21368 research outputs found
Sort by
Lived Oral Health Experiences of Syrian Refugees in the United States
Get PDFThe oral health status of Syrian refugees has been impacted by war and displacement since the 2011 civil war. To date, limited in-depth knowledge is available on oral health experiences of resettled Syrian refugees in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore lived oral health experiences of resettled Syrian refugees before, during, and after the 2011 Syrian civil war. The health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) were theoretical frameworks for this phenomenological inquiry. The study was guided by semi-structured phone interviews with a purposeful sample of 11 Syrian refugees over the age of 18 years. Thematic analysis was used to answer three research questions. This study examined how oral health knowledge, attitudes and perceptions, along with social and cultural beliefs and practices influence oral health behaviors and outcomes. Results highlight oral health behavior patterns of a small subset of the Syrian refugee population, the barriers encountered when accessing oral health services during periods of transition (war, displacement, and resettlement), and the positive shift in attitudes and behaviors post-resettlement in the U.S. leading to implications for positive social change. Findings highlight a need for oral health screenings for Syrian refugees with culturally-appropriate assistance for navigating oral healthcare in the United States. Recommendations include accessible and affordable oral healthcare programs and services for resettled Syrian refugees. Future research should focus on lived oral health experiences of refugees with similar backgrounds to inform comprehensive oral health policies for all refugees, regardless of their country of origin
Strategies to Mitigate Supply Chain Disruptions in Small Restaurant Business
Get PDFSupply chain disruptions can impact the operational capability of small restaurant businesses, thereby affecting their financial health. Some small restaurant supply chain managers lack effective strategies to manage supply chain disruptions. Grounded in Oliver and Webber’s supply chain management theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies small restaurant supply chain managers use to manage supply chain disruptions. The participants were 10 small restaurant supply chain managers located in Baltimore who effectively mitigated the effects of at least one significant supply chain disruption. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and publicly available documents and reports. Through thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (a) employ resource and operational management, (b) apply procurement flexibility, and (c) maintain relationships and communication channels. A key recommendation for small restaurant supply chain managers is to employ proactive, relationship-driven, and flexible supply chain strategies to reduce disruptions in businesses. The implications for positive social change include the potential for small business owners and local policymakers to implement these strategies to improve supply chain resilience and reduce operational disruptions
Staff Education on Evidence-Based Practice on External Factors That Impact Management of Chronic Hypertension in African American Patients
Get PDFThis doctoral staff education project was developed to address a significant gap in nursing practice, specifically the limited knowledge of outpatient clinical staff regarding cultural, social, and health literacy factors that influence the management of chronic hypertension in African American (AA) patients. Through this project, I aimed to equip clinical staff with evidence-based, culturally competent strategies to promote equitable, patient-centered care. This project was guided by the following practice-focused question: Can an evidence-based practice educational session on how external factors impact the management of chronic hypertension in the AA population enhance staff knowledge and understanding? Using the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation instructional design framework, I created a structured training program delivered in an outpatient internal medicine clinic. The program involved eight clinical staff members who participated in an educational session that included presentations, case studies, and interactive learning activities. I used pre- and posttest assessments to measure changes in participant knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital learning gain formula. Results indicated an average learning gain of 56.8%, demonstrating an improvement in staff knowledge. In this project, I developed culturally responsive educational materials, evaluation tools, and a replicable training module based on the Healthcare Provider Cultural Competence Instrument (HPCCI). The project promotes the integration of cultural competence into clinical education to enhance care quality; advance equity, address cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic factors; and reduce health disparities among underserved populations
Integrating E-Commerce to Reduce Postharvest Losses in Rural Cameroon
Get PDFE-commerce has the potential of assisting the agriculture market to curb postharvest losses by connecting new and existing customers to agricultural products more efficiently. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of successful farmers in rural Cameroon to obtain insights into the e-commerce factors and strategies they use to manage and reduce postharvest losses. The study sample was 20 rural Cameroonian farmers using e-commerce in reducing postharvest losses. The conceptual framework for this study was Rogers’s diffusion of innovation theory. The data collection occurred through virtual interviews with the participants and their responses were recorded. Data issued from the interview sessions provided insights that addressed the research question which was focused on understanding lived experiences of successful farmers in rural Cameroon to obtain insights into the e-commerce factors and strategies they use to manage and reduce postharvest losses. The analysis of data using constant comparison of participant answers to the 20 open-ended interviews revealed the following themes: (a) factors and strategies in the adoption of e-commerce in managing postharvest losses by rural Cameroonian farmers; (b) perishability of produces; (c) the benefits of integrating e-commerce in postharvest loss management; (d) strategies to develop e-commerce in rural Cameroon; and (e) tools for successful e-commerce. This study indicated that incorporating e-commerce strategies leads to high yields of farm products. Using appropriate e-commerce technologies to reduce postharvest losses causes a positive social change in the farmers’ families as they can avoid food waste and have sustainable food security
Staff Education Program on Utilizing Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Manage Aggression Among Psychiatric Patients
Get PDFThe staff education project aimed to address the gap in practice regarding the management of aggression in psychiatric patients at a local mental health clinic. Approximately 40% of the clinic’s patient population exhibited aggressive behaviors, including verbal threats, and physical altercations. However, nurses primarily relied on pharmacological interventions and physical restraints to manage these behaviors, which failed to address underlying causes, such as psychiatric conditions and environmental stressors. A review of the literature demonstrated strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions, with studies highlighting how structured training programs significantly reduced aggression, and improved patient and staff outcomes. The project sought to improve nurses’ knowledge on managing aggression using non-pharmacological interventions when providing care for patients in a mental health clinic. The education program used a pretest–posttest design and was created using resources from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to include a comprehensive module on effective interventions. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in knowledge, with mean pretest scores of 68% (SD = 3.5) increasing to a mean posttest score of 90.5% (SD = 2.8) after intervention. A paired t test confirmed statistically significant improvements in knowledge (t = 10.57, p \u3c .001). The findings highlight the importance of structured staff education programs to integrate evidence-based, non-pharmacological interventions into routine care, fostering positive social change in healthcare practices
Strategies Behavioral Health Agency Managers Use to Retain Key Employees
Get PDFEmployee retention in the behavioral health sector is a critical challenge that directly impacts the quality of care for clients and the long-term sustainability of healthcare organizations. Despite the importance of retention, some healthcare agency managers face difficulties in implementing effective strategies for retaining trained behavioral health professionals. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify strategies seven behavioral health agency managers in South Florida used to retain behavioral health professionals. Data gathered through semistructured interviews were thematically analyzed, leading to the identification of three themes: (a) a culture of appreciation, (b) instrumental influences, and (c) effective communication and alignment. A key recommendation is for organizational leaders to invest in leadership training for current managers to foster an environment of support, mentorship, and effective communication. The implications for positive social change include the potential to enhance organizational culture within behavioral health agencies, improve employee retention, reduce stigma surrounding mental health, and ultimately promote better community health outcomes
Reasons Teachers of Color Leave the Field of Education in a Suburban School Division in Virginia
Get PDFTeacher retention remains a persistent challenge in the field of education, with teachers of color (TOCs) experiencing disproportionately higher attrition rates compared to their White counterparts while affect schools nationwide, particularly in high-need areas. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate why TOCs left their teaching positions in Virginia. This study was grounded in job demands-resources theory and focused on the significance of the demands and available resources within a workplace. For this basic qualitative design, eight former TOCs that had at least 3 years of experience in a suburban district in Virginia participated in semi structured interviews. Thematic coding indicated that TOCs left the profession due to factors such as lack of training support, student behavioral challenges, principal turnover, and lack of recognition from leadership. study\u27s The results have the potential for social change by providing improvements which will create effective educational induction programming and robust support Virginia for TOC, ultimately benefitting the students, especially students of color
Lived Experiences of Adult Christian Men Navigating Religious Beliefs and Internet Pornography Use
Get PDFReligious individuals who engage in pornography use often experience guilt, shame, and cognitive dissonance, creating internal conflict that may lead to anxiety, depression, and strained personal and spiritual relationships. Guided by cognitive dissonance theory, this qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 15 adult Christian men (ages 18-44) who struggled with problematic internet pornography use and scrupulosity. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Yin’s five-step process to identify recurring themes. Findings revealed that faith served both as a source of strength and a contributor to emotional distress, with participants experiencing cycles of guilt, secrecy, and relapse. Additionally, scrupulosity intensified moral conflict, reinforcing obsessive guilt and ritualistic coping behaviors. Participants emphasized the importance of nonjudgmental spiritual and community support in fostering recovery and resilience. These findings may inform faith-integrated interventions, support systems, and therapeutic strategies aimed at promoting emotional and spiritual well-being among Christian men navigating pornography-related struggles
The Association Between Maternal Nutrition, Perinatal Mental Health, and Birth Outcomes in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Women
Get PDFAccording to recent studies, disparities in the United States indicated a prevalence of adverse outcomes associated with maternal nutrition and perinatal mental health among women facing socioeconomic challenges. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between maternal nutrition, perinatal mental health, and birth outcomes with a focus on women facing socioeconomic challenges. The theoretical framework that guided this study was the socioecological model. The research design involved using secondary data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and employing multiple regression analysis. Key findings revealed significant associations between maternal nutrition, perinatal mental health, and birth outcomes. Poor maternal nutrition and adverse mental health were linked to unfavorable birth outcomes, including lower birth weight and higher rates of preterm birth, suggesting that inadequate nutritional intake and untreated mental health conditions during pregnancy could exacerbate health disparities among socioeconomically disadvantaged women. The findings may inform targeted interventions and policies to improve the health of socioeconomically disadvantaged women and their babies, thereby reducing disparities and promoting well-being for vulnerable populations
Clinical Practice Guideline for Delirium Screening
Get PDFSummary This doctoral project developed a clinical practice guideline (CPG) to address the critical health issue of early identification of delirium among hospitalized high-risk patients. Hospital delirium is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased nursing home or rehab use after hospitalization, and higher mortality. Evidence shows that systematic screening improves delirium identification among hospitalized high-risk adults. However, there was no clinical practice guideline for delirium screening at the project facility for high-risk, non-intensive care unit patients. Therefore, the practice-focused question for the project was, “Does the evidence support the development of a CPG for delirium screening in high-risk hospitalized patients that was validated by an expert panel via the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument and approved for use in the practice setting by end-users? The purpose of this project was to provide best practices for the early screening of delirium among hospitalized high-risk patients. The Johns Hopkins evidence-based tool was used to organize the 20 articles of evidence supporting the project. An expert panel of four evaluated the CPG using the AGREE II Instrument. The results showed quality scores in all six domains ranging from 87.5% - 97.2%. The project\u27s overall quality score was 89.2%, and the guideline was accepted for use in practice. Implications for nursing practice include the use of this CPG for enhanced identification of delirium to improve delirium outcomes by ensuring equitable screening of all high-risk patients. This project, therefore, aligns with social change goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion in care