, Aleksey Parker Williams DO, Jacob Im MD, Aleksey Mishulin MD, Faisal Ridha Al-Timimi MD, Hassan Tokko MD

Background: Visual field (VF) testing is essential for detecting glaucoma, but reliability is limited by patient inexperience and poor fixation. Prior studies report VF test reliability around 59%, primarily attributed to increased fixation loss (FL). Other studies note 75.9% reliability using training videos …

Rural Georgia Hospital Covid-19 Virus Patient Outcomes, Susan P. Smith, Neeraj Dayama, Morgan E. House, Debra Flores, Sharon Hunt, April Dukes, Steven Gautney

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to over 1.2 million deaths in the United States. Given the staggering scale of the pandemic, rural hospitals faced heightened challenges due to limited resource availability and underlying patient characteristics.

Methods: In this context, we examined patient and hospital-related factors associated with inpatient mortality due to COVID-19. This study is a retrospective chart review of patient outcomes of patients who were hospitalized in a Southwest Georgia rural hospital with COVID-19 during the initial onset of the outbreak and over the following 23 months of the pandemic. Patient demographics, other characteristics, …

Diagnostic Trends And Service Enhancements In Deaf Mental Health: A Longitudinal Analysis, Kent Schafer, Steve Hamerdinger, Frank Wu, Rie Sakai Bizmark, Charlene Crump

JADARA

A longitudinal study investigated mental health diagnostic trends and patterns among Deaf and Hearing individuals using a comprehensive dataset from Alabama Department of Mental Health spanning 2004-2024 (Deaf=4,547; Hearing=2,056,188). Chi-square analysis revealed significant proportional differences in diagnoses between the groups. Deaf individuals showed significantly higher proportions of psychotic (12.93% vs. 8.33% Hearing), mood (20.76% vs. 18.84% Hearing), and personality (0.58% vs. 0.43% Hearing) disorders. These findings suggest that increased access to specialized and competent mental health services for individuals who are Deaf, particularly following the increase of staffing patterns for the Office of Deaf Services in 2015,contributed to more accurate …

Advancing Screening For Intimate Partner Violence In Pregnant Individuals Throughout The Perinatal Period To Prevent Adverse Pregnancy And Maternal Outcomes, Emilia R. Valdez

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Intimate Partner Violence experienced by pregnant individuals contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal health. A mother’s exposure to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can affect their ability to carry a healthy pregnancy to term (38 – 40 weeks gestational age) and places them at risk for comorbidities including; Preterm birth, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Low Birth Weight/ Small for Gestational Age, Premature Rupture of Membranes and Miscarriage. The incidence of IPV screening is not accessible to all pregnant individuals due to healthcare providers lack of education, time constraints in the workplace, bias and discomfort towards IPV. The implementation of IPV …

Don't Let Them Fall, Let Ai Call, Ella Mills, Sara Barker, Andreea Ifrim, Yvette Uwase

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This project proposes a nurse-led pilot of AI-supported predictive mobility monitoring on a cardiac medical-surgical unit, to improve early identification of high-risk mobility behaviors and enhance patient safety. Current fall-prevention strategies, such as bed alarms and virtual sitters, often alert staff after unsafe movement has begun, creating a reactive cycle that contributes to alarm fatigue and delayed intervention (Abbe & O’Keeffe, 2020). This initiative uses monitors with contactless infrared sensors to identify movement before patients exit the bed, an alert system that goes straight to the nurse and PCT phones, and a central console for floor management and care coordination. …

Transition To Home Guideline For Patients With Diabetes, Kathleen R. Burgner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Diabetes is a leading contributor to preventable hospital readmissions. These hospital readmissions often result from fragmented discharge planning, poor care coordination, and limited post-discharge support. At a 915-bed academic medical center in Southern California, the diabetes-related readmission rate was 13.3%, compared with 11.4% among patients without diabetes. This project aimed to develop an evidence-based Transition-to-Home (TTH) guideline for hospitalized patients with diabetes and evaluate the strength of its recommendations through multidisciplinary stakeholder review.

Methods: An evidence-based guideline development project was conducted over 8 weeks. A comprehensive literature search in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect identified current evidence on transitional …

An Art Of Port Wine Birthmark - A Case Report On Type Ii Sturge Weber Syndrome, Dr Sushmitha S, Dr Aravind Warrier S, Dr Dhivya Bharathi

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Sturge Weber Syndrome is a Phakomatoses group of neurocutaneous disorders. They manifest in the dermal, neural, ocular, and oral regions due to a mutation in the GNAQ gene. These lesions often are unilateral following the course of the trigeminal nerve.Here we present a case of 54-year-old woman with a history of glaucoma with a unilateral reddish-purple discoloration of the palate and a port-wine stain limited to the left side of her face. The clinical course of Sturge-Weber syndrome is quite complex and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. In type 2 cases of Sturge-Weber syndrome, patients present with facial angiomas and glaucoma, …

Eye On The Prize: Expanding Student Awareness Of Optometry As A Profession, Lorena Flores-Hernandez

MedEd Teaching Certificate Program

The proposed Doctor of Optometry program at UTRGV has the potential to positively enhance the ocular health of our communities. Implementing an outreach program highlighting a career path in optometry will be essential for the future of eyecare in the Rio Grande Valley.

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the optometric workforce is projected to grow over the next decade. The increased demand for optometrists is related to multiple factors including an aging population with chronic diseases and a nationwide shortage of ophthalmology practitioners.

Nationally, the Optometry Gives Me Life campaign, launched by the Association of …

Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Artificial Intelligence Among Healthcare Professionals: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey, Nikhil R, Divya K L, Mahabaleshwar Mamadapur, Harshwardhan S Patil, Shashirekha B, Hema Sameera Pinnam, Purna Bansal

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Deep learning-powered Artificial Intelligence-driven assistance offers enormous potential to improve healthcare by facilitating administrative work, diagnosis, and the treatment of chronic diseases. The gap between clinical values and the day-to-day realities of primary care practice might widen if AI is not successfully incorporated.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to evaluate healthcare professionals' perceptions and understanding of AI within a clinical setting. The study was conducted among 456 Health care Workers from May to November 2024.

Results: Among 456 participants, 55.7% were MBBS students/interns, and 37.9% were postgraduates/professionals. More than 50% supported AI integration, and 62.3% of MBBS …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates For Patients Without Insurance, Andrea F. Day

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States (U.S.), ranking as second most prevalent overall. Despite many initiatives, screening rates remain low, especially among clinic patients without insurance. The lack of an evidence-based screening protocol exacerbates these issues and increases the risk of advanced cancer and death. Initial data showed that 0% of patients were screened according to recommended guidelines.

Purpose: The project implemented a standard screening protocol to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in a rural Alabama free clinic for patients ages 45-64 lacking insurance.

Project Design: This quality improvement …

Self-Reported Audiological And Vestibular Symptoms Associated With Lyme Disease, Daniella A. Bryan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background:

Lyme disease, an infectious vector-borne illness, is carried by the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, which harbor the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the United States annually. Lyme disease has a multitude of clinical presentations and overlaps with other complex illnesses, making diagnosis and treatment a medical challenge. This distinct bacterium can migrate into any organ system through the mediums of soft tissue, the lymphatic system, and the circulatory system. Despite its prevalence and range in symptomatology, minimal research has been conducted to identify distinct audiological and vestibular symptoms associated with a Lyme …

Pcsk-9 Inhibitors Treatment: The Cardiovascular Disparity, Julia Lees, Seana-Pierre Williams, Tahir Razzaq, Michael B. Roberts

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. This phenomenon disproportionally affects the African American population, who have a 31% higher mortality rate than non-Hispanic Caucasian individuals. A retrospective review of PCSK-9 medication use, specifically in a patient population that had minimal representation in the large, landmark clinical trials, can lead to better understanding about the therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease reduction and patient outcomes attributed to medication use. Education regarding this novel drug class, medication access and patient support, …

Teaming Up For Better Health: An Interprofessional Collaborative Approach To Older Adult Oral Care, Deborah Dowd, Jodie Lopez, Jennifer Goodman

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Oral health is a critical component of overall health, significantly influencing systemic diseases and the quality of life in older adults. Conditions such as xerostomia, swallowing difficulties, and poor oral self-care are associated with aspiration pneumonia. Integrating oral health into healthcare in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is essential for preventing various conditions and improving quality of life. Effective oral hygiene is crucial in avoiding non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia by reducing oral biofilm and lowering the risk of pneumonia. Nurses' knowledge and care in oral health across healthcare settings are vital for positive health outcomes. Revising nursing curricula to incorporate oral health …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Final Scholarly Project: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Eras) Guidelines For Pancreaticoduodenectomies, Rebecca Wheeler

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

A pancreaticoduodenectomy, or Whipple procedure, is the only curative option for pancreatic cancer. For those eligible for tumor resection, the Whipple procedure is a difficult surgery for both the patient and provider. Complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy are numerous and include infection, delayed gastric emptying, high hospital costs, and pancreatic fistulas. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols exist to provide evidence supporting standardization of practices that lead to the improvement of these patient outcomes. An ERAS protocol for the pancreaticoduodenectomy, first established in 2012, is inconsistently implemented in healthcare facilities. Researchers collected data involving the use of the Whipple procedure ERAS guidelines …

Understanding The Care Experiences And Support Needs Of Uk Adults Treated In Hospital For Meningitis, Harriet Hay, Amy Tallett Dr, Bec Aeddi, Beverley Corbett, Claire Donovan, Jane Blewitt, Juan Abad Madroñero

Patient Experience Journal

Background: Meningitis often results in ongoing and multifaceted after-effects, which can impact many aspects of people's lives, yet relatively little support and follow-up is offered. This study explored post-treatment care experiences of UK adults aged 16 and over following a recent stay in hospital for meningitis. Methods: A survey was designed to ask about hospital discharge, recovery, information provision and aftercare support. The research involved 5 semi-structured, in-depth interviews and a 15-participant online asynchronous focus group. The themes arising from this qualitative stage informed the development of a quantitative 32-item questionnaire which was hosted and promoted online between September 2022 …

Effectiveness Of The Use Of An Opt-Out Script To Increase Hiv Screening In Adolescent Clients In Pediatric Primary Care Clinics In West Tennessee: A Scoping Review, Julie Cupples Msn, Rn, Allison Johnson Ms, Bsn, Rn, Sally Humphrey Dnp, Aprn, Cpnp-Pc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend one-time human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening for all adolescents. Pediatric primary care providers are on the front lines of adolescent healthcare and can provide testing that is adolescent-friendly, confidential, and easily accessible. This scoping review aims to synthesize the evidence and assess the literature on the efficacy of using an opt-out script to increase HIV testing in adolescent well-child checks.

Methods

A literature review was conducted between October 2022 and August 2024 to collect studies assessing adolescents aged 12-18, provider-led sex education, and …

Improving The Rates Of Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnosis By Increasing Provider Knowledge About Testing, Lauren Cunningham

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

There has been a significant increase in sexually transmitted infection rates since 2021. Though this issue is nationwide, rural providers require education regarding testing, screening, and transmission of disease processes. The infections with the most significant increase being gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The purpose of this project was to provide education to providers regarding local statistics, in addition to when to and not to test for sexually transmitted infections. Education was given to three Advance Practice Nurse Practitioners on disease signs and symptoms, transmission, and local STI statistic rates. STI testing rates were observed three months prior to an educational …

Atypical Dengue Fever With Severe Hematological Manifestations: A Case From The Rio Grande Valley, Elias Arellano Villanueva, Alhasan Asaad, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Symposium

Background: Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness, is endemic in tropical regions, including border regions like the Rio Grande Valley while often self-limited, severe presentations such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome highlight its challenges and complexities. This report describes an atypical dengue case with severe hematological manifestations, underscoring the diagnostic challenges and the importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary evaluation, and evidence-based management.

Case Presentation: A 22-year-old Hispanic female with no significant past medical history presented to the ED with hematemesis and fever following her travel to Monterrey, Mexico. Initial symptoms included high fever (107.6°F), chills, diarrhea, vomiting, …

Bloom: Behavioral Learning And Outcome Observation In Microbes, Sean Sarwar Haque, Luke Compton Wharton, Ming Lin, Razvan Voicu

Symposium of Student Scholars

Understanding how pathogens respond to physical changes in their environment is crucial for developing effective treatments and preventative measures. Current research often relies on static models or experimental data that either fail to capture the dynamic interactions within cellular environments or are not generalizable to other types of pathogens. This project aims to address this gap by creating a comprehensive cell simulation that models pathogens and their response to chemical, physical, and physiological changes. The proposed solution is a simulation that integrates biological data and computational modeling to replicate the behavior of pathogens in real time as they are affected …

Implementation Of Endometriosis Toolkit: A Quality Improvement Project To Enhance Nurse Practitioners’ Knowledge And Management, Hasbun Rachel

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis, characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial-like tissue, affects approximately 11% of reproductive-aged women in the United States. Diagnosing endometriosis is challenging due to its diverse clinical presentations, reliance on laparoscopic procedures, absence of biomarkers, and limited awareness among healthcare providers and patients.

Local Problem: The diagnostic complexity of endometriosis, compounded by reduced provider awareness and a lack of comprehensive resources, leads to delayed and suboptimal care for affected women.

Methods: This Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project aimed to enhance nurse practitioners’ (NPs) knowledge and management of endometriosis through a 1-hour educational session at the …