1697 research outputs found
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Instruction in a Classroom, undated
No full textThis photo features a speaker addressing a group of students in a classroom.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ymca/1018/thumbnail.jp
Transforming VITA: A Virtual Model for Tax Preparation, Student Engagement, and Recruitment
Full text linkFranklin University has run the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for over a decade, offering free tax preparation and experiential learning for students. In response to COVID 19, the program switched to a successful hybrid model, allowing clients to avoid on site waits and offering students more feedback during virtual reviews. Additionally, high school students now assist with intake, helping clients complete forms and upload documents securely. This model introduces high schoolers to accounting, fostering interest in the field
Improving Provider Documentation for Procedure Authorizations: A Nursing Perspective on Enhancing Outcomes and Compliance
Full text linkInsurance denials resulting from non-standardized documentation and communication gaps in the prior authorization process adversely impacted financial performance and patient care within the electrophysiology (EP) department of a large Midwest academic medical center. High denial rates for costly procedures revealed a need for improved alignment with payer medical necessity criteria. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance provider documentation, reduce denials, improve care delivery, and increase revenue by implementing standardized documentation templates. A review of the literature supports that standardized documentation and clinical decision support tools enhance consistency, reduce errors, and improve prior authorization success rates. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model and OhioHealth’s Organizational Change Management (OHCM) framework, standardized smart phrase templates were developed and embedded into the electronic medical record (EMR). Sixteen providers received training, and implementation was supported through weekly feedback and data monitoring over a 12-week period. Outcomes included a 49% reduction in denials (from 69 to 34 cases), increased provider compliance (81% by week 12 and 100% by week 21), and $2.38 million in recovered revenue. The intervention has been sustained through permanent EMR integration and planned quarterly audits. This initiative highlights the critical leadership role of advanced practice nurses in documentation optimization, promoting timely care, financial stewardship, and alignment with the IHI Triple Aim and Institute of Medicine’s Six Aims
Improving Medication Nonadherence in Clients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Using Medication Reminder Applications
Full text linkAt an outpatient clinic in Southern California, a 77% medication adherence rate was observed in August 2024 among clients with ADHD. Medication nonadherence in ADHD clients may result in difficulty reaching therapeutic levels, leading to adverse outcomes, such as family disruptions, substance addiction, injuries, criminal occurrences, and even suicide. The project aims to reduce the number of ADHD clients who are noncompliant with their medications and surpass the national benchmark of 80% medication adherence. Evidence has suggested that MRAs may improve medication nonadherence among ADHD clients. Current research has supported the use of MRAs for various chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The Plan-Do-Study-Act framework was used to resolve problems that occurred during implementation, and small tests of change were conducted to improve the accuracy of the results. The clients who participated in the project were adolescents and adults. Geriatric clients were excluded from the project. Nurse practitioners distributed the MRA educational flyers and followed up with each client in 30 days. A total of 22 clients returned for their 30-day follow-up appointment. One client didn’t refill their medication, and another reported a stoppage in their medication. The results were a 91% medication adherence rate for March 2025, a 14% improvement from the initial adherence rate in August 2024. The use of MRAs is a patient-centered, evidence-based approach that focuses on improving treatment outcomes and safety. Nurses should consider using this quality improvement tool in other specialties. An electronic distribution method to deliver the MRA can improve operational efficiency
Utilizing the Patient Health Questionnaire in a Family Practice Clinic to Enhance Clinical Benchmarks
Full text linkProblem: About one-third of the 129 million chronically ill patients in the United States experience persistent depressive symptoms. Approximately 300 of 500 (60%) chronically ill patients treated at the project site each month show signs of depression, indicating a higher prevalence than the national rate of 33.33%. Despite the critical role of family practice in identifying and managing depression, many patients are not adequately screened, leading to missed opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment. The project site does not use the digitized PHQ screening tool to screen patients for depression. An analysis of patient charts revealed that, out of about 1800 patients diagnosed with depression at the project site over the past six months, only 828 (46%) were screened using the manual PHQ, resulting in very low Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) scores. High adherence to HEDIS depression measures is often associated with better overall care and higher patient satisfaction scores. Meeting HEDIS scores will support increased reimbursement rates, performance-based bonuses, and value-based care incentives from most insurance companies.
Aim of the Project: The overarching aim of the quality improvement project was to implement the PHQ screening tool in a family practice clinic to enhance HEDIS depression scores.
Review of the Evidence: Several studies have validated the PHQ screening tool as an effective and efficient method for assessing depression in outpatient family practice clinics. According to Gómez-Gómez et al. (2023), the PHQ has a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 90% for major depression. Moreover, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommends routine screening for individuals aged 12 and older, with appropriate follow-up intervention (Costantini et al., 2021). A comprehensive screening approach that integrates the PHQ into the electronic health record (EHR) system, along with systematic and routine follow-up screening and assessment, can significantly improve depression detection and contribute to higher HEDIS scores.
Project Design: The quality improvement project was designed in a family practice clinic outpatient setting with a diverse patient population, including those with acute and chronic diseases. The purpose is to evaluate and implement the PHQ screening tool for depression screening to enhance clinical benchmarking and performance for HEDIS measures. The framework utilized is the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, as well as the OhioHealth Change Management model.
Intervention: The intervention involved three clinical providers, including nurses and a medical assistant. It involved integrating the PHQ screening tool into the electronic health record (EHR) as part of the standardized intake process for patients aged 12 and older with acute or chronic conditions. Patients who screened positive (PHQ-2 score ≥ 3) were promptly administered the PHQ-9 by nurses or the clinical provider during the same encounter. The workflow was reinforced through daily and weekly huddles, staff training, and accurate documentation of ICD-10 codes in the EHR, ensuring proper capture of ICD-10 codes for quality metrics, HEDIS measures review, follow-up plans, and treatment interventions.
Significant Findings/Outcomes: The depression screening rate increased from less than 46% to 93.86%, the depression detection rate increased from less than 10% to 91.2%, and patient follow-up rates increased from less than 45% to 98.13% surpassing the HEDIS benchmark of 85%.
Implications for Nursing: The PHQ screening tool is an evidence-based intervention that can significantly enhance depression screening and detection, as well as improve patient follow-up rates, ultimately leading to better HEDIS scores. Nurses play a vital role in the screening process, supporting clinical diagnosis and enhancing clinical outcomes
Leadership Across Demographics: Exploring the Effects of Minority and Non-Minority Leaders on Workplace Outcomes
No full textThis study examines the relationship between organizational culture, employee performance, and leadership styles, with a specific focus on minority women leaders in the workplace. Using a qualitative approach, the research employed an open-ended survey with Likert-scale items, to collect and analyze the data that were gathered. The study categorized leadership styles based on gender and minority status, exploring how these factors influence employee performance and job satisfaction. By addressing gaps in existing literature, this research identified unique leadership styles of minority women and other groups. Participants included leaders and employees from all demographic groups, including non-minority men, minority men, and non-minority women, to facilitate comparisons across leadership styles. A combination of snowball and convenience sampling yielded an initial sample size of 106, which was reduced to 86 participants after data were cleaned. Thematic findings show that while there is no difference in leadership styles based on demographics such as race and gender, these different groups have unique characteristics in the way they lead. Practical implications of the findings are discussed
Night View of Phillips Hall, undated
No full textThis photo features students at night in Phillips Hall.https://fuse.franklin.edu/phillipshall/1005/thumbnail.jp
Murphy’s Canon: Leadership in the Age of Uncertainty
Full text linkHow might the nefarious “Murphy’s Law,” allegedly created by a disgruntled American aerospace engineer in the 1950s, apply in today’s chaotic world? Just how applicable is the law now in a new era that has been characterized by the descriptive label of FUD, or Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt? This paper will explore the infamous Murphy adage, as well as describe who Murphy was and how he came to formulate his cheeky directive. Additionally, this piece will expand on Murphy’s original provocative rule, feature several versions of it, provide alternative formulations, and discuss how the law might be reinterpreted to more currently apply. It will also offer an updated set of canons that may be more appropriate to this historical time and place. This article will also provide like-minded parallels to the ongoing revolution in leadership thinking that has occurred since Murphy first offered his dark humor observations on the world of work. In addition, this paper will note some key “then and now” differences from a practicing leader’s perspective, and conclude with a discussion of key findings, strategies for improvement and consider the value of balancing optimism and realism in a time of pron0unced uncertainty
A Qualitative Study: How K-12 Teachers Observe Their Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Emotional Intelligence to Influence the Seven Tenets of Teacher Self-Efficacy
No full textSuccessful educators are knowledgeable in their content area, effective in pedagogical practices, and possess strong emotional intelligence. Teachers must aim to continually grow in pedagogical content knowledge and emotional intelligence because these components impact teacher self-efficacy, which is positively linked to student success. This study explores how K-12 teachers observe their pedagogical content knowledge and emotional intelligence to influence their teacher self-efficacy. Employing a qualitative research approach, in-person interviews were conducted with 28 K-12 teachers. Results revealed three themes: (1) K-12 teachers observe pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) impacts two tenets of teacher self-efficacy: student engagement and assessment and feedback; (2) K-12 teachers observe emotional intelligence (EI) impacts one tenet of teacher self-efficacy: self-reflection and resilience; and (3) K-12 teachers observe their PCK and EI impact their ability to adapt to the needs of students in the classroom. These findings signify that leaders foster the development of PCK in teachers because PCK improves teachers’ abilities to engage students, provide beneficial student assessment and feedback, and promote adaptability. The discoveries also indicate that leaders foster healthy emotional intelligence in teachers because EI impacts teacher self-reflection, resilience, and adaptability. These conclusions suggest that intentional professional development, provision of time and resources for teachers, and cultivating a learning-focused culture are essential for improving teacher self-efficacy and boosting student outcomes. This study provides insight for K-12 school administrators and university educational programs