Primary Care Commons^™

Degree Of Knowledge, Potential Barriers, And Reasons For Finding Out About Genetic Testing, Lisa Ann Atkinson, Drew Alexander Holm, Michael Jacob

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Genetic testing is a resource that continues to evolve and change the world of medicine. The availability of such testing has created opportunities for many to better understand and take control of their health. However, studies show that the general population is still lacking in awareness toward genetic testing and what it has to offer. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge about genetic testing and participant’s feelings towards finding out about a possible inheritable disease. A nine question survey was distributed to 156 participants at two Minnesota schools and one Minnesota clinic. The study found that …

Patient Understanding Of The Physician Assistant Profession Across Age Groups, Amber Baumann, Galen Hilgendorf

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The demand for healthcare providers such as Physician Assistants is ever increasing with the growing and aging United States population. The number of Physician Assistant education programs as well as practicing Physician Assistants is growing at an astronomical rate, making the general population’s understanding of this profession more important than ever. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the degree of understanding of the Physician Assistant profession across the Twin Cities metro and south central Minnesota. It also assesses if a gap in understanding exists across age groups within these areas. The study utilized a web-based questionnaire consisting of 12 …

Patient Satisfaction With Physician Assistants In Family Practice, Megan A. Bendix, Mariah Eystad

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The nation is experiencing an expanding, aging population. As the nation faces an imminent physician shortage, physician assistants (PAs) will be utilized in practice to a greater extent. Maintaining patient satisfaction is important because it improves patient outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient satisfaction with PAs in family practice. By researching determinants of satisfaction, this study will identify the factors that influence overall patient satisfaction. The results will indicate what aspects of a patient’s visit can be improved upon to increase satisfaction. Methods: A survey was given at family practice clinics to patients that …

Sports Specialization And Injury Prevalence, Jacob P. Berwyn, Jordan Lee Reiner

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This retrospective study examines musculoskeletal injury prevalence rates among high school athletes. Specifically, it examines if there is a higher injury prevalence amongst single sport athletes compared to multi-sport high school athletes. Also, it looks at injury prevalence by gender to determine if male or female athletes are more prone to injuries. The population for this study consisted of student athletes from Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota. In order to qualify for the study the athletes must have participated in a State High School League sanctioned sport prior to competing at the collegiate level. Consent forms and questionnaires were …

Dynamic Knee Hyperextension Screening As A Predictor Of Acl Injury Potential In Competitive High School Soccer Players, Jon-Paul W. Ciszewski, David Mcgehee, Jessica Schindler

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Young, active populations who play sports that include sudden cutting motions, are at heightened risk of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Female athletes with increased joint laxity and subsequent hyperextension of the knee, are at greatest risk of ACL injury when compared to males. Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to explore the incidence of dynamic knee hyperextension in high school soccer athletes by sex and team level, as observed through high-speed photography. This could lead to a potentially practicable screening tool for identifying high school soccer athletes at increased risk of ACL injury. Methods: …

Prevalence Of Caffeine Use And Knowledge Of Its Benefits, Side Effects, And Withdrawal Symptoms Among Pre-Pa Students, Pa Students, And Clinically Practicing Pas, Kjerstin Grace Durie, Chelsie Nicole Horner, Greta Sowles

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Caffeine is consumed daily by eighty percent of the world’s population, making it the most widely used stimulant drug. Caffeine has various benefits, side effects, and withdrawal symptoms associated with its use, but there is a lack of research that studies how much caffeine users know about these effects. This research study assessed the use of caffeine for academic and professional purposes and the knowledge about the benefits, side effects, and withdrawal symptoms of caffeine among pre-PA students, PA students, and practicing PAs in Minnesota. To do so, a paper copy of a survey was given to pre-PA students and …

Patient Satisfaction Of Physician Assistants And Physicians In The Emergency Department, Brittany Geditz, Yu Guan, Lauren Lahr

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Emergency medicine has developed rapidly since the 1960s with an increasing need for providers due to the increasing number of presenting patients in the emergency department. Physician assistants have filled that gap; however, patient knowledge and subsequent patient satisfaction of emergency department physician assistants remains to be researched. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine and evaluate patient satisfaction after seeing a physician assistant and a physician in the emergency department. Patient knowledge of the role of a physician assistant in an emergency department setting was assessed, as well as the possible correlation between patient knowledge of …

End-Of-Life Education And Preparedness Of Physician Assistants In Minnesota And The Surrounding States, Julie Ann Graner, Lukas Steffan, Zachary Stutzman

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the population in the United States ages, palliative care spending and needs have been increasing. Most quality outcome measures, however, have shown inadequate satisfaction among patients and caregivers. A number of studies have investigated the preparation and preparedness of physicians and other medical providers when dealing with end-of-life care, but few have looked in the preparedness of physician assistants (PAs). The aim of this study was to assess the preparedness of PAs when it comes to dealing with end-of-life care and to determine when and how comfort is achieved when dealing with patients at end-of-life. A novel electronic survey …

Health Literacy And Medication Administration Knowledge Of Unlicensed Health Care Workers In Assisted Living Facilities, Lynsey Jae Kissinger, Kelsey Walczak

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the health literacy and medication administration knowledge of unlicensed health care workers such as certified nursing assistants and non-certified caregivers working in assisted living facilities in Minnesota. Currently, there is a lack of research about both the health literacy and medication administration knowledge of unlicensed health care workers. Unlicensed health care workers in assisted living facilities provide healthcare assistance to the elderly and may provide services such as medication administration, blood glucose monitoring, and assistance with activities of daily living. This research utilized the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) assessment to determine the …

The Barriers: Psychosocial And Economic Resistance Men Face In Seeking Fertility Evaluations, Cynthia C. Konrath, Ashton Makwana

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been a minimal amount of research conducted regarding barriers presenting to male patients presenting for fertility evaluations. Research that focuses on the male gender’s reactions to infertility has been just as limited. The purpose of this research, which was preformed through a literature review and custom survey, was to find some foundational insight on the barriers encountered by men seeking a fertility evaluation. These barriers include psychosocial and economical barriers. The medical field can use the outcomes of this research to as a basis to direct further studies, and to better understand barriers affecting men from seeking infertility …

Complications Of Bone And Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients Following Limb Salvage And Amputation Procedures, Sandra Ogato

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Extremity bone and soft tissue sarcoma are a rare type of cancer with treatment modalities to include chemotherapy and radiation and surgical procedures. Surgery can be limb salvage or limb amputation. Patients of extremity bone and soft tissue sarcomas may experience physical and psychosocial effects due to sarcoma treatments impacting physical performance, quality of life, and social support. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the complications of extremity bone and soft tissue sarcoma in patients following limb salvage and amputation surgeries. Methods: Patients were selected from the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital database and had a primary tumor located …

Pa Compensation Models In The Twin Cities, Kayli J. Piechowski, Alannah Pratt

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A variety of compensation models for medical providers exist today. Current literature reveals that the main compensation models present for physicians and other advanced practice providers today include fee for service (FFS), fixed salary, pay for performance (P4P), and mixed models. To our knowledge, no previous studies that have characterized the compensation models of physician assistants (PAs) or their satisfaction in relation to those models exists. This study aims to characterize PA compensation models in the Twin Cities metro area and analyze PA satisfaction with these models. An electronic survey was used to collect data characterizing compensation models of PAs …

A Role For B Cells In Organic Dust Induced Lung Inflammation, Jill A. Poole, Ted R. Mikuls, Michael J. Duryee, Kristi J. Warren, Todd A. Wyatt, Amy J. Nelson, Debra J. Romberger, William W. West, Geoffrey M. Thiele

Journal Articles: Internal Medicine

BACKGROUND: Agriculture organic dust exposures induce lung disease with lymphoid aggregates comprised of both T and B cells. The precise role of B cells in mediating lung inflammation is unknown, yet might be relevant given the emerging role of B cells in obstructive pulmonary disease and associated autoimmunity.

METHODS: Using an established animal model, C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and B-cell receptor (BCR) knock-out (KO) mice were repetitively treated with intranasal inhalation of swine confinement organic dust extract (ODE) daily for 3 weeks and lavage fluid, lung tissues, and serum were collected.

RESULTS: ODE-induced neutrophil influx in lavage fluid was not reduced …

The Effect Of Statins In Primary Prevention On All-Cause Mortality, Brian Adams

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

During routine yearly physicals, primary care providers often evaluate serum laboratory lipid levels. Many of these patients have no past medical history of cardiovascular events related to atherosclerotic disease. Some patients do not have secondary risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus or smoking history.

Previous cardiovascular events provide stronger indications for the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). In the absence of these, the provider may turn to current guidelines, in this case the 2013 the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association published the 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular …

Brief Cognitive Screening Tools For Primary Care Practice, K Rhoads, Nancy B. Isenberg, L Korte

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairment presents as a critical issue facing primary and specialty care providers in Washington State. In order to address the gaps and challenges faced by providers, the Dementia Action Collaborative offers the current paper to provide information and guidance around early detection and diagnosis of memory loss and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. At the conclusion of this paper, providers should be able to identify indications and opportunities for detection, appropriate tools, and care pathways for individuals and families affected by cognitive impairment and dementia.

Barriers To Colorectal Cancer Screening Within A Rural Community In Ohio, Kristina Knoll

DNP Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a needs assessment within the primary care practice of ProMedica Family Medicine in Fostoria, OH. The needs assessment will specifically identify intentions and behaviors, attitudes and beliefs, subjective norms about behavioral control, and healthcare provider or healthcare system barriers related to colorectal cancer screening.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a survey among a convenience sample of patients who were 50 - 75 years of age and were not currently up-to-date with their colorectal cancer screening. In total, 222 patients were screened, 133 patients were determined to not be up-to-date, …

Gastrointestinal Bleeding Events And Statin Use: A Large Propensity Score-Matched Retrospective Cohort Study, Ashley I. Martinez

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Literature is conflicting regarding the association between statin use and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. This study sought to determine whether there is an association between statin use and GI bleeding by comparing incidence of gastrointestinal events between statin users and an active comparator group.

Data was obtained from a large administrative claims database composed of subjects enrolled in a selection of insurance plans throughout the United States from 2009-2014. New statin users (exposed) and thyroid medication users (active comparator, unexposed) were followed from the baseline period (one year prior to medication initiation) until first event, discontinuation, or disenrollment. Subjects were matched …

A Month At The Lake Clinic - Cambodia, Mara Horwitz

Posters

Describes a global health learning experience in Cambodia on floating clinics that serve residents of remote villages of the Tonie Sap Lake and Stung Sen River.

Tender Loving Care At The Lake Clinic, Cambodia, Shubra Srinivas

Posters

Describes a global health learning experience at The Lake Clinic in Cambodia caring for children and adults in a low resource setting in 2017.

Screening For Alcohol Use/Abuse In The Primary Care Setting Using The Audit-C And Sbirt (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral To Treatment), Whitney D. Spear

DNP Projects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of alcohol screening in the primary care setting to detect alcohol abuse or misuse using the AUDIT-C standardized screening tool and SBIRT.

METHODS: This study design was a Quasi-Experimental intervention, one group post-test. Data was collected via retrospective chart review from the electronic medical records by the type of office visit; either new patient initial visit or annual well visit. The patient sample consisted of 25 participants for the study period of September 19^th through October 10^th, 2017.

RESULTS: There were 37 patients eligible to participate …