Health Policy Commons^™

Unveiling The Silent Specter: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Silent Sinus Syndrome, Deepak Benny Dr, Sudha Kiran Das Dr, Shwetha R. Poojary Dr, Priyanshi Tapadia

Radiology Teaching Files

A 42-year-old individual presented to the outpatient clinic with subtle facial asymmetry noted over the past year, primarily characterized by a progressive, painless sinking of the right eye (enophthalmos). The patient reported a history of mild, intermittent nasal obstruction but no acute sinus infections, significant nasal discharge, or facial pain. Despite these mild symptoms, the patient expressed concern over the noticeable change in facial appearance and occasional double vision, which prompted a visit to the clinic.The patient described a gradual onset of the right eye appearing "sunken" without any preceding trauma, infection, or significant weight loss. Initially dismissed as a …

Pericallosal Lipoma Unveiled: A Rare Case Of Incidental Discovery And Its Clinical Implications, Deepak Benny Dr, Sachin P. Shetty Dr, Kavitha B. C Dr, Sinchana N Dr

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report delves into the incidental finding of a pericallosal lipoma during routine neuroimaging conducted for non-specific neurological symptoms. It provides a detailed examination of the lipoma's radiological features, outlines the clinical significance of such findings, and discusses the management approach adopted, including considerations for surgical intervention versus conservative monitoring. The report further explores the implications of incidental pericallosal lipomas on patient outcomes, emphasizing the need for awareness among clinicians about this rare condition and the importance of individualized patient care strategies in the context of such incidental neuroimaging discoveries.

Emerging Mania In Young Adulthood: A Case Report Of Idiopathic Fahr's Syndrome Unveiling Neuropsychiatric Dimensions, Deepak Benny Dr, Shwetha R. Poojary Dr, Kavya B. T Dr, Sudha Kiran Das Dr.

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report outlines the diagnosis and management of an 18-year-old male presenting with first episode mania, attributed to idiopathic Fahr's Syndrome. Despite having no significant past medical or psychiatric history, the patient exhibited classic manic symptoms alongside grandiose delusions. Notably, CT imaging revealed brain calcifications characteristic of Fahr's Syndrome, absent metabolic disturbances commonly associated with the disorder. This case underscores the clinical complexity of Fahr's Syndrome, illustrating its potential to manifest primarily with psychiatric symptoms and the importance of integrating neuroimaging in the psychiatric evaluation to uncover underlying neurological disorders.

Pulmonary Infarction, Manu Chaudhary Dr, Sachin P. Shetty Dr, Sinchana N Dr

Radiology Teaching Files

68 years old female presented with breathlessness and chest pain to EMD, on clinical examination her saturation was low and D-Dimer levels were significantly elevated raising the possibility of pulmonary thromboembolism. Further the patient was referred for chest radiograph and CT thorax with contrast for better evaluation and was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism with pulmonary infarct. The patient was treated for the same.

An Uncommon Culprit In Sma Syndrome: Navigating Through Duodenal Adenocarcinoma-Induced Obstruction, Deepak Benny Dr, Vikram Patil, Shrisagar R A

Radiology Teaching Files

Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome is an infrequent vascular compression disorder, characterized predominantly by the extrinsic obstruction of the third part of the duodenum by the SMA, leading to a spectrum of gastrointestinal symptoms. While most commonly associated with rapid weight loss and anatomical variations, its occurrence in the context of adjacent malignancies remains exceedingly rare and clinically significant.

Here I detail a compelling case of a 49-year-old male, initially presenting with nonspecific symptoms of intermittent abdominal pain and vomiting. The diagnostic journey, propelled by computed tomography (CT) and subsequent investigations, unveiled an underlying duodenal adenocarcinoma exerting extrinsic pressure, precipitating …

Maine Provider Attitudes Towards Contingency Management For Substance Use Disorders, Evelyn Ali, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

This report summarizes healthcare provider attitudes toward Contingency Management (CM), including barriers and facilitators to its implementation. A 17-question electronic survey, including the Contingency Management Beliefs Questionnaire (CMBQ), was distributed to providers across Maine. Of 131 eligible respondents, 80% reported treating SUD, yet only 27% had experience with CM. While training and organizational support were cited as barriers, overall attitudes toward CM were favorable. Providers expressed strong willingness to implement CM, citing its potential to engage clients and support treatment adherence. The report concludes that positive perceptions of CM outweigh concerns and suggests that training and organizational support could enhance …

Treatment And Recovery Beliefs Of Rural Vermont Family Members Of People With Opioid Use Disorder, Kate Peasley-Miklus Phd, Julia Shaw Mph, Katie Rosingana Ba, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, S. Sigmon, Sarah H Heil Phd, J. Jewiss, Andrea C Villanti, Valerie S Harder

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

Purpose: Few studies have addressed beliefs about treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) among family members of people with OUD, particularly in rural communities. This study examined the beliefs of rural family members of people with OUD regarding treatment, including medication for OUD (MOUD), and recovery. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with rural Vermont family members of people with OUD. Twenty family members completed interviews, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four primary themes related to beliefs about OUD treatment emerged: (1) MOUD is another form of addiction or dependency and should be used short-term; (2) essential …

Healthy Acadia Downeast Community Opioid Response Program: Year 3 Summary, Tyler Egeland Ba, Gordon Mcintire Ba, Evelyn Ali, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

The Downeast Substance Treatment Network is a group of diverse organizations working to improve integration and access to treatments and services for people with substance use disorder. The consortium’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant project aims to: (1) expand the reach of their treatment network, (2) increase awareness and practice of harm reduction, and (3) facilitate transitions of care to improve partner efficacy. This project included a mixed-methods evaluation led by Catherine E. Cutler Institute’s Substance Use Research and Evaluation Team (SURE). This final year 3 summary presentation includes feedback from program partners, key informants, and program clients, in …

Qualitative Brief: Perspectives On Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Access And Engagement From Rural Family Members And People In Treatment, Katie Rosingana Ba, Evelyn Ali Mph, Tyler Egelund Ba, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Kate Peasley-Miklus Phd, J. Shaw

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

"This qualitative data brief provides findings from the Vermont baseline needs assessment, conducted in collaboration with research staff at the University of Southern Maine's Catherine Cutler Institute, with the goal to identify current and future opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment needs and barriers in rural Vermont. This data brief aims to identify current and future addiction treatment needs and barriers in Vermont with direct input from practitioners, community partners, and people impacted personally by opioid use. Preceptions included in this data brief are informed by semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with family members of people with lived experience (PWLE). For more …

Time To Ask Program At Redington-Fairview General Hospital: Summary Of Participant Feedback, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Tyler Egeland Ba, Evelyn Ali Bs

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

The goals of the Time to Ask (TTA) education and quality improvement program are to increase the capacity of the interprofessional care team to effectively, efficiently and compassionately discuss alcohol use with their patients through screening, brief intervention, and referral (SBIRT) as well as to expand regular screening and monitoring of unhealthy alcohol use at the practices. This infographic is a summary of a participant feedback following the TTA program at Redington-Fairview General Hospital. For more information, please contact Lindsey Smith at [email protected]

Healthy Acadia Downeast Community Opioid Response Program: Year 2 Summary, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Evelyn Ali Bs, Katie Rosingana Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

The Downeast Substance Treatment Network is a group of diverse organizations working to improve integration and access to treatments and services for people with substance use disorder. The consortium’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant project aims to: (1) expand the reach of their treatment network, (2) increase awareness and practice of harm reduction, and (3) facilitate transitions of care to improve partner efficacy. This project included a mixed-methods evaluation led by Catherine E. Cutler Institute’s Substance Use Research and Evaluation Team (SURE). This year 2 summary presentation includes feedback from program partners, key informants, and program clients, in addition …

The Rural Health Action Network Enhanced Outreach Initiative: Year 2 Interim Evaluation Report, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Evelyn Ali Bs, Tyler Egeland Ba, Katie Rosingana Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

Healthy Community Coalition (HCC), in coordination with the Rural Health Action Network (RHAN) of greater Franklin County, is implementing a multi-faceted outreach program to improve health outcomes among the rural poor living with chronic conditions in greater Franklin County, Maine. The goals of the Franklin County Rural Health Action Network Enhanced Outreach Initiative (RHAN-EOI) include: (1) Expand access to quality services; (2) Expand training for community health extenders; (3) Decrease hospital admissions, emergency department use, and costs; and (4) Improve communication and care coordination across project partners. This report highlights the implementation and progress of HCC RHAN in Year 2. …

Boiling Behind Bars: Exploring The Hidden Toll Of Extreme Heat On Mental Health In Texas Prisons, Sandra K. Miller

Social Work Theses - Archive

The State of Texas supports the largest prison system in the US and held 132,859 people in 100 units scattered across the state as of December 2023. Approximately 70% of Texas prison beds are not air conditioned, despite the state’s reputation for dangerously hot, humid summers. The State has officially recorded temperatures inside Texas prison facilities as high as 120 degrees with heat index values of over 150. Although there is a growing body of research on the negative physiological and psychological consequences of extreme heat among the general public, little is known about the physical and emotional toll of …

Building Sustainable Community-Academic Partnerships While Implementing A Nutrition-Based Blackberry Garden Program At A Senior Center, Dawn Brewer, Annie Koempel, Abbey L. Moellering, Tammy Stephenson, Amy Kostelic, Julie Plasencia, Alexis Sheffield, Ben Guerrant, Alethia Price

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Due to limited access to and low consumption of fruits and vege- tables, older adults are at increased risk of worsening or developing chronic diseases. This paper describes a community-academic partnership that provides a sustainable source of blackberries to attendees of a rural senior center. Qualitative research evaluated the partnership following implementation of a blackberry program. Focus groups and interviews included partners from a senior cen- ter, Cooperative Extension Service, and a detention center. Main themes: group power dynamics influenced communication between research and community leadership teams; unexpected project barriers emerged; and community leadership team sug- gested strategies to promote …

Effectiveness Of Harm Reduction And Narcan Education For Young Adults, Jason Bolfango

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Education on the Harm Reduction Model is an upstream preventative approach to addressing the opioid crisis and a strategic method to promote safety among young adults.

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 …

Variability In Perceptions Of Complementary Health Approaches Among Graduate Student Trainees, Delaney C. Bilodeau

Theses and Dissertations

Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) encompass a diverse range of practices which are often used both independently and alongside conventional medical treatments. Understanding how graduate students training in different fields perceive CHAs is important because these professional trainees will go on to occupy roles as healthcare practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and consumers. This study used sequential rank agreement methods (Ekstrøm, Gerds, & Jensen, 2019) to investigate variations in perceptions of CHAs in a sample of graduate students (N = 416) from 140 possible training programs. Ratings of CHA familiarity, perceptions of CHA legitimacy, and willingness to recommend CHAs were compared …

Cigarette Smoking Behaviors And Nicotine Dependence At The Intersection Of Sexual Identity And Sex In The United States: Findings From The National Survey On Drug Use And Health, Ollie Ganz, Jonathan A. Schulz, Sarah J. Ehlke, Jessica L. King Jensen, Andrea C. Villanti

Psychology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is disproportionately high among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults. Yet, collapsing these identities into a monolith can disguise important within group disparities (e.g., lesbian/gay versus bisexual female). The purpose of this study is to report recent national prevalence estimates and trends of cigarette smoking behaviors and nicotine dependence by sexual identity and sex. Methods: Data were from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 210,392; adults 18+), a nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional study of substance use and mental health in the U.S. We examined bivariate and multivariable associations between sexual identity and …

Étude De La Gestion De La Crise Sanitaire Liée À La Covid-19 Pour Soutenir La Transition Vers De Nouvelles Organisations Du Travail Dans Le Secteur De L’Administration Publique, Bénédicte Calvet, Martin Chadoin, Maud Gonella, Élise Ledoux, Denys Denis, Isabelle Berger

Rapports de recherche scientifique

La pandémie de la COVID-19 a surpris la population générale et a largement touché les milieux de travail qui ont dû se réorganiser. De nombreuses personnes se sont retrouvées en situation de télétravail imposé alors que d’autres, les travailleurs et travailleuses dits « essentiels » ont dû se conformer à de nombreuses restrictions sanitaires sur leur lieu de travail. Face à l’urgence, plusieurs guides et outils ont été diffusés auprès des entreprises de plusieurs secteurs d’activité économique, afin de les soutenir dans la mise en place de mesures en santé et en sécurité du travail (SST) conformes au contexte pandémique, …

Nursing Care During Natural Disasters, War Zones, And Mass Casualty Incidents: Implications For An Educational And Professional Overhaul, Erin N. White

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Emergency situations around the world are inevitable. Any nurse who practices for any period of time is sure to encounter situations like these. Their hospital may be flooded with traumatic and severely life-threatening patient cases where supplies can become scarce. In these situations, a nurse and all other healthcare personnel are expected to act effectively, efficiently and in a highly organized way. Despite this need, many hospitals fail to implement effective disaster preparedness programs and plans. This leaves healthcare workers at a loss for how to treat patients, communicate within and outside of the hospital, coordinate transport, and all the …

Health Consequences Of Racial Disparity In Access To Abortion: A Systematic Review, Lacy M. Frye, Calvin Odhiambo

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

Prior to the 2022 Dobbs decision, Black women already experienced negative maternal health outcomes at an alarmingly disparate rate in comparison to White women. Given that the Dobbs decision emboldens state power to enforce abortion restrictions or protections, there has been significant strides made in both directions. Nonetheless, within states where reproductive rights have been significantly eroded, the heightened abortion restrictions may compound the limited access that Black women previously had before Dobbs. This, in turn will exacerbate the already disparate negative maternal outcomes that Black women experience. However, research on the relationship between the lack of access to abortion …

Patterns Into Pathways For Improving Safety Culture: Refined Latent Class Analysis Informs Tailored Decision Support For South Carolina Dss Safety Culture Improvements, Michaela Voit

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The rising prevalence of exposures to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) demands a coordinated public health response, as a significant body of research details the cumulative impact of ACEs on chronic morbidities contributing to reduced life expectancy. Child welfare workers (CWW) are embedded in this public health effort, tasked with preventing and mitigating the impacts of ACEs through family and prevention services. The National Partnership for Child Safety (NPCS) may improve the wellbeing of CWWs and the effectiveness of Child Welfare (CW) services by improving the quality of safety culture within CW organizations. To inform NPCS quality improvement efforts, our project …

Different Cohort, Disparate Results: Selection Bias Is A Key Factor In Autopsy Cohorts, Kathryn Gauthreaux, Walter A. Kukull, Karin B. Nelson, Charles Mock, Yen-Chi Chen, Kwun C. G. Chan, David W. Fardo, Yuriko Katsumata, Erin L. Abner, Peter T. Nelson

Neurology Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Research-oriented autopsy cohorts provide critical insights into dementia pathobiology. However, different studies sometimes report disparate findings, partially because each study has its own recruitment biases. We hypothesized that a straightforward metric, related to the percentage of research volunteers cognitively normal at recruitment, would predict other inter-cohort differences.

METHODS: The National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) provided data on N = 7178 autopsied participants from 28 individual research centers. Research cohorts were grouped based on the proportion of participants with normal cognition at initial clinical visit.

RESULTS: Cohorts with more participants who were cognitively normal at recruitment contained more individuals who …

How Should Focus Be Shifted From Individual Preference To Collective Wisdom For Patients At The End Of Life With Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections?, Jeannie P. Cimiotti, Kimberly Adams Tufts, Lucia D. Wocial, Elizabeth Peter

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Despite growth in numbers of organizational antimicrobial stewardship programs, antimicrobial resistance continues to escalate. Interprofessional education and collaboration are needed to make these programs appropriately responsive to the ethically and clinically complex needs of patients at the end of life whose care plans still require antimicrobial management.

Highlighting The Importance Of Advocacy, Policy, And Legislation In Occupational Therapy, Victoria Maichel

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

"A Double-Edged Sword": A Brief History Of Genomic Data Governance And Genetic Researcher Perspectives On Data Sharing, Kayte Spector-Bagdady, Kerry A Ryan, Amy L Mcguire, Chris D Krenz, M Grace Trinidad, Kaitlyn Jaffe, Amanda Greene, J Denard Thomas, Madison Kent, Stephanie Morain, David Wilborn, J Scott Roberts

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

As the federal government continues to expand upon and improve its data sharing policies over the past 20 years, complex challenges remain. Our interviews with U.S. academic genetic researchers (n=23) found that the burden, translation, industry limitations, and consent structure of data sharing remain major governance challenges.

Patient Satisfaction Among Saudi Academic Hospitals: A Systematic Review, Ahmed Ali Alasiri, Saad A. Alotaibi, Eric Schussler

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Purpose: To systematically review the patient's satisfaction (PS) levels within academic hospitals in Saudi Arabia from January 2012 to the end of October 2022.

Data Sources: Articles were gathered from PubMed, ProQuest, Google Scholar and Web of Science.

Study selection/data extraction: This review identified studies that assessed PS in Saudi Arabian university hospitals. Articles published before January 2012, as well as commentary letters, conference papers, theses and dissertations, were excluded. The study employed the five domains of PS as outlined by Boquiren et al. Two independent reviewers independently identified qualifying studies, used the Joanna Briggs Institute tools …

Beyond Borders: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of International Migrant Women In Nigeria, A Deep Dive Into Healthcare Realities And Utilization, Juliet Nwafor, Rowland Edet, Ezebunwa Nwokoch

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

This study explored access to and utilization of healthcare facilities among migrant women in an urban slum community in Nigeria, focusing on factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviors and the implications for public health interventions. A qualitative case study-oriented research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 21 migrant women of reproductive age and 4 key informant interviews with healthcare workers in the Ayobo community of Lagos State, Nigeria. Data collection occurred from June to September 2018, and thematic analysis was used to interpret the findings. Three main themes emerged: living conditions, pattern of healthcare utilization, and factors influencing accessibility and utilization …

Political Prioritization For Digital Health And Health Equity Through Global Health Diplomacy, Vijay Kumar Chattu, Sujatha Alla, Bawa Singh

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

[Introduction] We have found the article "Digital health and health equity: How digital health can address healthcare disparities and improve access to quality care in Africa" published in the recent issue to be very relevant and interesting.¹ Qoseem et al have highlighted that there is a great need for continuous advocacy for strengthening the health systems through telehealth promotion and increasing access to healthcare services to achieve health equity.

Advocacy Spotlight: Telehealth Regulations For Dentistry Established, Neema Katibai Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article discusses the rise of telehealth in the last three years and its implications for dentistry, focusing on recent rulemaking by the Michigan Board of Dentistry. The regulations address key aspects such as definitions, informed consent, scope of practice, and prescribing medications. Dentists must comply with HIPAA and state/federal privacy regulations when using telehealth. Notably, the rules restrict teledentistry delegation to allied personnel after an in-person visit within 24 months. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding and following these regulations for legal telehealth use, reimbursement, and malpractice coverage. The Michigan Dental Association advocates for sensible teledentistry laws to …