Interprofessional Education Commons^™

Probiotics In Clinical Practice: Mechanisms, Applications, And Evidence-Based-Use, Christopher Dimatteo

Capstone Showcase

Probiotics, are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in the right amounts, have gained attention as potential therapies for a range of conditions. This article examines the current understanding of probiotics, focusing on how they work, the conditions they might help manage, and the challenges that come with probiotic use. Research shows that probiotics can support gut health by balancing the microbiome, strengthening the intestinal barrier, and influencing the immune system. They have shown promise in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and some inflammatory disorders. However, their effectiveness depends on the specific strain used, and …

Problem-Based Learning And Artificial Intelligence, Varna Taranikanti, Srineil Vuthaluru

Books and Book Chapters

In the current digital era, significant advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have influenced various fields worldwide, particularly within the health professional education sector. This progress has also percolated into the medical education system, where Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is routinely used as a key pedagogical strategy. In PBL, students are able to fully exert their exploratory skills by solve problems through a student-centered learning approach. PBL also fosters critical thinking and encourages self-directed learning through the inquiry of clinical case scenarios. This chapter investigates the integration of AI, specifically tools like ChatGPT, into PBL frameworks to enhance learning outcomes for medical …

Improving Safe And Effective Management Of Pain At Home, Alayna V. Olivarez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Pain is the most common clinical symptom in individuals with a cancer diagnosis. Additionally, home is the preferred place for cancer care which introduces numerous challenges for cancer pain management. The primary purpose of this literature review is to identify support interventions to enhance pain control, prevent exacerbations in pain, and optimize quality of life in individuals with cancer transitioning from the acute care setting to home. The secondary purpose of this review is to analyze patient-specific barriers influencing self-efficacy of pain management and overall health outcomes in the target population. A systematic literature search was conducted using CINAHL, EBSCOhost, …

A Nurse-Driven Protocol To Increase Music Therapy Referrals To Manage Patient Pain And Anxiety In The Medicine Intensive Care Unit, Ashley Fox

DNP Projects

Background: Critically ill patients often suffer from pain and anxiety. Music therapy is a safe and effective treatment option. However, most nurses never receive education or training on it, resulting in a lack of awareness of its value and its actual usage in care.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to increase the number of music therapy referrals to manage pain and anxiety in eligible medicine intensive care unit (MICU) patients via a music therapy protocol that increased nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to the use of music as an alternative treatment option for pain and anxiety in …

Navigating Sexual And Gender Diversity: A Quality Improvement Project To Increase Provider Cultural Competencies For Sexual And Gender Minorities In Mental Health Outpatient Facilities, Shermeen Chandani

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations experience healthcare disparities related to stigma, discrimination, and limited provider cultural competency. In outpatient psychiatric settings, non-affirming practices can negatively affect patient engagement, trust, and continuity of care. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance staff sexual and gender minority cultural competency (SGMCC) and strengthen affirming clinical processes.

Background: The project was implemented across two outpatient psychiatric clinics with approximately 28 multidisciplinary staff members. At baseline, no formal SGM cultural competency training or standardized documentation practices for preferred names and pronouns existed.

Methodology: A Plan–Do–Study–Act framework with a pre/post-test design was used. The …

Learning Dissemination Strategies: Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic In Training Healthcare Professionals In Disease Management, Kishan Vishanagra

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges for global healthcare systems, requiring rapid training and dissemination of disease management strategies among healthcare professionals. This study conducts a systematic review of 37 studies to examine the learning dissemination methods created and utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on just-in-time training for disease management. This study identifies four core training topics: airway management, infection control, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and patient triage. This study also categorizes delivery methods into in-situ simulation-based training, online e-learning platforms, online simulation-based training, and hybrid training models. Findings highlight that simulation-based training methods proved effective for invasive high-risk procedures, while …

Increasing Serious Illness Conversations In Patients At High Risk Of One-Year Mortality Using Improvement Science: A Quality Improvement Study, Kanishk D. Sharma, Sandip A. Godambe, Prachi P. Chavan, Agatha Parks-Savage, Marissa Galicia-Castillo

Department of Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Serious illness conversation (SIC) in an important skillset for clinicians. A review of mortality meetings from an urban academic hospital highlighted the need for early engagement in SICs and advance care planning (ACP) to align medical treatments with patient-centered outcomes. The aim of this study was to increase SICs and their documentation in patients with low one-year survival probability identified by updated Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores. Methods: This was a quality improvement study with data collected pre- and post-intervention at a large urban level one trauma center in Virginia, which also serves as a primary teaching hospital to …

Team Science In Interdisciplinary Health Professions Education Research: A Multi-Institutional Case Study, Peggy Gesing, Joni Tornwall, Violet Kulo, Sarah Mcbrien, Thuha Hoang, Hyun-Jin Jun, Amanda Burbage, Yuane Jia, Christina Cestone

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

The interdisciplinary nature of health professions education requires exploration of problems by interdisciplinary research teams. Drawing on the Dynamics of Cross-disciplinary Research Development conceptual framework, this study explores the processes and experiences of an interdisciplinary research team, identifying elements of successful collaboration. Case study data were collected from a team of nine researchers from six universities. Data included meeting minutes and researcher reflections. Researcher reflection and meeting minute themes converged within the framework constructs: Contexts and inputs, social learning processes, social capital outcomes, and knowledge and human capital outcomes. This study provides a blueprint for interdisciplinary researchers indicating that successful …

Inside The Circle 2025: Exploring The Ontario Cpe Supervisors' Lived Experience Of The Interpersonal Relations Group Process Portion Of Cpe, Kelly L. Collins

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This research used a philosophical phenomenological (primarily Gadamer) methodology and asked the question, “What is the lived experience of Ontario Clinical Psychospiritual Education (CPE) Supervisors in the Interpersonal Relationships (IPR) group process portion of CPE?” It used a 90-minute, semi-structured interview format as it sought to understand the supervisor experience of safety in the group. 11 Ontario Certified Supervisors were interviewed and explored this question in relationship to participant supervisors’ experience as students and/or as educators. In the history of CPE, there has been significant harm done to students by some supervisors who were well-meaning, but unaware of their impact …

Exploring The Perception Of Learning Environment Among Undergraduate Medical Students In South India – A Cross-Sectional Study, Suba A, Suma S, Shobana R, Abeetha S, Chitra M, Shruthy K M

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The term "learning environment" refers to the combined social, physical, and psychological context in which the students learn. While a dismissive environment can lead to stress and burnout, a supportive environment enhances professionalism and academic success. Students' perceptions of the medical school learning environment might vary significantly depending on their age, gender, kind of institution and based on their academic year. Comprehending the disparities in perceptions towards the educational setting related to the above said variations may aid in devising interventions that promote favourable experiences for medical students. This study aimed to assess perception of learning environment by South …

Educating Staff On Effective Ways To Improve Medication Discharge Instructions In Emergency Departments (Ed): A Quality Improvement Project, Isabelle L. Kuhn

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Emergency Departments (EDs) serve a vital role in treating acute conditions, yet they face challenges in ensuring patients understand discharge instructions, particularly those related to medications. Approximately 70% of ED patients demonstrate deficits in at least one discharge domain, including medication understanding. Limited health literacy, time constraints, and rushed environments contribute to these gaps. Improving discharge communication is critical to reduce medication errors and prevent avoidable readmissions.

Local Problem: In a Northern New England ED, an assessment of the microsystem highlighted that patients often struggled to understand medication discharge information, increasing the risk of non-adherence and readmission. …

Reducing Appointment No-Shows In An Occupational Medicine Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Diana S. Torres, Cynthia D. Linkes

Nursing Faculty Publications

Abstract

Background: Appointment no-shows in occupational medicine delay recovery, disrupt workers’ compensation processes, and undermine employer trust. A South Texas clinic reported an average 11% no-show rate over 16 months—above the ≤8% benchmark—resulting in an estimated $379,406 in lost revenue. Contributing factors included inconsistent reminder practices, unverified contact information, and language barriers within a predominantly Spanish-speaking population.

Objective/Project Aim: This project aimed to reduce no-shows to ≤8% by implementing a structured, bilingual, multimodal reminder system that improved patient adherence and operational efficiency without increasing staff workload.

Methods: Guided by the “Getting To Outcomes” 10-Step framework, interventions included …

A Bibliometric Analysis On Climate Change And Its Implications For Medical Education, Sungkono Sungkono, Firdian Makrufardi, Annisa Fairuz Nur Azizah, Firdiawan Ekaputra

Health Professions Education

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive examination of research in medical education, especially in graduate medical education within the context of climate change. Moreover, this study examined the current research trends on climate change for graduate medical education. The analysis encompasses citation, co-citation, co-occurrence, thematic mapping and evolutionary analyses. Through this bibliometric review, researchers will gain valuable insights by identifying influential publications and understanding the fundamental structure of the field. Additionally, this review paved the way for future studies by highlighting influential research trends and emerging topics. The findings delineate various approaches of discussion based on clusters identified through …

Ablation Vs Drug Therapy For Long-Term Outcomes Of Atrial Fibrillation, Taylor Yaw

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF), a rapid and irregular arrhythmia, is the most common cause of cardiac-related stroke and other serious complications for those affected. The first-line treatment for long-term rhythm control of AF remains in question and simplification of therapy would be a significant development. This review aims to determine the efficacy of ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of AF.

Methods: A search via PubMed using the keywords ablation* AND drug therapy* AND atrial fibrillation* AND long-term effects produced 770 results. Results were consolidated by excluding those without full text. Filters were set to randomized control trials …

Diagnosis And Management Of Cardiometabolic Disease After Spinal Cord Injury: Identifying Gaps In Physician Training And Practices, Chinenye Christa Nnoromele, Du Pham, Felicia Skelton, Ryan Solinsky

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

CONTEXT: Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) frequently occurs in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), with growing awareness surrounding the expansive scope of this problem. As CMD has significant morbidity and mortality, early guidelines-based screening and management have been established. However, the extent to which these guidelines have been adopted are unclear.

OBJECTIVE: Describe physicians' screening and management pattern for CMD in patients with SCI, as compared to SCI-specific CMD screening guidelines, and elucidate variables linked to screening and management patterns.

METHODS: SCI medicine-boarded physicians were surveyed on screening timing for CMD following acute SCI, along with their practice pattern and comfort …

Formation, Operation, And Maintenance Of A Community Advisory Board For Research With Lgbtq+ Parents, Aubrey Jones, Olivia S. Yinger, Rachel H. Farr, Keisa Fallin-Bennett, Sabrina Beiring, Cassi Crouse, Carolyn Greenstrom

Transforming Communities

Community-engaged research is becoming increasingly popular to promote health equity. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe the formation, operation, and maintenance of a community advisory board (CAB) of LGBTQ+ parents and healthcare providers who work with LGBTQ+ parents. Method: Using Newman and colleagues outline, we describe the formation, operation, and maintenance phases of our CAB process. Inclusion criteria for CAB members is as follows, CAB members must be 18 years of age or older, live in the U.S., and (a) self-identify as LGBTQ+ and have had a child in the NICU more than five years prior to …

Treatment Analysis Of Very Early And Early Onset Psychosis In The Youth Inpatient Setting, Acelyne Marie Summerson, Jordan Kalosieh, Sindhura Kompella, Clara Alvarez-Villaba, Yukthi Kodali

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

The United States Food and Drug Administration approved 6 atypical antipsychotics for pediatric treatment of schizophrenia. However, little has been published on the effectiveness of these medications in the acute treatment setting of adolescents with psychosis. Since the clinical uncertainty and poor prognosis proceeding the early onset of schizophrenia has a significant impact on a child’s development, there is a critical need for evidence-based data on this population. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of various antipsychotics on young patients admitted to the inpatient ward presenting with acute psychosis.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed …

Examining Change In Burnout And Empathy Among Physician Assistant Students During The Clinical And Didactic Years, Jannelle Reynolds, Kimberly Gomes, Nicole M. Sleddens, Jana L. Wardian Phd

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Few studies investigate how burnout affects physician assistant's student empathy. This study aimed to determine the degree of burnout and empathy in didactic PA students as compared to burnout and empathy in their clinical year.

Methods: One cohort of PA students at a Midwestern university were surveyed twice during their education. Once during didactic and once during the clinical year. Two surveys were used to assess burnout and empathy.

Results: Our findings showed moderate to high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization at the end of the didactic phase and significant improvement in lack of personal achievement and emotional exhaustion …

Reducing No-Shows In A Behavioral Health Setting: A Program Evaluation, Meagan Evans

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Mental healthcare in America faces many significant challenges; this is especially true in rural regions like Southwest Virginia. When patients miss their scheduled appointments, it represents a lost opportunity to deliver the critical mental health services that other individuals in need could have benefited from. A significant access issue presents itself when patients are not able to get the mental health support they need. The lack of outpatient access leads to patients utilizing emergency rooms inappropriately for what could have been routine care visits. A multitude of factors can contribute to patients failing to attend their scheduled appointments, including transportation …

Improving Anesthesia Technician Workflow: Implementation Of A Standardized Checklist And Formal Handoff Communication Tool To Enhance Management Of The Pediatric Portable Anesthesia Lockers Recommendation, Megan Shayna Sosnick Msel, Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The surgical department of a well-known Bay Area medical center faces substantial challenges in supply management. These challenges include inconsistent stocking, disorganized storage, and an inefficient ordering process. These logistical issues impact patient care negatively, increase supply costs, and weaken team morale and communication. U.S. hospitals spend $83 billion annually on medical supplies, with $25.4 billion wasted on preventable material expenses (Balkhi et al., 2022). Aim and Methods: This quality improvement project aims to train 80% of anesthesia technicians in proper stocking procedures for portable pediatric anesthesia lockers within three months. Interventions include the implementation of a standardized …