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Remote Home Blood Pressure Monitoring for Management of Hypertension
Remote home blood pressure (BP) monitoring has the potential to improve patient engagement and adherence with the prescribed treatment plan for managing hypertension. This DNP project examined the effects of daily remote BP measurement using transmission of biometric data through a Bluetooth-equipped device paired to participants\u27 smartphones. The clinical management of a chronic condition such as hypertension is a long-term process, but the findings of this DNP project supported the empirical evidence showing that remote BP monitoring improves patient outcomes
Development of an Intervention for Optimizing Values Discussions between Patients with an LVAD, their Family Caregivers, and the Healthcare Team
This project aimed to characterize how adults living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and their family/friend caregivers engage in values-centered discussions, with the goal of informing future interventions that promote values-centered communication with the healthcare team
Telehealth: A Guideline and Toolkit for Implementation in a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed serious gaps in healthcare laws, policies, and technology and has severely disrupted the current delivery of healthcare services. Rural, underserved, and high-risk populations have suffered a harsh decline in needed healthcare services due to the United States’ lack of preparedness, insufficient personal protective equipment, lockdown orders, hospital closures, and fear. Telehealth has long been viewed as a solution to healthcare problems plaguing rural communities, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted telehealth into a new spotlight. Now, telehealth is viewed as a possible solution to continuing healthcare services all for patients as the United States continues to combat the novel virus, while protecting providers and patients alike
Psychological Stress and Coping Strategies among Nursing Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Nursing students encountered distinctive obstacles during their academic careers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in mental health concerns was the consequence of the pandemic, which necessitated numerous modifications to their daily routines. Subsequently, students have implemented distinct stress-management strategies that are contingent upon their individual perspectives. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the psychological stress levels and coping strategies employed by nursing students during this time. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was implemented online. The data were gathered through online surveys, which encompassed assessments of stress perception and coping strategies. The survey was divided into three sections: Part A collected demographic data, Part B employed the Perceived Stress Scale(PSS), and Part C employed the Coping Strategies Scale. Results: The study included a total of 220 respondents, who were between the ages of 18 and 25. Among undergraduate students, Year 4 had the maximum representation (35%), followed by Year 1 (22.2%), Years 2 and 3 (21.4%), and so forth. Moderate worry was reported by the majority of students (70.9%). The mean (±SD) score on the Perceived Stress Scale was 20.54 (±6.062), and the mean (±SD) score on the Coping Strategies Scale was 39.47 (±5.848). Conclusion: The study did not identify any correlation or impact between the perceived stress scale, coping strategies, or any of the sociodemographic factors among nursing students. The examination of these factors will enhance comprehension of the mental health obstacles encountered by nursing students during the pandemic. This information can guide the development of targeted interventions by healthcare providers and educational institutions, including stress management workshops, enhanced access to mental health resources, and modifications to curriculum delivery to more effectively support student well-being during future crises
Supporting Labor and Delivery Nurses Post-Trauma: Addressing Absenteeism and Retention in Practice
Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses frequently encounter traumatic workplace events that significantly impact their well-being, leading to increased absenteeism and intent to leave the profession (Kendall-Tackett & Beck, 2022; Uddin et al., 2022; Xie et al., 2021). This problem contributes to workforce instability and compromises patient care quality (Al Ismail et al., 2023). The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between traumatic events, absenteeism, and intent to leave among labor and delivery nurses while discussing strategies to address these challenges.I performed a mixed-methods study with a national sample of L&D nurses recruited from the Association of Women\u27s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) organization. Participants completed an online survey investigating whether organizational support correlates to absenteeism or intent to leave the profession. Additionally, qualitative interviews explored participants trauma experiences. Participants reported inadequate managerial support following such events, underscoring a critical gap in healthcare leadership contributing to high absenteeism and turnover rates. Findings indicate that hospital leadership has an essential role in mitigating absenteeism and retention issues emphasizing the importance of providing targeted support to nurses post-trauma.A significant focus of the presentation is the integration of these findings into DNP programs, especially for students preparing for leadership roles. The presentation proposes that DNP curricula include training on emotional intelligence, trauma-informed care, and creating supportive workplace cultures. By equipping future leaders with these skills, DNP programs can help ensure that hospital leadership is better prepared to address the emotional and psychological needs of their staff, ultimately reducing turnover and improving patient care (Frias et al., 2021). Practical suggestions for incorporating this focus into DNP programs are also discussed. The goal is to prepare DNP graduates to lead organizations that recognize and effectively address the importance of supporting their nursing staff.In conclusion, the presentation advocates for immediate action from current hospital leaders to support labor and delivery nurses and for the long-term integration of these principles into DNP programs. This dual approach aims to create healthier, more supportive workplace environments that foster nurse retention and improve patient outcomes
Healthcare Providers and the Lingering Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Purpose: To gain a better understanding of the experiences of healthcare providers caring for adult patients during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A descriptive, qualitative design was conducted using semi-structured interview questions. Eleven participants were recruited from a sample of 28 healthcare providers to participate in video interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.
Results: Healthcare providers experienced continued distress related to concerns about the long-term effects on themselves, their families, and society. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) exhausted and emotionally numb; (2) vaccinated versus the unvaccinated; and (3) stressors and misguided supports.
Conclusion: The lingering COVID-19 pandemic led to continued distress among healthcare providers. Themes highlight the challenges faced by healthcare providers as they continued to care for patients during the lingering pandemic. Leadership must continue to prioritize support for healthcare providers for the duration of healthcare disasters to promote quality of life, reduce burnout, and increase job satisfaction. Findings from this study can inform the development of much needed institutional support for front line healthcare providers during times of crisis
Path Analysis of Filipino Nurses\u27 Intent to Stay in the United Kingdom
Nature and Scope. Nurse attrition remains a significant issue in the UK, particularly among Filipino nurses, who form a substantial portion of the healthcare workforce.Research Method. This descriptive-correlational study utilized path analysis to identify the best-fit model for predicting the intent to stay among Filipino nurses in the UK, based on job embeddedness, sociocultural adaptation, and job satisfaction. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 553 respondents, all of whom were Filipino nurses of legal age, qualified to practice in the UK, and employed as registered nurses for at least one year in the public or private sector. Data were collected using four adopted research questionnaires and conducted online via Qualtrics XM from May 2024 to June 2024. The analysis included means, standard deviation, Pearson r, multiple regression analysis, and goodness of fit indices.Result. Results indicated high levels of job embeddedness (M=3.67; SD=0.774), sociocultural adaptation (M=3.61; SD=0.727), job satisfaction (M=3.67; SD=0.740), and intent to stay (M=3.59; SD=0.891). Significant positive correlations were found between job embeddedness (r=0.689, p \u3c 0.001), sociocultural adaptation (r=0.601, p \u3c 0.001), and job satisfaction (r=0.633, p \u3c 0.001) with intent to stay. Regression analysis demonstrated that job embeddedness (β=0.530, p \u3c 0.001), sociocultural adaptation (β=0.087, p \u3c 0.019), and job satisfaction (β=0.273, p \u3c 0.001) significantly influence the intent to stay. The goodness of fit indices for the best-fit model—CMIN/DF (2.254), P-value (\u3c0.001), NFI (0.998), TLI (0.999), CFI (0.999), GFI (0.998), RMSEA (0.048), and PCLOSE (0.423)—met acceptable thresholds, indicating a good fit.Conclusion. To enhance the intent to stay among Filipino nurses, it is recommended that nursing management in the UK focus on improving sociocultural adaptation, which in turn can enhance job embeddedness and job satisfaction
Contaminated Water and Health Inequities: A Review of Disparities in Low-Income Populations
What are the most reported healthcare disparities associated with exposure to contaminated water in low-income and under-resourced communities?
Objectives: To identify and analyze the most commonly reported healthcare disparities associated with exposure to contaminated water in low-income and under-resourced communities. This research aims to understand how environmental contamination disproportionately impacts healthcare access and outcomes in marginalized populations.
Background: Low-income and under-resourced communities are disproportionately affected by the ongoing global health threat of contaminated water exposure. Pollutants like heavy metals, pathogens, and industrial runoff cause preventable illnesses like skin infections, developmental disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. Systemic healthcare disparities, such as limited access to healthcare and environmental injustice, collide, exacerbating these health burdens. As such, individuals cannot ultimately have access to clean water, which leads to the deterioration of health. Although there is increased awareness, little is known about which disparities are most frequently attributed to contaminated water. To further advocate on this matter, we utilized R coding to examine global datasets with specific keywords, such as healthcare disparities and contaminated water, leading us to understand significant trends in socioeconomic and geographic vulnerability.
Methods: In this study, we gathered the Top 100 most cited articles from the Web of Science, focusing on topics such as the health effects of contaminated water, healthcare disparities, and inequities. We were able to identify commonly reported healthcare disparities associated with exposure to contaminated water by extracting and analyzing the articles. We first cleaned the collected articles with Excel. Then, created figures to represent the bibliometric history of the collected articles by using BiblioMetrix.
Results: Findings show that low-income and under-resourced communities face disproportionately high rates of waterborne diseases (such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid) due to exposure to contaminated water. These disparities are driven by limited infrastructure, poor sanitation, low health literacy, and inadequate access to healthcare. Environmental factors like climate change, runoff pollution, and proximity to hazardous sites further increase exposure risks. Socioeconomic and structural inequalities compound these effects, reinforcing a cycle of preventable illness in vulnerable populations. Figures 1 and 2 show that most of the top 100 cited papers on waterborne disease disparities come from a few senior authors and elite institutions. This suggests that the data on healthcare disparities from contaminated water may be shaped by limited academic perspectives. Since the research is concentrated in high-resource institutions, the lived experiences of low-income and under-resourced communities most affected by these disparities may be underrepresented. The results show that people in low-income and underserved communities often face worse health due to limited access to healthy food, quality healthcare, and language support, and these same challenges increase their risk from contaminated water. Poor infrastructure, low health literacy, and a lack of medical resources make it harder to prevent and treat waterborne diseases. Combined with environmental risks like proximity to pollution and underinvestment in public services, these conditions create a cycle of preventable illness, where exposure to unsafe water leads to higher rates of diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and other serious infections.
Conclusions: The research shows that people in low-income and under-sourced communities are more likely to suffer from health problems caused by contaminated water, such as diarrhea and other waterborne illnesses. These issues are made worse by limited access to clean water, healthcare, and education about health. On top of that, most of the studies found were done by researchers at wealthy institutions, which means the real-life experiences of those most affected might not be fully included in the research. To truly reduce these health disparities, we need better policies, stronger infrastructure, and more inclusive research that involves the voices of the communities impacted
Web-Based Tailored Psychoeducation for Advanced Cancer Patients in Indonesia
The purpose of this project is to provide a cost-effective means of expanding the reach of clinical care and facilitating efficient patient communication and support. eHealth can improve quality of life in patients and reduce healthcare costs as well as reduce travel time
Supports, Strategies and Self-Care for Interprofessional Frontline Leaders During COVID-19: Implications for Healthy Work Environments
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created tremendous strain across all healthcare sectors: ethical dilemmas, inadequate resources, uncertainty, threats to patient safety, and stress and fear in healthcare professionals. The experiences of frontline workers during COVID-19 are well documented however, there has been less attention on those who have held frontline leadership positions outside of nursing (Hartney et al., 2022). The multiple pandemic waves and subsequent impact on staff have revealed the critical role of frontline leaders across healthcare systems who inspire, encourage and support staff, in addition to maintaining care delivery to patients and families during this crisis (Bookey-Bassett et al. 2021). This study explored interprofessional first line healthcare leaders\u27 experiences of leading during the COVID-19 pandemic in various healthcare organizations in Ontario. In particular, the supports and strategies used by leaders to enact their roles during the crisis were elucidated.
Methods: This study was conducted during the third wave of the pandemic (May to August 2021) using a descriptive two-phase mixed methods sequential (quantitative & qualitative) design. Phase 1 used an electronic survey that was sent via email to first-line leaders in different health sectors in Ontario. Participants included healthcare leaders in roles such as nurse managers, professional practice leaders (e.g., occupational and physiotherapists), advanced practice nurses, and clinical educators. The focus of this presentation is on Phase 2 of the study where a subset (n=19) of the Phase 1 participants were interviewed to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences, including supports available to them as leaders, and strategies used to navigate challenges in leading throughout the pandemic including self-care. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and recorded via zoom to facilitate transcription and data analysis. Qualitative data from the transcripts were analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches to identify key themes and to answer the research questions.
Results: Leaders identified a variety of supports, strategies and self-care activities as being important to their ability to lead during the COVID-19 pandemic. Support available to leaders included: internal organizational support from peer frontline leaders, infection prevention and control staff, and senior leaders; employee assistance and wellness programs. External support included access to provincial databases and consultations. Strategies used to lead included networking, teamwork and collaborative leadership, advocacy and being flexible. Leaders described taking time for their own mental, physical and emotional health as key factors enabling them to continue to lead during the ongoing pandemic. These findings have important implications for establishing healthy work environments where leaders and their staff are supported