Primary Care Commons^™

Diabetes Education For The Hispanic Population, Nohemi I. Haben, Misty M. Schmitz

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects, if any, of utilizing Spanish language on the efficacy of an education program for type 2 diabetes among the Hispanic population in the twin-cities Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. In the United States adult Hispanics over the age of twenty have a 5.2% higher incidence of type 2 diabetes than Non-Hispanic Whites, a number that keeps rising despite preventability. In this study, a diabetes education program was delivered in Spanish based on material developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Diabetes Education Program. The program focused …

Minnesota Healthcare Barriers To The Medically Underserved, Ashley C. Hoffmann, Amanda Walters

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Quality medical services and patient oriented satisfaction are important factors in a healthcare setting. Barriers preventing such factors are more prevalent in medically underserved areas (MUAs) ( Brems, Johnson, Warner, & Roberts, 2006 ). The purpose of this study was to identify barriers in the care of patients within Minnesota MUAs. The study was conducted by an online survey emailed to Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistant (MAPA) members, and only members who were currently employed in a Minnesota MUA county had valid data collection. Twelve barriers to healthcare were listed on the survey and required the MAPA members to grade …

Dietary Supplements: A Consumer Profile Of Knowledge And Use, Sarah J. Kucera, Yen Nguyen

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alternative medicine, in the form of dietary supplements, is appealing to Americans. Supplements have been marketed as being natural promoters of general well-being, healing, and disease prevention. Even with minimal regulation and research, the majority of supplement use is self-prescribed, fueling an industry last estimated at $32.5 billion in 2012. The study explored the degree of consumer knowledge with regards to regulation, appropriate indications and dosages, and potential adverse effects of various dietary supplements. The study also sought to evaluate the relationship between supplement knowledge and demographic information as well as the extent of discussion about supplement use with a …

Individual Physician Assistant's Spirituality And Job Satisfaction, Kyle J. Smisek, Kelsa L. Hovelson, Mali D. Langlie

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The factors that contribute to job satisfaction have been studied extensively. Additionally, in the healthcare setting, the influence of spirituality has been a topic of substantial research. However, few studies have researched a physician assistant’s individual spirituality and its influence on job satisfaction. The goal of this study was to first identify the effect, if any, between the spirituality of a PA and his or her perceived job satisfaction, and second, to determine where spirituality ranks among the various factors that influence job satisfaction. In addition, the study addressed whether there appears to be a connection between one’s spirituality and …

Bone Health Promotion For Youth: A Primary Care Intervention, Kay G. Wilson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obese youth have high rates of vitamin D and calcium deficiencies and are at risk for developing osteoporosis. Clinical guidelines are needed in primary pediatric care services to promote bone-healthy behaviors. The aim of this project was to: a) implement the infrastructure and processes for physiological monitoring, consistent parameter-based vitamin D & calcium supplementation, family education, and coaching, and b) evaluate the impact of bone promotion changes on patients and parents and the primary care delivery system. The project outcomes included modest gains in bone health awareness among staff, patients, and families. In addition, modifications to clinical pathways and related …

The Impact Of An Implemented Scribe Program In Emergency Room Settings On Patient And Provider Satisfaction, Overall Patient Volume, And Emergency Room Cost Effectiveness, Kendra L. Kruger, Tara L. Tait

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to evaluate medical scribe programs in emergency room settings as to their role, impact on patient satisfaction, patient volume, and cost-effectiveness, as well as their perceived value by emergency room medical providers through survey methods. This prospective, quantitative research study obtained information via surveys of Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA) providers concerning the value emergency room providers placed on the function and role of scribes in emergency room settings. The data obtained from the surveys was analyzed using correlation and comparison of means. The results of the study indicated that emergency room providers thought …

Awareness Of Antibiotic Resistance In The General Population As Related To Education Level, Rachel M. Cantlon, Emma Wilson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An antibiotic is a drug, also known as an antimicrobial, which is used to treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), 2012). The effect of antibiotic overuse and mistreatment with these drugs has led to infectious bacteria developing antibiotic resistance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2014). Antibiotic resistance results in at least 23,000 deaths each year in the United States alone (CDC, 2014). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general population’s awareness of antibiotic resistance in regard to education level, and proper use of antibiotics as measured by …

Caring For Children With Intrauterine Drug Exposure, The Rees-Jones Center For Foster Care Excellence

White Papers and Policy Briefs

Overview of national statistics regarding in utero substance exposure and the impacts on health care for children involved with the child welfare system.

For questions about this publication or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Addressing The Health And Safety Of Children In Foster Care, The Rees-Jones Center For Foster Care Excellence

White Papers and Policy Briefs

The Texas foster care system is an integral part of the safety net for the state’s most vulnerable children, and is charged with the daunting task of providing safe homes to thousands of children who are in crisis. Children and youth in foster care still face persistent barriers when they interact with the health system, which blunt the effectiveness of reform initiatives and potentially create lifelong harms for children in the program. Addressing disparities in the areas of physical health, mental health, educational attainment and special health care needs is integral to improving safety, stability and permanency for every child …

Medical Interns', Residents' And Attending Physicians' Attitudes Towards Integrative Medicine And Recommended Treatments For Patients With Psoriasis, Jennifer L. Pacyon

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease that effect approximately 7.5 million Americans. There are a variety of traditional treatments for psoriasis (e.g. topical medications, biologics) that for many, are effective in combating the disease. However, traditional treatments often have aversive side effects and may not be appropriate for every patient (e.g. pregnant women). Additionally, the efficacy of these medications are variable leaving some looking for adjunctive treatment options. There is increasing evidence to support the use of adjunctive treatments for psoriatic patients (e.g. psychotherapy, mindfulness). However, research is variable in regards to medical professionals’ attitudes towards integrative medicine (IM) as …

Alzheimer's Disease: Knowledge Of Early Detection, Risk Factors, And Treatment, Anna H. Smith, Katlyn S. Spadino

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease causes a progressive and irreversible decline in cognitive functioning. There are many people living with this disease, and the prevalence is expected to triple between 2010 and 2050. Many members of society are affected through either a personal diagnosis or the diagnosis of a family member. There have been numerous studies outlining risk factors, signs and symptoms, and treatments for this disease, but it is unknown if this has translated to greater public awareness. This study aims to assess the general adult population's knowledge of Alzheimer's disease. The participants are 35 to 70 years old and live in …

Furthering The Quality Agenda In Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services: Understanding The Relationship Between Accreditation, Continuous Quality Improvement And National Key Performance Indicator Reporting, Beverly Sibthorpe, Karen Gardner, Daniel Mcaullay

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A rapidly expanding interest in quality in the Aboriginal-community-controlled health sector has led to widespread uptake of accreditation using more than one set of standards, a proliferation of continuous quality improvement programs and the introduction of key performance indicators. As yet, there has been no overarching logic that shows how they relate to each other, with consequent confusion within and outside the sector. We map the three approaches to the Framework for Performance Assessment in Primary Health Care, demonstrating their key differences and complementarity. There needs to be greater attention in both policy and practice to the purposes and alignment …

Improving Access To Primary Care For Aboriginal Babies In Western Australia: Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Dan Mcaullay, Kimberley Mcauley, Rhonda Marriott, Glenn Pearson, Peter Jacoby, Chantal Ferguson, Elizabeth Geelhoed, Juli Coffin, Charmaine Green, Selina Sibosado, Barbara Henry, Dorota Doherty, Karen Edmond

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Despite a decade of substantial investments in programs to improve access to primary care for Aboriginal mothers and infants, more than 50 % of Western Australian Aboriginal babies are still not receiving primary and preventative care in the early months of life. Western Australian hospitals now input birth data into the Western Australian electronic clinical management system within 48 hours of birth. However, difficulties have arisen in ensuring that the appropriate primary care providers receive birth notification and clinical information by the time babies are discharged from the hospital. No consistent process exists to ensure that choices about primary …

Assessment Of Obesity Management In A Primary Care Setting, Katie Diffenderfer

DNP Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current practices related to obesity in the primary care setting in University of Kentucky’s Healthcare System. The specific aims were to: 1) Determine the proportion of obese patients who had an ICD-9/10 diagnosis code for obesity, 2) Determine the proportion of obese patients who received interventions related to their obesity, 3) Determine whether obesity diagnosis and interventions varied based on patient demographics, and 4) Compare actual obesity interventions to those outlined in the clinical practice guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of male and female patients between the ages of …

Perceptions And Attitudes Of A Sample Of Primary Care Patients Receiving Psychological Care From Their Pcp, Nadine Henzes Gowarty

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

With millions of Americans suffering from a mental health disorder and slightly more than half receiving treatment, the demand for psychological services far outweighs the number of practitioners available to provide direct care. Therefore, the majority of all primary-care visits are based on psychosocial factors; one third of a PCP’s caseloads consist of patients with mental-health problems. Given the fact that PCPs provide comprehensive psychosocial care, it is important to determine the beliefs and perceptions of their patients. Results from this study identified numerous factors that influence the relationship between patients receiving mental health care from their PCP. Specifically, if …

Patient-Reported Variables Associated With The Success Of Behavioral Intervention For Patients With Chronic Cough, Bridget Loomis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Purpose: To determine if patient-related variables exist that can potentially discriminate patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC) that are reasonable candidates for behavioral cough therapy (BCT). This study is a small sub-set of a larger, ongoing study, which aims to create and validate a screening tool that primary care physicians can use in order to refer patients early and appropriately for medical or behavioral intervention.

Methods: In this prospective, exploratory study, 20 adult participants, aged 29-68 years of age, answered a bank of questions developed by an expert panel, and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), before and after BCT. Questions …

Translating Knowledge For Action Against Stroke--Using 5-Minute Videos For Stroke Survivors And Caregivers To Improve Post-Stroke Outcomes: Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial (Movies4stroke)., Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Adeel Khoja, Bushra Usmani, Nargis Asad, Asma Ahmed, Iqbal Azam, Sarah Saleem, Saleem Sayani

Department of Medicine

Background: Two thirds of the global mortality of stroke is borne by low and middle income countries (LMICs). Pakistan is the world’s sixth most populous country with a stroke-vulnerable population and is without a single dedicated chronic care center. In order to provide evidence for a viable solution responsive to this health care gap, and leveraging the existing >70 % mobile phone density, we thought it rational to test the effectiveness of a mobile phone-based video intervention of short 5-minute movies to educate and support stroke survivors and their primary caregivers.

Methods: Movies4Stroke will be a randomized control, outcome assessor …

Dashing Away Hypertension: Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension Diet In Controlling High Blood Pressure, Preeya Shah Phd, Kyle D. Maxwell, Joseph I. Shapiro Md

Biochemistry and Microbiology

The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet has been developed and popularized as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for high blood pressure reduction since 1995. However, to date, a comprehensive description of the biochemical rationale behind the diet’s principal guidelines has yet to be compiled. With rising interest for healthy and reliable life-style modifications to combat cardiovascular disease, this review aims to compile the most recent and relevant studies on this topic and make an informed assessment as to the efficacy of and underlying mechanisms operant in the DASH diet. Specifically, the merits of lowering dietary intake of sodium and saturated …

Should Primary Care Physicians Address Sleep To Improve Weight Loss In Obese Patients? A Clin-Iq, Kjersti E. Knox

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Obesity is a commonly encountered problem in the primary care setting. Simultaneously, sleep is seen to hold an increasingly important role in many components of health and wellness. A review of the literature was performed to determine if improving sleep positively impacts weight loss in obese adults. The evidence reviewed suggests that improving patients’ sleep may initially improve patient weight loss; however, current studies do not show a sustained statistically significant impact. Until higher powered and higher quality studies are completed, there are no clear evidence-based guidelines for primary care physicians to follow regarding sleep and obesity.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Case-Based Review, Kristen H. Reynolds

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition of increased microbial load in the small intestine. The microbes feed on dietary carbohydrates and starches via fermentation, leading to gas production, inflammation and damage to the lining of the small intestine. Clinical presentation is varied, including abdominal pain, bloating, malabsorption and systemic symptoms. SIBO is associated with many challenging and chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and chronic pain syndromes, and has been shown to be a causative factor in two out of three cases of irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms improve with antimicrobial treatment, but recurrence is common. Many providers …