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Health Careers Exploration Club Executive Summary
Get PDFThis executive summary is in partial fulfillment of the DNPD.N.P
Listen, Breathe, Move – A Pilot Workshop for informal/family caregivers
No full textINTRODUCTION: The project seeks to pilot a virtually delivered single session workshop to informal/family caregivers (ICGs) incorporating yoga and music therapy. The purpose of the workshop is to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of this novel intervention, which involves combined yoga physical activity and music therapy techniques for guided breathing and relaxation of ICG of adult care receivers (defined as over 18 years of age). ICGs have been noted to experience decreased physical and psychological wellbeing due to the complex demands of their care duties. This workshop seeks to combine techniques from evidenced-based practices to understand more fully the potential acceptance and participation of this population to inform future intervention delivery with a more robust sample size. METHODS: The pilot seeks to deliver the workshop one or two times (max N=10 per session) with participants attending one session. The session will be delivered synchronously via teleconferencing platform with introductory yoga led by a physical activity interventionist and music for guided breathing and music-assisted relaxation led by a music therapy student research assistant. Participants will complete pre test measures including demographic information, caregiving duty information, engagement in music, engagement in physical activity, WHO-5 wellbeing, Health related quality of life (HQoL), and post test measures including WHO-5 wellbeing, HQoL, and perception of the intervention
Dentists and HPV Prevention: Understanding how Dental Health Providers can help reduce HPV related Head and Neck Cancers
No full textThis project involves the research into understanding how dental health providers may play a role in facilitating HPV vaccination uptake for under-vaccinated populations. This study's objective is to develop and assess the feasibility of a model for collaborative and effective HPV prevention strategies between dental practices (CSLCs) and co-located health clinics (FQHCs). Specifically, the part of the study I worked on sought to understand patient perspectives about engaging in HPV prevention with their dental provider. A 31-item quantitative survey was developed to understand patients’ perspective in terms of dental health providers’ role in HPV prevention and their trust in dental providers as a valid source of HPV prevention information. Survey items included questions pertaining to HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, demographics, family and personal HPV vaccine status, opinions regarding the qualification of dental providers educating patients on the vaccine, as well as patients’ comfort levels and willingness to receive more information about vaccination from dental providers. When asked if they had received an HPV vaccine, 65% of participants answered no, while 11% were unsure if they had or had not been administered a vaccine. Over half, 53% reported they were not sure if HPV had the potential to cause head and neck cancer. 83% of patients said they would feel at least somewhat comfortable discussing the HPV vaccine with their dentist. Out of the participants that had children, 65% expressed they would be at least somewhat comfortable with a dentist talking to their child bout the HPV vaccine. 53% stated they would be open to their dental office providing them with a referral to a physician to get an HPV vaccine. These results, along with a multitude of other findings, strongly suggest a need for educating patients on the HPV vaccine, as well as an inclination among patients to seek guidance for themselves or their family members regarding vaccination
EXPLORING HEAD START TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF SCIENCE IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION
No full textThe lowest-performing learning domain, particularly among low-income families, has been identified as science education. Preschool science education has advantages that are well known, but more research is needed to understand how Head Start (HS) teachers use and view preschool science and how this impacts their teaching methods. Utilizing the constructs of phenomenology, thirty-five in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with HS teachers from 16 counties across the three regions of North Carolina. Researchers identified significant statements through open coding which were categorized into themes informed by Expectancy Value Theory. Teachers reported several motivators (personal values, previous experiences, child engagement, etc.) and barriers (limited resources, perceived lack of support, competing domains, etc.) as they relate to science education. Most teachers expressed value for science in early years but many expressed hesitancies when approaching the subject. Implications of the findings for HS and the field of early childhood care and education have been discussed in greater detail
Portrayals of Child Survivors of Sexual Abuse in “Roberto” and “Tierra” by Agustina Bazterrica
No full textThis thesis aims to compare and contrast the short stories of "Roberto" and "Tierra" from the collection Diecinueve garras y un pájaro oscuro by Agustina Bazterrica. Both of these stories portray the narratives of sexually abused young girls. Through analyzing these works, this thesis seeks to discover how the portrayals of the victims represents the culture related to sexual abuse both in Argentina and around the world. A close literary reading is used to explore the symbolism in the stories. The psychological aspects of these stories are also explored. Through the combination of these critical lenses, I propose potential interpretations for these open-ended stories
Improving mental well-being through culture-specific outdoor learning: A mixed-methods study
No full textBackground: Green prescriptions--nature-based interventions to improve human health--are becoming increasingly popular. Research has highlighted a need for inclusion of culture in green prescriptions as how humans conceive of and engage with nature is informed by culture. This project aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a culture-specific outdoor learning program in improving mental well-being. Methods: The biopsychosocial model guided this phenomenological concurrent mixed-method study. A purposive sample of participants (n=32) of the Shieling Project were recruited to participate in an immersive 6-day Gaelic culture-specific outdoor learning program in Scotland, UK. Data collection occurred from June 27 to September 3, 2022. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were collected at baseline and end of project, using four well-established instruments--the Self-Connection Scale (SCS), the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R), the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale (INS), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Thematic and content analyses were conducted for qualitative data. Paired t-tests and Pearson correlation were used to analyze quantitative data. Triangulation was conducted of thematic analysis with content analysis. Content analysis was triangulated with quantitative results to assess for convergence. Results: Thematic analyses showed four key themes regarding the culture-specific impact of the program: importance of traditional knowledge, positive value of traditional ways of living, history, and personal values. Content analyses showed that all participants (100%) reported that their mental well-being and nature connectedness were improved after participation; 92% of them reported improvement in social connectedness, and 44% reported improvement in self-connectedness. Paired t-tests showed significant improvements in mental well-being from baseline to follow-up: SCS-R from 69.3 to 77.7, INS from 4.8 to 5.5, WEMWBS from 48.7 to 53.7 (all p<0.001), and SCS scores increased from 57.6 to 60.4 (p=0.007). Triangulation of thematic analysis with content analysis indicated 20 different connections between culture-specific design and desired impacts of intervention. Conclusion: The Shieling Project is an effective green prescription in improving mental well-being and provides a template for culture-specific program design that includes outdoor living, communal living, simplicity, and traditional skills. Culture-specific green prescriptions may serve to address current concerns of equitable access and minimization of reductionistic approaches to green prescriptions. Furthermore, this project contributed innovative approaches to meet the needs for mental healthcare, including the value of short-term immersive programming
THE BRIDGE: HOW AN INNOVATIVE, COLLABORATIVE TEAM OF PRINCIPALS AND CURRICULUM SPECIALISTS SUPPORTS EQUITABLE INSTRUCTION IN SECONDARY CORE CLASSROOMS
No full textAt the heart of all educational leadership is the desire to ultimately improve outcomes for students. After observing the ongoing process of principals and curriculum specialists supporting this effort in silos, I recognized a need to develop a collaborative framework, a bridge, to support instructional initiatives. The research study explores the collaborative efforts of school leaders and curriculum specialists in supporting equitable instruction in secondary core classrooms through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) framework. Being a former school principal turned district leader, I identified the need for a collaborative structure to enhance instructional initiatives. The Focus of Practice (FoP) centers on strategies employed by principals and curriculum specialists to bridge the instructional gap to better support teachers, thus students. Four co-practitioner researchers (CPR) that included two secondary principals and two secondary district curriculum specialists who actively sought insight from various educational leaders partnered in the study. The site of the study was an eastern North Carolina school district serving over 23,000 students. The study extends over three iterative cycles, incorporating 1-1 interviews, mini-Community Learning Exchanges, professional learning opportunities, and monitoring visits to promote collaborative practice among educational colleagues. Findings from the 18-month inquiry reveal three strategies, analogous to a bridge: constructing meaningful relationships, connecting strong and supportive instructional communities, and creating a pathway for continuous learning. These strategies promote collaborative effort to foster improved instructional practices. The study emphasizes the significance of collaborative work between school leaders and curriculum specialists, highlighting the positive impact on student outcomes. The study concludes with a call for educational leaders to build bridges in their instructional efforts with the support of district leadership. The implications for practice and research extend beyond local contexts to educational policies and the broader field, emphasizing the importance of collective efficacy for the ultimate goal of improved student outcomes
Spatial variation of fracture development during folding of a silty sandstone, West Virginia
No full textUnderstanding the evolution of fracture systems in response to progressive folding is crucial for developing structural and hydrogeologic models of these systems. Depending on their specific characteristics, fractures, such as joints and veins can either enhance or detract from permeability within a lithologic layer. Correctly quantifying the specific character such as density of fractures, connectivity, composition, and orientations in geologic media is key to fully understanding subsurface fluid resources. This project aims to add to the discussion on field methodology and findings relevant to fracture characterization by analyzing a sedimentary unit fractured during basin development and folding as a consequence of the Paleozoic Alleghanian orogeny. The Appalachian Basin is a 2000-kilometer long retroarc basin with millions of cubic kilometers of Paleozoic sediment stored in the geologic record. At the westernmost extent of major regional Alleghanian-age deformation in the basin, the structural setting provides an opportunity to investigate how mechanical strength and regional stresses interact to form fractures in sedimentary strata. Deformation of the Chemung Formation, an Upper Devonian mixed siliciclastic unit, was investigated over a 40 km cross section across westernmost Maryland and northeastern West Virginia. The cross section extends through variably folded Paleozoic strata across three fault-bounded structural domains. In total, measurements were taken at 27 individual locations for fractures, lithologic properties, in-situ mechanical strength, and bedding thickness. Additionally, 8 stations were selected for thin section study. All fractures observed in the field were quantified and described using a rapid orientation measurement method which allows for simultaneous collection of quantity and orientation data for a specific bedding unit. In the field measurements of layer mechanical strength were taken using a Schmidt hammer. Stratigraphic data collection included bedding orientation, layer thickness, and qualitative analysis of local folding. Fracture density was later calculated by determining the number of fractures (joints) per square meter of measured beds. The directionality and intensity of Alleghanian folding strongly influences the specific fracture populations present across the study area. The main structural zones studied are, with increasing strain, the Allegheny Plateau, Broadtop Synclinorium, and the Wills Mountain Anticlinorium. The structural zones are separated by significant, kilometer-scale fault and fold systems. Throughout the study area, higher intensity folding generally results in higher fracture density and more strongly clustered joint orientations compared to a relatively low-strain control zone selected for this study. This study further supports previous workers' conclusions that mechanical layer thickness and structural setting are key controls on fracture density. Across the Chemung Formation, joint densities ranged from 5 to 50 per square meter. In general, joint and vein density increases to the southeast- consistent with regional strain studies- toward the core of the fold and thrust belt, although outcrop observations suggest the Wills Mountain Anticlinorium, the most inboard manifestation of orogenic forcing has been more heavily fractured than the passively folded Broadtop Anticlinorium to the southeast. As folding increases, joint orientations become more strongly controlled by the orientation of the regional scale fold axes. This study also found that meter and smaller-scale folds had minimal impact on local fracture characteristics
A Closer Look at Mothers and Healthcare in Rural NC
No full textIn rural areas, there is a big health disparity that exists for individuals. Specifically, for maternal and child health, there are even fewer resources available to new mothers during their pregnancy and early motherhood. The importance of comprehensive and effective maternal and child healthcare in these areas should be a priority. The purpose of this study is to conduct a qualitative study of mothers in rural areas of North Carolina to gather information about their experiences during their pregnancies and how healthcare could improve. The study will explore anecdotes from these mothers and learn about the struggles of accessing healthcare in these remote areas. By telling the stories of these mothers, I hope to spread awareness of how poor healthcare delivery and access are in some parts of this country. The interviews will be filmed and edited into a creative video project to showcase the data collected from this study. Each woman will have a chance to tell her story through a one-on-one interview. My role will be lead researcher which includes finding participants, conducting interviews, reviewing data, and creating the video. Based on prelimiary data and information collection, I have found results that both support positive healthcare practices and highlight negative healthcare practices. Currently, I have completed 14 interviews and have gathered stories from multiple races and ethnicities who have given birth in Eastern NC. Long term, this project can gain the attention of future healthcare providers to showcase this target population and encourage small changes in how healthcare can be delivered and accessed in rural areas
