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Strengthening the Fight Against Human Trafficking: A Call to Action for Clinical Nurse Leaders
No full textAbstract: Human trafficking is a pervasive issue that poses a significant public health concern). A quality improvement project was conducted to address this issue using the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle at a large Mid-West level one emergency room. The project aimed to enhance the human trafficking screening process for registered nurses in and to identify innovative ways to provide resources to suspected victims. A SWOT analysis was conducted revealing a concerning lack of human trafficking screenings by registered nurses. Data extraction using the electronic health record (EHR) indicated limited screenings in practice. Stakeholder support was secured for a pilot modification to the EHR, along with resources to assist nurses in identifying potential victims. The modification to the EHR was a decision tool that prompts the nurse with a question, “Do you suspect this patient could be a victim of human trafficking?” If the nurse answers yes, the system will follow up with, “Is this patient alone and able to complete the human trafficking screening?” If the response is yes, the human trafficking screening will be made available. If the answer is no, a best practice advisory will suggest that the nurse conduct the screening when the patient is alone. To further support nurses, the project will include an educational session on the EHR modifications, in partnership with a local human trafficking task force expert. Additional resources include educational data graphs, resource binders, human trafficking/abuse signs in all patient bathrooms, and discreet materials displaying the human trafficking hotline number will were provided
Association of Demographic Factors with Tuberculosis Outcomes in the United States (2018-2022)
No full textPURPOSE: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health issue in the U.S., with disparities among demographic groups. This study analyzes associations between age, sex, race/ethnicity, and origin of birth with TB outcomes from 2018 to 2022 using CDC’s Online Tuberculosis Information System (OTIS) to identify TB disparities and inform public health interventions. SUBJECTS: A retrospective analysis of 26,375 TB cases reported between 2018 and 2022. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study assessed previous TB infection, pulmonary TB, and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) in relation to demographic factors. Descriptive statistics summarized TB case distributions, and statistical models were used to evaluate associations. ANALYSES: Chi-square tests examined categorical relationships, while logistic regression models assessed associations between demographic variables and TB outcomes, reporting odds ratios (ORs) and p-values. RESULTS: TB is disproportionately prevalent among non-U.S.-born individuals (74.0%), adults aged 45-64 years (30.9%), males (62.5%), Asians (37.7%), and Hispanics (30.8%). Older adults (≥65 years) had higher odds of previous TB infection compared with younger age groups. Pulmonary TB was more prevalent in males (64.46%) and significantly associated with U.S.-born individuals (OR = 1.633, p \u3c 0.0001). MDR-TB was significantly associated with younger age groups (15-24 years, OR = 3.776, p \u3c 0.0001), and prevalent in non-U.S.-born individuals (90.17%), and Asians (60.96%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the need for targeted public health interventions, including improving healthcare access, culturally competent care, and routine screening for high-risk groups. Policy-driven and community-based strategies are essential to reduce TB disparities and work toward eradication in the U.S
Emergent Models of Place-Based Philanthropy: A Review of Six Foundations’ Initiatives
Full text linkTraditional approaches to place-based philanthropy, including comprehensive community initiatives (CCIs), are characterized by four design features: 1) a centralized stakeholder group that serves as the primary nexus for the foundation’s engagement; 2) an extensive planning process on the front end; 3) the planning group’s initial strategy serves as the basis for the foundation’s investments throughout the initiative; and 4) foundation staff play a largely transactional role in reviewing proposals, awarding grants and monitoring progress. This linear, structured approach to community change has had only limited success over 30 years of foundation practice.
In response, a growing number of foundations have been experimenting with a more emergent place-based model. In this approach, the projects pursued by local actors evolve over the course of the initiative. Foundation staff cultivate this work and are deeply engaged with a wide range of local actors rather than focusing on a single planning entity. This article summarizes evaluation data from six foundations that have worked in this way: The California Endowment, the Clinton Foundation, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, The Ford Family Foundation, The Colorado Trust, and The Colorado Health Foundation.
The available evaluations indicate that the six initiatives have each stimulated a broad range of local actors to step out into new work. In many communities, their work is expanding and diversifying the base of local leaders and setting the stage for more fundamental forms of community change. These actors are creating more effective systems and are beginning to reorient local institutions to be responsive to all community segments. In a few instances, the evaluation reports point to at least the beginnings of a shift in local power dynamics. In some communities, the culture is shifting in ways that promote resilience, inclusivity, and equity.
The results are discussed with regard to both the extra value that foundations add by operating in a cultivating mode and the question of how much communitywide impact they can achieve with even the highest functioning place-based initiative
How Sexism Affects Women in Healthcare and Medical Training In The United States and The United Kingdom
Full text linkThis in-depth secondary research was performed to review existing literature about how sexism affects women in healthcare and medical training in the United States and the United Kingdom. Despite previous legislation passed to limit sexism and sexual harassment in both countries, sexism and sexual harassment are still relevant today, especially in the medical and healthcare field. In fact, despite a continued increase of women in medicine, 91% of qualified female health professionals have experienced sexism at work and 54% of both male and female health professionals believe that sexism acts as a barrier to career progression (BMA, 2024). Based on previous research performed about sexism towards women in the healthcare setting and medical education, I have identified four themes: sexual harassment in the occupational setting, sexual harassment in the educational setting, male-dominated vs. female-dominated specialties, and gender stereotyping. The patriarchal system of healthcare and medical training should be challenged and prompted to change the workplace and educational environments to advance gender equality for women physicians and medical students. Women are allowed in healthcare occupations and admitted to medical schools, but the medicine field still reflects gender bias
LGBTQ+ History Research Tutorial
No full textThis RISE tutorial guides students through some of the most useful sources when doing research on LGBTQ+ history. It discusses where these can be found, how to identify primary vs secondary sources, and how to begin searching within them. Small activities are embedded throughout. Has been used to support students doing research for classes in WGS, INT, and ITC
Client Perceptions of Successful Lymphedema Management
No full textLymphedema is a chronic, progressive condition that negatively impacts daily life. It occurs when there is damage to the lymphatic system, resulting in poor movement of lymphatic fluid throughout the body. Existing research on effective lymphedema management is conducted primarily from the health professionals’ point of view and centers around actions taken by healthcare professionals to help clients manage lymphedema. There is limited research concerning client perceptions of or client directed actions that foster successful lymphedema management. This study saught to gather client perceptions on what it means to successfully manage lymphedema, identify client strategies and therapist interventions that contribute most to client perceptions of long-term success following discharge from lymphedema therapy, as well as identify factors that seem to detract from a client’s ability to successfully manage lymphedema in the long-term following discharge from lymphedema therapy. A cross-sectional, mixed methods survey design was employed. Twenty-one individuals who met the inclusion criteria anonymously completed the survey. Results demonstrate that the majority of respondents viewed managing symptoms as an essential component of long-term successful management. Daily compression was identified as a common strategy clients implement to successfully manage lymphedema, which is consistent with existing literature regarding healthcare professional recommendations. Future research should include a larger sample size, as the challenge of accessing individuals with lymphedema proved to be a limitation of this study. A larger sample size would enhance generalizability of the findings to a larger population
Evaluating Efforts to Shift Power Through Listening: Defining Power and Listening to All Sides
Full text linkThere are a variety of ways funders and nonprofits are trying to shift the power dynamics between those who typically have held it (i.e., funders and organizations) to those who have unique and important expertise: those most affected by the problems the social sector is trying to solve.
In this article, we share lessons from two evaluations that sought to understand how those who were being listened to experienced the listening process, exploring the degree to which people felt heard and their experiences of how, and in what ways, power shifted for them. One evaluation focused on the experiences of individuals who had given feedback to nonprofits serving them. While this evaluation focused on nonprofit organizations, we believe the lessons learned about how feedback and the act of listening itself influenced organizational change and advanced equity within organizations has relevance for funders, as well. In the second, we explicitly explored questions of power-shifting with participants in and grantees of a participatory grantmaking initiative.
By looking across these two sets of evaluation findings, we elevate ways of thinking about power, as well as new considerations and implications for funders who seek to listen to the people most impacted by the problems they are working on
The Need for Specialized Career Development Services for Collegiate Student-Athletes
Full text linkResearch has shown that college students benefit greatly from career development services provided by their university (Bridgstock et al., 2019). However, many collegiate student-athletes may find it difficult to utilize their on-campus career development resources due to additional time constraints, stress and pressure, and struggle with athletic identity (Carodine et al., 2001). This project explores the importance of specialized career development support for student-athletes at collegiate universities as specialized career development services have been shown to benefit students (Patton & McMahon, 2021). This project will introduce career development services to help student-athletes as well as provide the tools to evaluate these services and adapt them for the needs of the student-athletes
Fostering Academic, Social-Emotional, and Civic Growth Through Discussion-Based Pedagogy in Secondary Classrooms
Full text linkDiscussion-based pedagogy provides students with opportunities to practice collaborative and critical thinking skills that have proven impactful on reading and writing scores, interpersonal communication skills, and civic engagement. However, inexperienced discussion facilitators—as well as instructors who may not have clear purposes or objectives for discussion in their classrooms—may not be familiar with best practices and strategies for structuring rigorous, equitable, and engaging student talk. This project begins by investigating potential factors contributing to students\u27 lack of interpersonal skills in the classroom, and ultimately identifies discussion-based pedagogy as a key solution. A theoretical basis for the merits of discursive learning is given, followed by a review of relevant literature. The project itself comprises a professional development presentation in which meaningful instructional strategies are explored, followed by a guided teacher observation, video-recorded lesson, reflection, and small-group discussion. By introducing (or reviewing) these instructional strategies, then observing master facilitators, reflecting on their practice, and sharing these reflections, teachers will be equipped to support their students’ academic growth, social-emotional development, and civic readiness