Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

Transformative Learning: Changing Nurses’ Perceptions About People In Poverty, Jacqueline Debrew

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Background: Meaningful learning experiences with clients in poverty may help nursing students change their perceptions towards those experiencing poverty and, thus, provide unbiased, nonjudgmental care when they become nurses.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to understand what learning activities and experiences nursing students found meaningful and led to a change in prior perceptions of people in poverty.

Methods: Guided by Mezirow’s Theory of Transformative Learning, accelerated BSN students enrolled in a mental health nursing course (n = 14) were assigned reflective journals throughout the semester on their assigned clinical experiences, which were analyzed for emergent themes.

Results: …

Interdisciplinary Medication Reconciliation Approach For Arabic-Speaking Patients, Rebecca Rodman

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Limited English Proficiency (LEP), which includes Arabic speakers, presents challenges in healthcare and can impact medication reconciliation and adherence. Interdisciplinary collaboration involving patients and interpreters is crucial for improving medication reconciliation and adherence. This project aimed to examine the impact of an interdisciplinary medication reconciliation approach on medication adherence with Arabic-speaking patients ages 18-99 over three months.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) pilot project utilized a descriptive cohort design. A translated validated Morisky, Green, and Levine (MGL) adherence survey consisting of four questions was administered pre- and post-implementation to a convenience sample of Arabic-speaking patients 18 years …

Evaluation Of A Smoking Cessation Program In Primary Care, Yolanda Duncan-Watt

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: The adult tobacco smoking rate exceeds 12.5%. The problem is the insufficient attention given to smoking cessation education in low socioeconomic status(SES) communities. There is a lack of access to and awareness of smoking cessation programs for low-income populations.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) study will use a descriptive, observational approach. A retrospective medical record review will be conducted to determine the rate of individuals who got the smoking cessation intervention and the rate of those who successfully quit one month after the intervention. Data was collected throughout the spring of 2024, during primary care visits and phone …

Increasing Stroke Symptom Awareness In The Hispanic Community, Karina Barabash

DNP Projects

Ethnic and racial minorities are at higher risk for many health conditions including coronary artery disease and stroke (Mital et al., 2021). The Hispanic population specifically faces more risk factors, less knowledge of stroke symptoms, and higher probability of death and disability post stroke (Eisenstein et al., 2018). Unless this gap is addressed, ethnic and racial minority patients will continue to experience higher rates of death and disability from stroke, compared to non-Hispanic White patients. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to provide clinic-based stroke education in Spanish to Hispanic community members. The goal was to increase awareness of …

Role Of Hospital Leadership In Pandemic Preparedness: Experience At A Tertiary Hospital In Kenya During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lucy Wangari, William Macharia, Benjamin Wachira, Jemimah Kimeu, Boniface Mativa, Lukoye Atwoli

Emergency Medicine, East Africa

Introduction Pandemic preparedness refers to being ready for, responding to and recovering from public health crises, and is integral for health security. Hospital leadership is a critical building block of an effective healthcare system, providing policy, accountability and stewardship in a health crisis.

Objectives and methods We aimed to describe the leadership and governance structures put in place at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, a private not-for-profit tertiary healthcare facility, following the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed over 200 hospital documents archived in the COVID-19 repository including those received from the Kenya Ministry of Health, emails, memos, bulletins, meeting minutes, …

Implementing A Comprehensive Tobacco-Cessation Program For Patients With Tobacco Use Disorder, Jalen Eaton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Individuals who use tobacco are at an increased risk for the development of heart disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tobacco use is one of the most preventable causes of death in the world.

Purpose: The focus of the quality improvement project was to improve access to tobacco cessation resources in patients with tobacco use disorder at a primary care clinic.

Methods: Weekly stakeholder meetings were held to ensure the validity of the project. The plan, do, study, act (PDSA) model of continuous quality improvement guided the project. A comprehensive tobacco-cessation program including informational materials and …

Parental View On Hpv Vaccination, Rebecca Elaine Rhodes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection widely seen in the United States. Millions of Americans are affected by it each year, especially those in their late teens and early 20s. Although most infections will resolve on their own, 1 in 10 will lead to health problems such as cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of associated precancers and cancers. However, uptake of the HPV vaccine and its completion among adolescents are significantly lower than other recommended adolescent immunizations, falling short of the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% coverage. Understanding parental attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions …

A School-Based Asthma Initiative To Improve Student Self-Management Behaviors, Jenni R. Newland

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: In a Midwest public school system, students received robust academic education. Health education programs, specifically asthma management, were not offered. Over 400 elementary students with asthma lacked the knowledge and skills to effectively recognize and manage their asthma symptoms resulting in increased school clinic visits and absences, highlighting the urgent need for targeted intervention.

Aim of the Project: The aim of this project was to improve students’ asthma self-management skills by providing education based on the Open Airways for Schools (OAS) curriculum. Improving asthma self-management skills reduces student absences and time away from the classroom.

Review of Evidence: A …

A Quality Improvement Project To Reduce Facility-Acquired Pressure Injuries, Carolina Rosario

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Facility-acquired pressure injuries (FAPIs) pose significant risks to patient outcomes and healthcare costs ($500 to $70,000 per PI) in subacute rehabilitation (SAR) facilities. An assessment in a SAR identified a concerning pressure injury (PI) rate of 15.3%, exceeding the national benchmark of 10% for such facilities. This prompted an evidence-based quality improvement (QI) initiative.

Aim of the Project: This project aimed to reduce FAPI rates by 30% or greater among patients 65 and older using a PI prevention bundle called SSKINS (Skin, Surface, Keep moving, Incontinence/moisture, Nutrition/hydration, Self-management).

Review of the Evidence: A comprehensive literature review indicated that PIs …

The Role Of Procedural Justice In Alleviating The Stress Of Role Conflict An Applied Study On The Members Of The Nursing Staff At Tripoli Medical Hospital In Libya, Almokhtar Almajdoubi

Al Jinan الجنان

This study aims to study the fairness of the procedures and the stress of the role of the nursing staff in Tripoli Medical Hospital in Libya, and determine the relative importance of the fairness of the procedures and their relevance to the pressures of the role struggle. In the Tripoli Medical Hospital. The researcher concluded that there is no significant effect between the fairness of the procedures and the role conflict. The results also showed significant differences between the perceptions of the nursing staff for the justice of procedures due to the following demographic variables (gender, age, Level of education, …

عدوى المستشفيات, Afaf Taha

Al Jinan الجنان

Despite the progress in the medical fields and technologies used, and the use of a number of antibiotics to eliminate microorganisms that attack the human body, bacterial infections still a major cause of patient deaths. The irony is that hospitals patients turn to for hospitalization are the source of infection caused by microorganisms resistant to a number of antibiotics. The researcher discusses this problem and tells us that the hospital is an ideal place for transmitting pathogens because patients with similar diseases placed in closed groups and are in contact with health workers so that both become a hotbed for …

Lived Experiences, Perceptions, And Caregiving Trajectories Of Family Caregivers Of Youth With Substance Use Disorders (Suds) In Zambia, Ireen Manase Kabembo

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

There is unequivocal evidence that family caregivers contribute to healthcare systems worldwide by providing care for persons with chronic illnesses in the home setting. his study explores the lived experiences, perceptions, and caregiving trajectories of 30 family caregivers of youth aged 16-24 diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in Zambia. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, a caregiving timeline, and participant observation and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Guided by the integrated theoretical framework of positioning theory and the theory of caregiving dynamics, this study offers a new lens for understanding caregiver’s experiences regarding caregiver identity, self-perceptions, interpersonal relationships, …

The Cost Of Long-Term Care In The Mountain West, 2023, Madison Dwyer, Freddy Nie, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet examines data on the cost of long-term care for the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah from the Genworth “Cost of Care Survey.” Data on long-term care includes home health care, adult day health care facilities, licensed assisted living facilities, and certified and licensed nursing homes.

Advanced Practice Nursing Initiatives In Africa, Moving Towards The Nurse Practitioner Role: Experiences From The Field, Deborah C. Gray, Melanie Rogers, Minna K. Miller

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

AIM: This paper discusses the development and progression of the advanced practice nurse practitioner role in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Providing adequate primary health care is problematic in Africa. The World Health Organization and International Council of Nurses proposed that nurses, specifically advanced practice nurse practitioners with the requisite skills in disease prevention, diagnosis and management, can be key to solving the primary care issue.

SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: This paper utilized publications from PUBMED, CINAHL, policy papers, websites, workgroups, conferences, and the experiences and knowledge of authors involved in leading and moving forward key events and projects.

DISCUSSION: Four African countries have …

Triaging Your Health Concerns, James Bato Borja, Jasleen Mendoza, Addie Mccuistion, Jordan Artz, Julia Greeley, Ashley Diloreto

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Improving Health Literacy on Appropriate Use of Medical Services

As part of a nursing leadership project, a team of nursing students at Seattle Pacific University (SPU) collaborated with a Washington State affordable independent living facility for seniors; they focused on providing information on the appropriate use of emergency care, urgent care, and primary care services for various health concerns. This project began with a team member recognizing a pattern within the older adult population entering the Emergency Department (ED). This observation showed that a noticeable portion of the older adult population could benefit from clarification about when to seek out …

Coming Alongside Women Experiencing Homelessness, Alexis Dang, Brianna Cowan, Tashayla Braxton, Ellen Jacobs, Elizabeth Cortes, Erin Smith

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Coming Alongside Women Experiencing Homelessness

Executive Summary

Six nursing students attending Seattle Pacific University (SPU), partnered with a women’s day center to provide and support healthcare needs for a leadership project. During the first few weeks of being at the shelter, we visited the agency site to get a better understanding of the population and have a greater idea of what the focus problems should be. Our assessments consisted of a windshield survey, in-person observations, and conversations with the shelter director, staff, and women to identify barriers within their healthcare services. We further gathered assessment information from our instructor, who …

Addressing Farm Safety: Farm Safety Dinner Theaters In The Shenandoah Valley, Tammy Kiser, Michelle Seekford, Jeremy Daubert

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Statistics demonstrate that farm safety and wellness issues affect all ages in the agricultural community. However, an increased proportion of youth and older farm workers comprise the highest rates of farm-related morbidity and mortality. Engaging farmers in increasing safe practices in the agricultural community is an important, ongoing challenge.

Methodology

Farm Safety Dinner Theaters, an initiative created through community-based participatory research (CBPR) at the University of Kentucky, provide a relaxed environment where farmers and their families can identify safety and wellness issues, watch as the actors process these issues, and enjoy a meal. Seeing the situations played out in theater …

Enhancing Community Engagement: Perspectives From Researchers, Community Members, And Service Providers, Anne-Marie O'Brien, Elyssa Wood

Virginia Journal of Public Health

Purpose: Compare and contrast perspectives from Research Team Members (RT), Community Members (CM) and Service Providers/Others (SP/O) about barriers and facilitators to community engagement and participation in health research.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey study with a convenience sample of adults who lived and/or worked in the Commonwealth of Virginia was conducted between May and July 2022. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were conducted to identify similarities and differences across the three stakeholder groups.

Results: A total of 303 participants were involved in this study. In general RTs, CMs and SP/Os were similar in their responses to perceived barriers and …

Using Gerontechnology For Care Transition Conversations In Senior Living, Roschelle L. Fritz, Catherine Van Son, Chris Veloicaza, Stephanie Soriano, Gabrielle Barling

ICHRIE Research Reports

Every day across the United States, thousands of senior living organizations assist with housing transition decisions for older adults experiencing health-related changes. These decisions impact resources for older adults and senior housing corporations, yet these decisions are based primarily on subjective observational data regarding older adults’ changes in function or cognition. Smart homes offering continuous, unobtrusive health monitoring with artificial intelligence capabilities are emerging as solutions offering health maintenance support and objective functional and health information. Such systems are well-positioned to support hospitality staff conversing with residents about transitioning from independent to assisted living. Our interdisciplinary nursing research and hospitality …

Supporting South Korea’S Aging Population: How Ai And Iot Acceptance Connects The Young And Old, Bobby Im

Master's Projects and Capstones

In 2024, South Korea surpassed every other nation by becoming the country with the lowest fertility rate (below 0.7%). Population decline will hinder future ability to care for their aging population and although the government and private corporations are investing millions of dollars on developing Artificial Intelligence-Internet of Things (AI-IoT) devices to support the aging, the acceptance levels and the amount of family support required is undervalued. By examining AI-IoT’s current use and role in South Korea’s public health system this paper shows how intergenerational support helps optimize existing procedures and equipment, increases the level of acceptance and use, and …

Application Of Lymphedema Education Toolkit For Nurse Coordinators, Julian K. Miranda

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: There is approximately one in five breast cancer survivors affected by breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a potentially debilitating condition affecting the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being of individuals. Context: This Quality Improvement (QI) project was conducted at an outpatient facility of Hospital X’s Women’s Cancer Center. Within this microsystem, there are 24 permanent clinical nurse coordinators and advanced practice providers, with 15 nurse coordinators dedicated to care for patients with breast cancer or gynecological conditions. Intervention: The intervention aims to evaluate if a standardized educational tool improves early interventions for patients with lymphedema and knowledge among healthcare providers …

Let's Talk About Sex & Prep: District 2 Does!, Chrissa M. Shaffer

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Defining what a PrEP Service Program entails and how it could benefit your district or county health center. Discussing methods that have been used to set up PrEP Services within a district – including training, resources, and promotion. Identifying the challenges and working through them. Reviewing the results of the PrEP Services over the past year, and the ongoing goals to encourage and increase our PrEP Services.

Utilizing Decision Tree Implementation And Provider Education To Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Orders: A Quality Improvement Project, Alicia Kollar

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Background and Significance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths (Jain, et al., 2022). Healthy People 2030 objectives include reducing the CRC death rate and increasing the proportion of adults who get screened (Healthy People 2030, n.d.). According to 2021 data, only 58.7% of adults are screened with a Healthy People target of 68.3%. Healthy People states that there are effective screening tools to detect colorectal cancer early, and people are more likely to survive it (Healthy People 2030, n.d.). Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project aims to implement an …

Barriers, Facilitators, And Competencies In Advocating For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities With Health Disparities, Carol Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Nurses working in the specialty of intellectual disabilities are positioned to advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities and other health disparities. This study explored nurses’ perceived competencies, barriers, and facilitators when advocating for improved health status in adult patients with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: Twenty-five nurses working in the specialty of intellectual disabilities were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Barriers identified in advocacy were: Funding, Communication, Negative Perceptions and Misperceptions, Lack of access, and Diagnostic Overshadowing. Nurses were also facilitated in advocating for improved health status in people with intellectual disabilities. Facilitators …

Impact Of An Electronic Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Catch-Up Module For Women With Criminal-Legal System Involvement, Shawana Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cervical cancer can often be prevented with targeted strategies such as Pap smear screenings and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, now also recommended for those aged 27-45 who have not received the vaccine previously. However, women involved in the criminal-legal system often miss out on primary and secondary prevention measures and are at increased risk for the development of cervical cancer caused by HPV. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an electronic HPV catch-up module for women in the criminal-legal system aged 27-45. The study, guided by the Health Belief Model, …

Addressing Stroke Care Disparities Through Patient Education, Christina Annerino

Honors Capstones

It has been found across current studies and evaluations of stroke care and patient outcomes that there is a disparity in disability and mortality between male and female patients who have experienced stroke. The aforementioned studies did not identify the cause of this disparity, although a number of hypotheses for this phenomenon were provided. This study then conducted a preliminary survey of 130 participants, both men and women, aged 18-80 years old, to evaluate potential barriers to accessing stroke care and receiving treatment effectively. Preliminary survey data demonstrated consistent gaps in knowledge related to stroke risks, stroke symptoms, and when …

Addressing Air Quality Mitigation As A Key Factor In Asthma Management And Prevention, Julia Buckles, Jewel Radford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Asthma is the most prevalent disease in childhood and disproportionately affects African American (AA) populations in terms of prevalence and frequency of exacerbations. Air quality and environmental factors are strongly associated with the diagnosis and management of asthma and AA children are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality. An air quality flag program was implemented in a daycare located in a county with a predominantly AA population with a high prevalence of asthma diagnoses. The goal of the intervention was to increase staff awareness of air quality and the impact it can have on asthma diagnosis …

Increasing Oral Health In A Midwest Elementary School: Quality Improvement Project, Dee Young

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Marginalized communities experience barriers to accessing oral healthcare in the United States (US). Due to this, many children are left to use the emergency department (ED) for dental care. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve oral health services access in children at one suburban Midwest elementary school. The objectives of this project were: a) to improve the efficiency of students registering in Fall 2023 to access available oral health exam services, b) to increase the number of students who receive an oral health exam compared to the number in the previous school year. …

Community Healthcare Workers (Chw) High-Risk Stabilization Study: Does The Ability Of Chws At Mobile Covid Clinics To Link Patients With Uncontrolled Diabetes To A Physician Improve Short Term Outcomes?, Mo Hadaya, Venkateswar Venkataraman, Jaimy D. Jabon, Kenneth W. Stagliano, Richard T. Jermyn

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Uncontrolled diabetes may cause preventable but significant effects. One major preventative measure is early screening; there are hopes that community healthcare workers can increase awareness and screening availability, especially in underserved populations. We hosted and recorded logs of patients at mobile COVID health clinics, educating those with uncontrolled diabetes and connecting them to healthcare. We then looked to see if any patients had improvements in blood glucose to non-diabetic levels. 378 patients were logged, but only 138 were in events that had a significant amount of repeat visits. Twenty-five of them had blood sugar indicative of uncontrolled diabetes. Out of …

Primary Care Access In San Luis Obispo County- Primary Care Practitioner’S Perspectives, Jessica Peckham

Doctoral Projects

This study investigates healthcare access and utilization among Primary Care Providers (PCPs) in SLO County, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. Survey responses from PCPs when applied to Levesque’s Theoretical Framework reveal variations in provider approachability and acceptability, alongside significant wait times for both new and established patients, indicating barriers in healthcare reaching. Qualitative interviews further illuminated dimensions of healthcare access, including socioeconomic disparities and provider burnout. These underscore the complexities of ensuring equitable access to primary care services. The relationship between provider and consumer dimensions, such as work-life balance, workload, and the role of advanced practice providers, highlight the intricate dynamics …