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- Title
- HEALTH-CARE SEEKING BEHAVIORS OF PUERTO RICANS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS WHO LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY.
- Creator
-
Gonzalez, Laura, Bushy, Angeline, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACT Latinos are the fastest growing minority population in the United States (U.S.) and have the worst access to health care of any ethnic group. The chronic disease of diabetes is twice as common in adult Latinos as in non-Latino whites, and the risk of death related to diabetes is twofold. Reasons for this disparity have yet to be clearly identified. This study had two purposes: 1) to explore cultural beliefs regarding health-care seeking behaviors in Puerto Ricans with diabetes who...
Show moreABSTRACT Latinos are the fastest growing minority population in the United States (U.S.) and have the worst access to health care of any ethnic group. The chronic disease of diabetes is twice as common in adult Latinos as in non-Latino whites, and the risk of death related to diabetes is twofold. Reasons for this disparity have yet to be clearly identified. This study had two purposes: 1) to explore cultural beliefs regarding health-care seeking behaviors in Puerto Ricans with diabetes who live in South Florida; and 2) to examine Puerto Ricans' perceptions about their health-care providers. The cultural phenomena of interest were familism, religiosity, spirituality, use of ethnomedicine, and perception of ethnic concordance of health-care provider. Numerous studies have examined these phenomena with other Latino groups, but none have specifically focused on Puerto Ricans. An overarching goal of the study was to contribute to the knowledge base on a particular health disparity--diabetes. Using a narrative inquiry approach, a purposive sample of self-identified Puerto Ricans with diabetes (N = 12) were recruited from six sites in a South Florida city. Data were obtained using a pencil-and-paper demographic instrument, the Short Acculturation Scale to determine language preference of Spanish or English, and a personal interview using a semi-structured, ten-item interview guide. Subjects gave written informed consent for participation, and all data were coded to ensure confidentiality. The personal interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews completed in Spanish were translated to English and transcribed. Using content analyses techniques, transcribed narratives were analyzed for content and thematic emergence. iii The findings revealed that familism was an important consideration in health-care seeking behaviors. Traditional gender role expectations, coupled with caregiver burdens, deterred some participants from seeking care even when care was needed. Religiosity and spirituality did not influence decision-making but did have a role in coping with the chronic disease. While participants were aware of culturally based ethnomedicine, they preferred Western medicine for the treatment of their diabetes. They also had a preference for a health-care provider who was ethnically concordant. Serendipitous findings that emerged in the analyses included the casual attitude of several participants about their diabetic status and reports of depressive-like symptoms among most of the women. Health-care providers need to take into consideration the cultural and linguistic preferences of Puerto Ricans to develop an appropriate and effective treatment plan. Discrepancies between the health-care providers and the clients' systems must be reconciled to improve adherence to evidence-based treatment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002018, ucf:47631
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002018
- Title
- EFFECTS OF HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION ON QUALITY OF CARE AND PATIENT SAFETY IN US ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS.
- Creator
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Seblega, Binyam, Zhang, Ning, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The adoption of healthcare information technology (HIT) has been advocated by various groups as critical in addressing the growing crisis in the healthcare industry. Despite the plethora of evidence on the benefits of HIT, however, the healthcare industry lags behind many other economic sectors in the adoption of information technology. A significant number of healthcare providers still keep patient information on paper. With the recent trends of reimbursement reduction and rapid...
Show moreThe adoption of healthcare information technology (HIT) has been advocated by various groups as critical in addressing the growing crisis in the healthcare industry. Despite the plethora of evidence on the benefits of HIT, however, the healthcare industry lags behind many other economic sectors in the adoption of information technology. A significant number of healthcare providers still keep patient information on paper. With the recent trends of reimbursement reduction and rapid technological advances, therefore, it would be critical to understand differences in structural characteristics and healthcare performance between providers that do and that do not adopt HIT. This is accomplished in this research, first by identifying organizational and contextual factors associated with the adoption of HIT in US acute care hospitals and second by examining the relationships between the adoption of HIT and two important healthcare outcomes: patient safety and quality of care. After conducting literature a review, the structure-process-outcome model and diffusion of innovations theory were used to develop a conceptual framework. Hypotheses were developed and variables were selected based on the conceptual framework. Publicly available secondary data were obtained from the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) databases. The information technologies were grouped into three clusters: clinical, administrative, and strategic decision making ITs. After the data from the three sources were cleaned and merged, regression models were built to identify organizational and contextual factors that affect HIT adoption and to determine the effects of HIT adoption on patient safety and quality of care. Most prior studies on HIT were restricted in scope as they primarily focused on a limited number of technologies, single healthcare outcomes, individual healthcare institutions, limited geographic locations, and/or small market segments. This limits the generalizability of the findings and makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. The new contribution of the present study lies in the fact that it uses nationally representative latest available data and it incorporates a large number of technologies and two risk adjusted healthcare outcomes. Large size and urban location were found to be the most influential hospital characteristics that positively affect information technology adoption. However, the adoption of HIT was not found to significantly affect hospitalsÂÂ' performance in terms of patient safety and quality of care measures. Perhaps a remarkable finding of this study is the better quality of care performance of hospitals in the Midwest, South, and West compared to hospitals in the Northeast despite the fact that the latter reported higher HIT adoption rates. In terms of theoretical implications, this study confirms that organizational and contextual factors (structure) affect adoption of information technology (process) which in turn affects healthcare outcomes (outcome), though not consistently, validating Avedis DonabedianÂÂ's structure-process-outcome model. In addition, diffusion of innovations theory links factors associated with resource abundance, access to information, and prestige with adoption of information technology. The present findings also confirm that hospitals with these attributes adopted more technologies. The methodological implication of this study is that the lack of a single common variable and uniformity of data among the data sources imply the need for standardization in data collection and preparation. In terms of policy implication, the findings in this study indicate that a significant number of hospitals are still reluctant to use clinical HIT. Thus, even though the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was a good stimulus, a more aggressive policy intervention from the government is warranted in order to direct the healthcare industry towards a better adoption of clinical HIT.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003327, ucf:48445
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003327
- Title
- Fostering college student success: An analysis of the educational outcomes of Florida college students utilizing Relative Caregiver, Road-to-Independence, and Adoption tuition exemptions.
- Creator
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Murray, Lauren, Cox, Dr. Thomas, Preston, Michael, Whiteman, JoAnn, Molina, Olga, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study investigated the educational outcomes of foster care youth utilizing the Road to Independence, Adopted from DCF, and Relative Caregiver tuition exemptions to pursue enrollment in Florida's state college system during the 2012-2013 academic year. An extensive literature review was conducted to examine the history of foster care, examine a contemporary portrait of the American foster care system, and the adult outcomes of former foster care. Federal and state policies impacting the...
Show moreThis study investigated the educational outcomes of foster care youth utilizing the Road to Independence, Adopted from DCF, and Relative Caregiver tuition exemptions to pursue enrollment in Florida's state college system during the 2012-2013 academic year. An extensive literature review was conducted to examine the history of foster care, examine a contemporary portrait of the American foster care system, and the adult outcomes of former foster care. Federal and state policies impacting the population, campus support initiatives at colleges nationwide and the concept of resilience were also explored. In conjunction with the Florida Department of Education's Division of Accountability, Research and Measurement, the Florida Department of Children and Families provided access to a dataset compiled by the Community College and Technical Center MIS department. This file contained enrollment information for foster care youth utilizing one of three tuition exemptions to fund their education-related expenses. While all personal identifiers were eliminated prior to sharing the file, information within the document included student age, gender, race/ethnicity, academic discipline, and degree being pursued.Results of this study yielded some statistically significant differences across tuition exemption type. After examining relationships between gender and race/ethnicity and tuition exemption type, no statistically significant results were found. However, statistical significance was found after examining the relationships between academic degree being pursued and academic major/discipline and tuition exemption type. Many factors impact the experiences of foster care youth in the college classroom. These should be considered when developing programming, policy, and support services aimed at encouraging their success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005979, ucf:50769
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005979
- Title
- EFFECTIVENESS OF NONPHARMACOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES FOR PROCEDURAL ANALGESIA IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.
- Creator
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Flaherty, Lauren, Allred, Kelly, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this thesis is to provide a critical analysis of research findings about nonpharmacological techniques used independently of pharmacological techniques to prevent or reduce procedural pain for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A synthesis of the current research related to nonpharmacological pain relief techniques for infants was conducted for this thesis. Nonpharmacological interventions reviewed in this study include: Kangaroo Care, swaddling, facilitated...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to provide a critical analysis of research findings about nonpharmacological techniques used independently of pharmacological techniques to prevent or reduce procedural pain for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A synthesis of the current research related to nonpharmacological pain relief techniques for infants was conducted for this thesis. Nonpharmacological interventions reviewed in this study include: Kangaroo Care, swaddling, facilitated tucking, positioning, music, non-nutritive sucking and sucrose. An interdisciplinary review of the research was performed using the interdisciplinary databases Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, PubMED, and PsychINFO. Inclusion criteria for this thesis consists of research focused on preterm neonates (born < 37 weeks gestational age) in the neonatal intensive care unit, the use of nonpharmacological interventions for procedural analgesia, peer reviewed articles, and those written in the English language. This study excludes full term neonates due to the significant number of preterm neonates in the NICU. A total of 18 studies were included in this review. All interventions except for positioning show statistically significant evidence to support their use to reduce procedural pain in preterm neonates. Findings of this thesis may promote further studies and exploration into this field. In addition, this thesis establishes the role of the nurse in providing pain relief for infants in the NICU, as well as provide for enhancement of interdisciplinary care amongst other health care providers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0003777, ucf:44739
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003777
- Title
- FAMILY SUPPORT AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE QUALITY IN NURSING HOMES SERVING RESIDENTS WITH A MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY.
- Creator
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Frahm, Kathryn, Gammonley, Denise, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The prevalence of mental health disorders among the nursing home population is well recognized. However, providing adequate mental health services for nursing home residents who need them remains a challenging endeavor. The social support of family has long been recognized as a key resource for older adults with a mental health history and older adults residing in nursing homes. The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of mental health care provided for nursing home residents with...
Show moreThe prevalence of mental health disorders among the nursing home population is well recognized. However, providing adequate mental health services for nursing home residents who need them remains a challenging endeavor. The social support of family has long been recognized as a key resource for older adults with a mental health history and older adults residing in nursing homes. The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of mental health care provided for nursing home residents with a mental health history and to determine if family support influences the quality of their mental health care accounting for other facility resident and facility organizational characteristics. The study utilized a retrospective, cross-sectional design with 2003 national Online Survey Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) facility data merged with the resident-level Minimum Data Set (MDS) resulting in N=2,499 nursing homes. Guided by the convoy model of social support and socioemotional selectivity theory, descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis were used to create a profile of facility level data of nursing home residents with a mental health history, explore the role of family support, and determine if items within the OSCAR and MDS databases could respectively be used to measure mental health care quality and family support. Overall, it was found that families have a positive relationship with their relatives and are involved in their lives. Additionally, items within the OSCAR and MDS databases could be used to measure mental health care quality and family support. Finally, facility organizational characteristics explained more variation in the quality of mental health care than did facility resident, family support, or market characteristics. In sum, to enhance the quality of mental health care in nursing homes, partnering with families may be an important tool to meet resident needs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002529, ucf:47670
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002529
- Title
- PROFIT-BEARING ADMINISTRATORS: EXPLORING THE APPLICATION OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCIAL CONCEPTS IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT.
- Creator
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Riddick, Brandon K, Wessel, Philip K., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Healthcare managers face an incredible challenge today; understanding and implementing financially and economically sound decisions in the complex healthcare environment of the United States. The pressure to be profitable managers is greater than ever. Considering current research, past studies, and articles focused on the demands of healthcare managers will illuminate the state of health care administration, and the importance of real world application of accounting and economics in...
Show moreHealthcare managers face an incredible challenge today; understanding and implementing financially and economically sound decisions in the complex healthcare environment of the United States. The pressure to be profitable managers is greater than ever. Considering current research, past studies, and articles focused on the demands of healthcare managers will illuminate the state of health care administration, and the importance of real world application of accounting and economics in healthcare. This thesis will explore and examine research about industry standards, and the need for preparedness in healthcare finance management. It will also examine the important and complex role of accounting and economics in healthcare administration by answering the three following questions: What do administrators, according to studies and literature available, believe is essential to becoming and remaining effective managers? What financial and economic concepts are understood and implemented by healthcare managers? What changes, if any, are necessary to adequately train and educate future healthcare administrators for successful financial management? The answers to these questions will highlight the impact of the economic, political, and social changes on administrators, as well as the best ways to succeed despite the difficulties often faced by those in this field.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000212, ucf:45922
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000212
- Title
- BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO ACCESSING AND UTILIZING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.
- Creator
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Lapinski, Abbygail P, Dever, Kimberly, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Homelessness in the youth population is associated with elevated rates of mental illness, substance abuse, and suicidality compared to the housed population in the United States (Berdahl, Hoyt, and Whitbeck, 2005; Hodgson, Shelton, Van den Bree, 2014; Hughes et al., 2010). With a survival-focused perspective, exacerbating issues, stigmatization, and transience housing; homeless youth require special consideration to meet their diverse health needs. When barriers impede homeless youth's access...
Show moreHomelessness in the youth population is associated with elevated rates of mental illness, substance abuse, and suicidality compared to the housed population in the United States (Berdahl, Hoyt, and Whitbeck, 2005; Hodgson, Shelton, Van den Bree, 2014; Hughes et al., 2010). With a survival-focused perspective, exacerbating issues, stigmatization, and transience housing; homeless youth require special consideration to meet their diverse health needs. When barriers impede homeless youth's access to necessary health resources, their health concerns are left untreated and impound until emergency services are required. This review of literature is focused on identifying and synthesizing barriers and facilitators for homeless youth to access and utilize mental health care services. When untreated mental illness reaches a crisis point, it becomes more expensive to treat (Taylor, Stuttaford, and Vostanis, 2006). For youth experiencing homelessness, various factors influence their decisions to wait until a crisis to reach out to emergency services. Within the literature, barriers and facilitators were bracketed into personal, social, and structural factors. These factors ranged from financial concerns, communication with health care providers and between health care service locations, stigmatization, lack of awareness, and administrative requirements. While further research is required, evidence from the literature shows promise in developing and altering interventions and communication to meet homeless youth's mental health and substance abuse needs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000468, ucf:45860
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000468
- Title
- EVALUATING INTERVENTIONS TO MITIGATE COMPASSION FATIGUE AMONG AT-RISK NURSING POPULATIONS.
- Creator
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Derayunan, Emily R, Andrews, Diane, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis examined the experience of compassion fatigue in nurses through analysis of research studies conducted within the past ten years. A literature review was completed using CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases. Efficacy of current management strategies and interventions was evaluated. Findings indicate that educating nurses working in high-risk units improves self-recognition and lowers compassion fatigue levels. Institutional factors such as a lack of...
Show moreThis thesis examined the experience of compassion fatigue in nurses through analysis of research studies conducted within the past ten years. A literature review was completed using CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases. Efficacy of current management strategies and interventions was evaluated. Findings indicate that educating nurses working in high-risk units improves self-recognition and lowers compassion fatigue levels. Institutional factors such as a lack of managerial support and organizational commitment contribute to the experience of compassion fatigue. An organization's involvement in maximizing compassion satisfaction through meaningful recognition of nurses' contributions to care and implementation of organizational prevention programs minimizes the risk of developing compassion fatigue. Once self-recognition by nurses and organizations participation level in mitigating compassion fatigue is addressed, interventions can be implemented to attenuate the experience of compassion fatigue. Resiliency programs and mindfulness-based interventions were efficacious in mitigating compassion fatigue.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000469, ucf:45723
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000469
- Title
- A TRANSCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE ON NONPHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.
- Creator
-
Leyva, Amanda W, Edwards, Joellen, Upvall, Michele, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Despite PPD's global extent, scarce research that addresses culturally competent alternative interventions exists. The purposes of this thesis were to 1) analyze the existing literature on non-pharmacological treatment of PPD in the US and across selected cultures; 2) determine the effectiveness of cross-cultural non-pharmaceutical therapy; and 3) examine and suggest ways health care providers can integrate non-pharmacologic interventions into PPD treatment in the US. The systematic...
Show moreDespite PPD's global extent, scarce research that addresses culturally competent alternative interventions exists. The purposes of this thesis were to 1) analyze the existing literature on non-pharmacological treatment of PPD in the US and across selected cultures; 2) determine the effectiveness of cross-cultural non-pharmaceutical therapy; and 3) examine and suggest ways health care providers can integrate non-pharmacologic interventions into PPD treatment in the US. The systematic electronic search comprised the databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline, PsycINFO and SAGE Research Methods. Searches were limited to English language, peer reviewed, and research articles between 2007 and 2017. A second search was performed through global Healthcare Organizations websites. The World Bank's country classifications by income level were adopted to present the findings. This review found that passing el calor to the newborn, yoga; and cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, family, and bright light therapies are successful interventions. Further, seclusion periods were identified as adequate interventions only when women voluntarily adopt the practice and have family support, with less social restrictions. While other non-pharmacological treatments' effectiveness was not ascertained, this thesis encourages healthcare professionals to integrate cultural traditions congruent with clients' preferences. Recommended nursing interventions and suggestions for improvement of current practice are also discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000370, ucf:45916
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000370
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF AUDITORY STIMULI ON STRESS LEVELS OF ADULT PATIENTS IN THE CRITICAL CARE SETTING.
- Creator
-
Ellermets, Jessica, Heglund, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this review of literature is to explore the effects of interventional and environmental auditory stimuli on the adult critical care population. Current research has yet to compare and contrast the effectiveness of various interventional auditory stimuli on stress relief, an oversight this thesis aims to remedy. Modern day critical care settings demand the identification of the most therapeutic interventional auditory stimulus and the most stress-inducing environmental stimuli,...
Show moreThe purpose of this review of literature is to explore the effects of interventional and environmental auditory stimuli on the adult critical care population. Current research has yet to compare and contrast the effectiveness of various interventional auditory stimuli on stress relief, an oversight this thesis aims to remedy. Modern day critical care settings demand the identification of the most therapeutic interventional auditory stimulus and the most stress-inducing environmental stimuli, so that interventions can be made to optimize patient stress levels and improve outcomes. Suggestions will be made on how to simultaneously reduce harmful or stress inducing auditory stimuli in the critical care setting and implement the optimal stress-relieving interventional auditory stimuli.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004853, ucf:45482
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004853
- Title
- THE EFFICACY OF NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL PAIN MANAGEMENT METHODS AMONGST PREMATURE NEONATES IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU).
- Creator
-
Martinez, Hannah R, D'Amato-Kubiet, Leslee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to conduct an integrated review of the literature examining the use of non-pharmacologic pain management strategies in premature neonates and to explore the relationship between health outcomes and time to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Non-pharmacologic pain management strategies include human touch, facilitated tucking, non-nutritive sucking, and kangaroo care. A systematic review of the literature was conducted from multiple online...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to conduct an integrated review of the literature examining the use of non-pharmacologic pain management strategies in premature neonates and to explore the relationship between health outcomes and time to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Non-pharmacologic pain management strategies include human touch, facilitated tucking, non-nutritive sucking, and kangaroo care. A systematic review of the literature was conducted from multiple online databases. Peer reviewed, English-language articles containing the keywords 'pain management', 'neonatal intensive care unit', and 'non-pharmacologic' were included for synthesis. Exclusion criteria included articles with a focus on infants not admitted to the NICU and infants with a gestational age greater than 37 weeks. Results revealed positive outcomes when alternative pain-relieving methods, rather than drug therapy, were used in the NICU. A majority of articles suggest facilitated tucking is very successful in lowering a preterm infant's pain. However, facilitated tucking alone was significantly less effective in relieving procedural pain compared to facilitated tucking in combination with oral sucrose administration. Kangaroo care and gentle human touch also proved to reduce physiologic and behavioral signs of pain in neonates. The literature reveled an overall positive outcome when non-pharmacologic pain interventions are used in the NICU, with some behavioral interventions showing better efficacy than others at relieving neonatal pain. None of the reviewed articles explored the relationship between reduced length of stay and parameters assessing health outcomes based on pain control in neonates. The literature indicated nurses play a significant role in the use of pain-relieving methods in neonatal populations. Implications for future research that focuses on successful behavioral based pain management strategies that assists in refining neonatal pain relief would be of great benefit to improving health outcomes related to infant survival after discharge from the NICU.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000079, ucf:45503
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000079
- Title
- NURSING STUDENTS' ATTITUDE AND COMMITMENT TOWARD SUBSTANCE-ABUSING PATIENTS.
- Creator
-
O'Conner, Amy L, Allred, Kelly, Valenti, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The topic of substance-abuse has received increasing attention in recent years, as the number of individuals experiencing drug abuse and addiction is on the rise. With substance-use on the rise, the number of patients admitted to the hospital with this disorder is increasing also. It is important hospital staff are aware and educated on how to provide adequate care to these patients without judgement regarding their choices or their lifestyle. This study was done to determine how prepared...
Show moreThe topic of substance-abuse has received increasing attention in recent years, as the number of individuals experiencing drug abuse and addiction is on the rise. With substance-use on the rise, the number of patients admitted to the hospital with this disorder is increasing also. It is important hospital staff are aware and educated on how to provide adequate care to these patients without judgement regarding their choices or their lifestyle. This study was done to determine how prepared nursing students are to care for patients with drug abuse or addiction. Specifically, the project explores student nurses' attitudes and commitment toward substance- abusing patients. The 20 item Drug and Drug Problem Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ) was used to measure attitudes and therapeutic commitment in working with drug-abusing patients, and was distributed electronically to approximately 400 nursing students. One hundred thirty-one students participated. Scores ranged from 22-102, with the smaller value representing greater overall commitment and preparedness when working with substance-abusing patients. The mean score reported overall was 58. This score indicates improvement is needed to increase students' therapeutic commitment and ability to provide quality care for patients experiencing substance- abuse. More research needs to be done and programs put into place to reach this goal.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000453, ucf:45709
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000453
- Title
- WOMEN'S PERCEPTIONS OF NURSING CARE AND MANAGEMENT AFTER FIRST TRIMESTER MISCARRIAGE.
- Creator
-
McGee, Jennifer, D'Amato-Kubiet, Leslee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is an event that affects approximately one in four women during their reproductive years. Despite the psychological and physiological trauma associated with the loss of pregnancy, few evidence-based practice recommendations exist to guide nursing care of women experiencing first trimester miscarriage. The purpose of this integrative review of literature was to examine research related to women's health care experiences of first trimester miscarriage and...
Show moreSpontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is an event that affects approximately one in four women during their reproductive years. Despite the psychological and physiological trauma associated with the loss of pregnancy, few evidence-based practice recommendations exist to guide nursing care of women experiencing first trimester miscarriage. The purpose of this integrative review of literature was to examine research related to women's health care experiences of first trimester miscarriage and discuss common themes relating to nursing care. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer review research articles published after 2001 and available in the English language and women that experienced miscarriage during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Current literature was collected from Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE- EBSCOhost and PsycINFO databases using combinations of various key words. Six qualitative studies and one quasi-experimental study met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The results indicated that nursing care of women experiencing miscarriage should include therapeutic communication, psychological support, and provision of information and follow-up care. While there is little research reviewing nursing interventions related to first trimester miscarriage, these themes may help guide the development of further research reviewing the efficacy and effectiveness of specific nursing interventions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004414, ucf:45134
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004414
- Title
- HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS' PERSPECTIVES ON MALE INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE NEEDS.
- Creator
-
Milanes, Lilian, Mishtal, Joanna, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Young men are at the greatest risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within the U.S. male populations, yet are the least likely to make a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care visit. Clinical approaches in these areas that include the outreach to and the involvement of male partners of female patients can prove particularly useful in expanding SRH care to men and can also improve health outcomes for women who have sex with men. In this study I examined UCF's healthcare...
Show moreYoung men are at the greatest risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within the U.S. male populations, yet are the least likely to make a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care visit. Clinical approaches in these areas that include the outreach to and the involvement of male partners of female patients can prove particularly useful in expanding SRH care to men and can also improve health outcomes for women who have sex with men. In this study I examined UCF's healthcare provider's approaches to educate and involve men (between the ages of 18 and 30) and male partners of female patients in their SRH needs. I conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 18 health care providers at the Student Health Center; including physicians, physician assistants, and registered nurses. This study found that there were significant differences in perception of men's SRH risk behaviors among the providers. In addition, this study revealed issues that might deter male students from accessing care, specifically how patients are required to state to the operator (who is also an undergraduate student) their name, PID and exactly why they are scheduling a visit to the clinic, thus many men say they have cold symptoms instead of issues with SRH. This study is significant because it can contribute to improvements in the delivery of SRH care to male students on campus.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004225, ucf:44954
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004225
- Title
- AN INVESTIGATION OF SELF-CARE MODALITIES FOR THE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA.
- Creator
-
Major, Amber, Heglund, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the most effective forms of self-care that patients can perform to reduce swelling caused by lymphedema. Lymphedema may occur secondary to lymph node trauma, which makes it difficult for lymph fluid to leave an extremity. Even though lymphedema is more recognized as a side effect of breast cancer treatment, it can also be the result of many other ailments or treatments and can be present in any part of the body. By knowing which...
Show moreThe purpose of this literature review is to investigate the most effective forms of self-care that patients can perform to reduce swelling caused by lymphedema. Lymphedema may occur secondary to lymph node trauma, which makes it difficult for lymph fluid to leave an extremity. Even though lymphedema is more recognized as a side effect of breast cancer treatment, it can also be the result of many other ailments or treatments and can be present in any part of the body. By knowing which therapies are most effective, nurses and other health care professionals can educate patients to help ease the burden caused by this debilitating condition. This thesis discusses the results of clinical trials that studied different methods of self-care including exercises, bandaging, compression garments, sequential compression devices, and performing manual lymphatic drainage. The conclusion derived from the review of multiple studies is that participating in a combination of multiple therapies is the most effective means of lymphedema management and should be considered the ideal standard of care.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004065, ucf:44812
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004065
- Title
- Young Adult Development and Caregiving: Disposition and Involvement in Care.
- Creator
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James, Nicholas, Paulson, Daniel, Dvorak, Robert, Wharton, Tracy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Caregivers are a diverse group of individuals with a variety of backgrounds and roles; however, research has widely overlooked young adults in this population. This study investigated young adult caregiver circumstance, burden, and use of support services with the purpose of improving future caregiving research and interventions. Study 1 compared burden and circumstance among young, middle aged, and older adult caregivers (N = 285) in addition to developmental indicators among young adults...
Show moreCaregivers are a diverse group of individuals with a variety of backgrounds and roles; however, research has widely overlooked young adults in this population. This study investigated young adult caregiver circumstance, burden, and use of support services with the purpose of improving future caregiving research and interventions. Study 1 compared burden and circumstance among young, middle aged, and older adult caregivers (N = 285) in addition to developmental indicators among young adults caregiver and demographically matched non-caregiver peers (n = 225). Study 2 surveyed caregivers from each age group (N = 151) on barriers to care, treatment preferences, and interest in services. Results from study 1 indicated that young adult caregivers adopted similar caregiving roles and factors linked to burden; however, they reported additional stressors such as higher rates of childcare and commuting to provide care. Compared to demographically matched-peers, young adult caregivers were more likely to work part-time and earn a substantially lower yearly income. Study 2 replicated original findings and revealed that young adult caregivers endorsed elevated attitudinal barriers to care and are the least likely age group to speak to physicians about caregiving. Overall, findings reveal the similarity in caregiving role that young adults take on, as well as several unique burden factors. Caregivers across age groups disclosed moderate treatment expectancy for support services, and all reported greater interest in online-based treatment. Young adult caregivers were more likely to take on responsibilities such as childrearing and employment, thus impacting their available time and financial support. However, these findings do not explain the overwhelming lack of young adult caregivers in research. Future studies should re-evaluate sampling methods and inclusion criteria, or explore more accessible means of intervention, such as web-based services.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007018, ucf:52027
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007018
- Title
- IS THE DOCTOR IN? THE EFFECTS OF EMIGRATION ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN POLAND AND ROMANIA.
- Creator
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Wolk, Gabriela B, Turcu, Anca, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The �brain drain� phenomenon encompasses the mass movement of highly educated individuals. Highly-skilled and well-educated migrants are moving to more developed and urban settings, often in search of a higher standard of living and better wages. Since joining the European Union and the Schengen Agreement, Poland and Romania have experienced significant emigration which has subsequently affected their health care systems. Motivations for emigrating from these two countries and the effects...
Show moreThe �brain drain� phenomenon encompasses the mass movement of highly educated individuals. Highly-skilled and well-educated migrants are moving to more developed and urban settings, often in search of a higher standard of living and better wages. Since joining the European Union and the Schengen Agreement, Poland and Romania have experienced significant emigration which has subsequently affected their health care systems. Motivations for emigrating from these two countries and the effects emigration has had on patients and other doctors will be considered. The paper also seeks to compare policy responses to the mass medical emigration phenomenon in both countries, as well as the outcomes of such policies. The main methodology of study throughout this project entails a comparative assessment of the governmental policy responses to brain drain. An analysis of Poland�s and Romania�s health care systems will be performed initially. The analysis includes details on the causes and factors that bring about migration, the impact that emigration has had on patients, how doctors remaining in the sending country are affected, and what social upheavals and unrest result from such emigration. Following, the levels and flows of migration are considered for each country, looking at the type of people leaving, whether educated or not, and the range of professions, with a focus on health professionals that are migrating from both countries. After an analysis has been performed for both countries, the results will be compared to one another, paying special attention to any differences and potential reasons for these differences.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000062, ucf:52903
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000062
- Title
- Three Studies Examining Auditors' Use of Data Analytics.
- Creator
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Koreff, Jared, Sutton, Steven, Arnold, Vicky, Baudot, Lisa, Brazel, Joe, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This dissertation comprises three studies, one qualitative and two experimental, that center on auditor's use of data analytics. Data analytics hold the potential for auditors to reallocate time spent on labor intensive tasks to judgment intensive tasks (Brown-Liburd et al. 2015), ultimately improving audit quality (Raphael 2017). Yet the availability of these tools does not guarantee that auditors will incorporate the data analytics into their judgments (Davis et al. 1989; Venkatesh et al....
Show moreThis dissertation comprises three studies, one qualitative and two experimental, that center on auditor's use of data analytics. Data analytics hold the potential for auditors to reallocate time spent on labor intensive tasks to judgment intensive tasks (Brown-Liburd et al. 2015), ultimately improving audit quality (Raphael 2017). Yet the availability of these tools does not guarantee that auditors will incorporate the data analytics into their judgments (Davis et al. 1989; Venkatesh et al. 2003). The first study investigates implications of using data analytics to structure the audit process for nonprofessionalized auditors. As the public accounting profession continues down a path of de-professionalization (Dirsmith et al. 2015), data analytics may increasingly be used as a control mechanism for guiding nonprofessionalized auditors' work tasks. Results of this study highlight negative ramifications of using nonprofessionalized auditors in a critical audit setting. The second study examines how different types of data analytics impact auditors' judgments. This study demonstrates the joint impact that the type of data analytical model and type of data analyzed have on auditors' judgments. This study contributes to the literature and practice by demonstrating that data analytics do not uniformly impact auditors' judgments. The third study examines how auditors' reliance on data analytics is impacted by the presentation source and level of risk identified. This study provide insights into the effectiveness of public accounting firms' development of data scientist groups to incorporate the data analytic skillset into audit teams.Collectively, these studies contribute to the literature by providing evidence on auditors' use of data analytics. Currently, the literature is limited to demonstrating that auditors are not effective at identifying patterns in data analytics visualizations when viewed before traditional audit evidence (Rose et al. 2017). The three studies in this dissertation highlight that not all data analytics influence judgments equally.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007210, ucf:52289
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007210
- Title
- THE EFFICACY OF A 6-WEEK EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA IN A PRIMARY CARE SETTING.
- Creator
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Shah, Mona, Paulson, Daniel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Extant literature has well documented the increased risk for physical, emotional, social and financial burden associated with caregiving. While intensive support groups may be well-suited to caregiver needs, they are often difficult to implement given financial, personnel and resource constraints. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a theoretically-based, 6-week...
Show moreMore than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Extant literature has well documented the increased risk for physical, emotional, social and financial burden associated with caregiving. While intensive support groups may be well-suited to caregiver needs, they are often difficult to implement given financial, personnel and resource constraints. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a theoretically-based, 6-week caregiver support group in a community primary care setting. The group focuses on self-care, behavior management techniques and interdisciplinary caregiver resources. A total of 22 participants completed the active caregiver support group and they were compared to 19 control participants who participated in community caregiver support groups. Participants on average were in their mid-60s, mostly female and Caucasian, and identified as either the care recipient's child or spouse. All participants completed self-report measures related to demographic information, caregiver preparedness (Caregiver Preparedness Scale), caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index), caregiver depressive symptoms (CESD-10), and care recipient's neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI-Q), at baseline and at 6-weeks. Participants in the active caregiver support group also completed a satisfaction survey. Results from two-way mixed ANCOVA analyses revealed a time by group interaction effect for caregiver preparedness, such that caregivers in the active group demonstrated a significant increase in mean caregiver preparedness scores while scores remained invariant for the control group. No significant main effects nor group by time interaction effects were found for caregiver strain, caregiver depressive symptoms and caregiver distress related to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Participants in the active caregiver support group rated being largely satisfied with the group. Results suggest that this 6-week caregiver support group may be a promising caregiver intervention that can be readily implemented and accessible in primary care clinics. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007370, ucf:52098
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007370
- Title
- EFFECTIVENESS OF PROBIOTICS IN PREVENTING ANTIBIOTIC ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA AND CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE IN LONG TERM CARE.
- Creator
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Edwards-Marshall, Marva, Wink, Dianne, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Purpose: Antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) and clostridium-difficile diarrhea (CDAD) are the most common forms of infectious diarrhea in long term care facilities. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of probiotics in preventing AAD and CDAD in the long term care geriatric population, and to identify interventions which can be used to improve clinical practice. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. The study population consisted of residents of a LTC...
Show morePurpose: Antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) and clostridium-difficile diarrhea (CDAD) are the most common forms of infectious diarrhea in long term care facilities. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of probiotics in preventing AAD and CDAD in the long term care geriatric population, and to identify interventions which can be used to improve clinical practice. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. The study population consisted of residents of a LTC facility who were sixty-five years of age and older who were administered antibiotic therapies with or without co-administration of probiotics. A data collection instrument which was created for this study was piloted prior to its use in the study. Chi-square test of independence and CochranÂÂ's Q were the proposed statistical analysis procedures used to determine relationships between variables. Results: Eighty-three residents received antibiotics. In the forty-four residents who were administered probiotic with antibiotic, five cases of diarrhea were reported. In the thirty-nine residents who received antibiotics without probiotics, two cases of diarrhea were reported. Analysis with chi-square test of independence comparing the relationship between antibiotic administration with and without probiotic and AAD prevention, was (X²(1) =1.041, p=0.308). No cases of CDAD were found in the group who received antibiotic (s) and a probiotic. One case of CDAD was found in the group which received no probiotic with the antibiotic. Analysis with chi-square test of independence comparing the relationship between antibiotic administration with or without probiotic and CDAD prevention was (X²(1) =1.142, p=0.285). Discussion/Implication: The results of this study showed no statistically significant evidence to support the effectiveness of probiotic use in the prevention of AAD or CDAD in this population. The incidence of AAD was higher in the group who received a probiotic at the time of antibiotic administration.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003281, ucf:48532
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003281
