Medical Humanities Commons^™

Barriers To Healthcare Access Between English And Spanish Speakers In An Underserved Population, Adeena Javed, Dale Johnson, Gerardo J. Rivera-Colón, Nathaniel J. Byrnes, Kristin Bertsch, Anne C. Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

• According to the NJ State Department of Health, Atlantic County has higher rates of smoking, respiratory disease, hypercholesterolemia, as well as death rates due to coronary heart disease, HIV, and all cancers compared to the NJ state average1,2.

• With over 20% of Atlantic County's population identifying as Hispanic, Spanish speakers encounter greater obstacles compared to their English-speaking counterparts in accessing healthcare services and improving health outcomes1,2 .

• Existing research indicates that various factors, including health insurance coverage, proximity to healthcare facilities, transportation options, health literacy levels, and trust in the medical profession, significantly influence access to healthcare …

Exploring Hypertension Prevalence Among Ill-Housed Individuals In Urban Environments, Lia Goldberg, Sameer Shah, Nikhila Archakam, Murod Khikmatov, Kesha Choksi, Anddee White

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study explores the interrelations of hypertension, homelessness, and access to healthcare in urban ill-housed populations. It was found that conditions such as heart disease and diabetes significantly exacerbate hypertension, which remains highly prevalent due to the population's limited access to consistent medical care. Homelessness further complicates the management of hypertension due to unstable living conditions, making adherence to treatment and follow-up with healthcare providers challenging. Additionally, factors like higher rates of substance abuse and malnutrition among homeless populations contribute to worsening hypertension, which, if untreated, can lead to severe health crises including heart attacks and strokes.

The research underscores …

Pros, Cons, And The Barriers To Implementing A Universal Healthcare System In The United States, Arpun Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Despite that, it also has worse health outcomes than that of several other countries. The United States is also the only wealthy/developed country without universal healthcare. Universal healthcare, also known as a single-payer healthcare system, refers to the concept that the government finances and governs healthcare for most, if not all residents of the country. The United States currently has a multi-payer system, which means that healthcare is financed through various sources such as the public and private sectors. Purpose: The purpose of this is …

Sunscreen Cost And Its Effect On Skin Cancer In Low-Income Communities: A Systemic Review, John Sauer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This research examines the pivotal connection between sunscreen affordability and its impact on skin cancer prevalence, especially in low-income communities. Despite universal dermatological recommendations for daily sunscreen use, stringent criteria contribute to elevated prices, averaging around $10 for a 6 oz unit. This financial strain is compounded for families adhering to recommended application rates, leading to significant economic burdens. Outdoor laborers, less likely to follow guidelines, face heightened risks. Government programs' excluding sunscreen costs further exacerbate challenges for low-income communities, contributing to increased skin cancer incidence. This review aims to establish a correlation between sunscreen cost and skin cancer rates, …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Mask Mandate On Effective Communication Between Healthcare Providers And Deaf/Hoh Patients, Antonia J. Conti, Alexa Gingerich

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries mandated the use of facial masks in public environments, especially in healthcare settings.[3] While this was beneficial in reducing the spread of the coronavirus disease, it created many challenges for the deaf/HoH community.[4] In particular, it limited effective communication between healthcare providers and deaf/HoH patients. It was found that masks limit word recognition for both deaf/HoH and non-deaf/HoH individuals. Additionally, both surgical and N95 masks hinder word recognition for deaf/HoH individuals and significantly impact communication during medical appointments.

Investigating Risk Factors Contributing To The High Incidence Of Covid-19 Among The Diné People Of The Navajo Nation, Elizabeth Lila Reynolds

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: COVID-19 became international news in December 2019 and subsequently impacted global health. The research shows that the Diné people of the Navajo Nation were one of the most severely impacted populations¹. The Navajo Nation is a region spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah that is composed of North American indigenous people known as the Diné. Purpose: To explore the risk factors contributing to the increased rates of COVID-19 infection and severity of infection among the Diné people. Methods: This literature review research process utilized PubMed and JAMA to find scholarly articles on this topic. Search terms …

Lep Prevalence In Southern New Jersey And The Use Of Interpreting Services In Healthcare Settings, Katherine Chavarria, Ariana Blake, Marlyn Valentin

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Language barriers pose a great challenge to populations of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in understanding their health, diagnosis, and treatments in healthcare settings. Our research aimed to gain a better understanding of the language access needs in Southern New Jersey. We analyzed census data in order to determine the prevalence of LEP populations in Southern New Jersey, as well as the languages most spoken by LEP populations. Additionally, our research looked at the use of interpreting services in healthcare settings. In Camden county, specifically we found that the top 3 languages spoken by LEP populations were Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese. …

Colorblind Racial Attitudes And Emotion Dysregulation: Impact On White People’S Ethnocultural Empathy And Feelings Towards People Of Color, Vanessa L. Veltre, Alissa Hochman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Colorblind racial attitudes, which minimize the importance of race, have been identified as a barrier to understanding systemic racism and fostering empathy towards people of color (POC). This study aimed to examine the relationship between emotion dysregulation and White people's ethnocultural empathy and warmth towards people of color, and to explore the potential moderating role of colorblind racial attitudes.

The study utilized data from 511 White participants (ages 19-50) who completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Colorblind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS), Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (SEE), and a feeling thermometer scale measuring warmth towards POC. Participants were categorized …

Relationship Between Caregiver Burden And Socioeconomic Status, Nikitha Pappachen, Maithri Goud

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In this study, caregiver burden measures the psychosocial strain a caregiver experiences as a result of caring for a person with autism. In addition, this study focuses on the effect of socioeconomic status on caregiver burden. A previous study found an association between lower primary caregiver education level and more sleep problems for children with autism³. Thus, the finding focuses on the child with autism as opposed to the caregiver burden. Other studies focus on elements that affect caregiver burden such as sleep quality, mental health, and cultural aspects. If it is known that socioeconomic status significantly affects …

Identifying Youth Appeals In Alcohol Alternative Social Media Content Through Framing, Melina Oneal

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Proposed regulations for alcohol advertising prevent beverage companies from targeting people under the legal drinking age. However, similar regulations for alcohol alternative beverages are less explored, which could allow alcohol alternative products to create awareness for alcoholic beverages among youth. Alcohol alternatives beverages, including no-alcohol and low-alcohol products, are increasing in popularity and can function as compliments to alcoholic products to decrease the total alcohol volume consumed or as substitutes for alcoholic products. Framing theory can be operationalized through the Content Appealing to Youth Index, an index of content elements found in research literature to be appealing to youth, to …

Poetic Representations Of Covid-19 Narratives: An Exploration Of Emotional Experiences During The Pandemic, Isha Harshe, Lindy Davidson

The Qualitative Report

In pivotal moments of history like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to attend to and preserve the stories of different people experiencing the same phenomenon in their own ways. This project analyzed the public’s emotional experiences during the pandemic using methods of narrative and poetic inquiry. After reading 105 entries from the Pandemic Journaling Project, an online platform where people anonymously published journal entries reflecting on their pandemic experiences, narratives were categorized based on ten prominent emotional themes: anger, anxiety, fatigue, fear, loneliness, longing, loss, loss of control, stress, and uncertainty. Found poems were constructed for each emotion …

Social Determinants Of Health And Lung Cancer Surgery: A Qualitative Study, Dede K. Teteh, Betty Ferrell, Oluwatimilehin Okunowo, Aidea Downie, Loretta Erhunmwunsee, Susanne B. Montgomery, Dan J. Raz, Rick Kittles, Jae Y. Kim, Virginia Sun

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Introduction: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-clinical factors that may affect the outcomes of cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of SDOH factors on quality of life (QOL)-related outcomes for lung cancer surgery patients.

Methods: Thirteen patients enrolled in a randomized trial of a dyadic self-management intervention were invited and agreed to participate in semi-structured key informant interviews at study completion (3 months post-discharge). A conventional content analysis approach was used to identify codes and themes that were derived from the interviews. Independent investigators coded the qualitative data, which were subsequently …

Microaggressions: Investigating Physical Therapy Student Perspectives During Clinical Experiences, Dakota Studley, Jocelin Friedman, Ashley H. Campbell, Laurie Shimko, Megan B. Flores

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose: Microaggressions are “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial slights and insults to the target person or group” (Gilliam & Russel, 2021). The effect of microaggressions has been explored among medical students, however, there is limited literature identifying the frequency and effect of microaggressions on Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of DPT students on clinical experiences to determine: 1) the frequency that students experience microaggressions, and 2) the impact of microaggressions on self-efficacy.

Methods: …

Expanding Health Professional Education In The Rio Grande Valley During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sabrina R. Orta, Samantha G. Alvarado, Shuchita Jhaveri

Research Symposium

Purpose: The COVID-19 Pandemic has prompted innovation in health professional education, such that learners are able to recognize and mitigate healthcare disparities in the outcomes of vulnerable populations. The objective of our project was to increase education on preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19 and other locally prevalent infectious diseases that disproportionately affect RGV communities.

Description: This project had 3 goals: (1) provide learners with virtual patient-interaction simulations (2) provide interactive training modules on the identification, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases affecting South TX and strategies to increase child vaccinations, and (3) provide learners an opportunity to coordinate …

Patient's Perspective Of Shared Decision-Making In Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: A Grounded Theory Exploration, Isabela Viana Oliveira, Mariana Martins Gonzaga Nascimento, Cristiane P. Rezende Mrs, Carina M. Neves, Hagabo Mathyell Silva, Ana Luiza Mourawad Cesar, Djenane Ramalho De Oliveira

The Qualitative Report

Current guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment state that all decisions should be shared with the patient. Therefore, it becomes necessary to understand in-depth how patients with RA with different levels of health literacy and activation feel about sharing the decision with the health professional and how they experience this process. Grounded theory was used. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with 14 patients with RA. From the analysis of the patients’ narratives, four categories were built: “Accepting the changes: non-shared decisions”; “The patient's rationale: why not share?”; “Reaching the requirements for sharing the decision: expanding the patient’s autonomy"; and "Experiencing …

“Handicap Removed”: An Alternative Path To The Social Model, Craig M. Rustici

Journal of Gender, Ethnic, and Cross-Cultural Studies

This article identifies an expression of a social model of disability in a 1966 film promoting Hofstra University’s Program for the Higher Education of the Handicapped and traces that model back to books published by the pioneering rehabilitation physician Henry H. Kessler in 1935 and 1947, decades before the UPIAS (Union of the Physically Impaired against Segregation) Fundamental Principles of Disability (1976). In light of Kessler’s articulation of social and minority models, identification of contrasting religious, charity and medical models, and discussion of disability stigma, this article reassesses Ruth O’Brien’s critique, in Crippled Justice (2001), of Kessler and the twentieth-century …

Poem: Adrienne Rich's (1955) "Ideal Landscape"

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

No abstract provided.

Death Cafés As A Strategy To Foster Compassionate Communities: Contributions For Death And Grief Literacy

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

The death-positive movement, the most recent manifestation of the death awareness movement, contends that modern society is suffering from a “death taboo” and that people should talk more openly about death. This movement is striving to shift the dialogue about (and place of) death and dying into community spaces. Death literacy is defined as a set of skills and knowledge enabling people to learn about, understand, and act on end-of-life and death-care options. People and groups with a high level of death literacy have a context-specific comprehension of the death system and can more easily adapt to it, becoming better …

Editorial Introduction Vol 6 (1) 2023

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

No abstract provided.

Psychenatur: Selfing And Naturing

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

Insofar as our sense of and appreciation of “nature aesthetics” is both culturally biased and subjectively determined (given our agentic proclivities and/or actual degrees of freedom), and while taking the more inclusive perspective that, objectively so, ‘nature’ are all the processes seen and unseen that existed, now exist, and will exist, from the infinitesimally small to those of cosmic proportions, and, that whatever we mean by a singular “self” stands, in reality, for a multiplicity of self-other and self-otherness references (i.e., intersectionality during the entire life of a given individual—see Fig. 3), then all characterizations easily or convolutely described …

Table Of Contents Vol 6 (1) May 2023

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

No abstract provided.

Dirt, Ground And Groundedness: Material Semiotics And Social Anchors Of The Real And Truth In The Modernist Imaginary

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

What makes the ground (earth, dirt, soil) the axial point of reference for modern subjectivity? In this paper, I explore the semiotics of the ground and the complex ways modern subjectivity sets a performative frame around association/ disassociation with dirt. From the hygiene hypothesis and the problematic of modern existence and the lack of understanding of the good of dirt for the immune system to the ontology of being real in grounded theory, how we posit our connection to the ground can inform us of the way that we seek to anchor our place in the world. In this anchoring …

Phenomenographic Interpretation Of The Spanish Universalist School: Part I/Iii

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

Since the beginning of the XX Century, it exists as anti-Spanish propaganda, a stable narrative promoted since the XVI Century: The black legend (Leyenda Negra). This is one of the main reasons why, frequently, the Spanish pensamiento has been reconstructed in a half-hazard and incomplete manner. Paradoxically, this is the result of a past with high relevancy, developing as it did as imperial Catholic culture, integrating and civilizing different peoples as humanly and morally equals. More deservedly, a modern sense of a “self,” rightfully examined, is the idea of a “self” created by the School of Salamanca (see …

Artist's Corner: Isabel Cidoncha

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Jared Farmer (2022). Elderflora: A Modern History Of Ancient Trees. Ny: Basic Books.

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

No abstract provided.

Interview: Implementing A “Sense Of Place” Pedagogy In The Valley Of Alagón, Spain

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

No abstract provided.

Exordium: Lost Words, Lost Worlds

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

Brunold-Conesa, C. (2022). Lost Words, Lost Nature: A Dictionary's Controversial Choices. Montessori Life: The Official Blog and Magazine of the American Montessori Society, Wednesday, September 07, 2022. https://amshq.org/Blog/2022-09-07-Lost-Words-Lost-Nature

New Coyote (Qomu'tsau) Stories: Death

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

No abstract provided.

Language Barrier Contributions To Food Insecurity In Spanish-Speaking Populations, Amin Khan, Leeza Kumar, Edanur Kilic, Stephen Acheampong

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Food insecurity refers to a household or individual’s inability to access adequate food to obtain a healthy lifestyle. This contributes to health concerns such as birth defects, low nutritional intake, anemia, cognitive problems, mental health disorders, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Low-income rural community members lack access to full grocery stores and often turn to convenience stores with unhealthy, expensive, and fewer food options. The aim of this study was to determine how language barriers affect Spanish-speaking populations with limited English proficiency. The research for this project was obtained from Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Keywords included “health disparities,” “Spanish-speaking,” …

The Correlation Between Traumatic Brain Injury And Incarceration Among Adult Males In The United States, Shadi Shams

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The United States has one of the largest growing prison populations in the world. A large amount of social and economic resources go towards the cost and maintenance of correctional facilities each year. Additionally, the current correctional programs are insufficient in assisting inmates with getting back to society; especially those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who often remain undiagnosed and are usually treated unfairly in the prison system instead of receiving the appropriate help. Prior scholarly work has shown that patients in the post-TBI stage are more likely to enter the judicial system. In the recent population-based cohort study, the …