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The Relationship Between Climate Change Awareness and Mental Health Among Adults in the United States
Get PDFUnderstanding the connection between climate change awareness and overall well-being is crucial, particularly regarding its impact on the environment and mental health. However, there is a need for more research on this topic, especially within the American context. The mental health implications of climate change are not yet fully understood, and there is a gap in the literature. This gap was addressed by exploring climate change awareness effects on mental health among U.S. adults. The social ecological model provided a framework to examine the impact of climate change awareness on mental health, considering individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors. This quantitative, cross-sectional study used the Health Information National Trend Survey-6 dataset. Regression analyses revealed that individuals with climate change awareness have an adjusted odds ratio of 1.392 (1.160–1.671) for depression or anxiety compared to those without awareness. The association between climate change awareness and depression or anxiety showed that gender was a statistically significant, albeit weak, predictor for females (AOR = 1.294, CI: 1.010-1.658), and not predictive for males (AOR = 1.036, CI: 0.764-1.405). Lastly, individuals with climate change awareness have an adjusted odds ratio of 1.677 (CI: 1.422-1.978) for worrying compared to those without awareness. These three manuscripts collectively highlighted a clear link between greater climate change awareness and increased psychological distress. Despite the mental health challenges posed by awareness of climate change, the potential for positive social change exists, as collective action and climate literacy can transform eco-anxiety into eco-action, fostering resilience and empowerment through community engagement
Strategies to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Nurses in Rural Emergency Departments
Get PDFLeaders of rural emergency departments (EDs) in the United States face persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining RNs. The aim of this integrative review was to identify strategies to mitigate these challenges. The review question focused on best practices leaders can implement to decrease problems with the recruitment and retention of rural ED nurses. A review of the literature published within the past five years yielded 31 empirical and non-empirical articles, which were analyzed using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) appraisal tool. Overarching themes and subthemes were subsequently identified. The Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Human Resource Management frameworks provided a theoretical foundation for the study. Five themes and nine sub-themes were identified. The five themes were (a) financial incentives, (b) leadership development, (c) structured mentorship, (d) career development, and (e) policy changes. The nine sub-themes were (a) compensation strategies, (b) competitive salaries, (c) leadership support, (d) leadership engagement, (e) peer networking, (f) professional development, (g) training programs, (h) policy advocacy, and (i) long-term policy reform. This integrative review identified recommendations such as the creation of formal mentorship structures, aligned with the Dynamic Capabilities Framework, as an essential strategy to enhance recruitment and retention in rural EDs. These comprehensive recommendations may help organizational leaders cultivate long-term, high-quality employees who provide essential levels of quality care, yielding positive social change
Experience of Coparents/Partners of African American Mothers Participating in Breastfeeding Education
Get PDFCoparents and partners of African American mothers are critical in the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding and influence a woman’s decision to breastfeed. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of coparents/partners of African American mothers participating in breastfeeding education and its impact on the support they provide. Bandura’s social cognitive theory provided the theoretical foundation for this study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 11 participants. Data analysis followed the traditional seven steps of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings showed that while coparents and partners of African American breastfeeding mothers found breastfeeding education to be beneficial in their role as a support person, the degree of benefit was varied and related to how engaged they were in the educational experience and how prepared they felt to be a support person. Analysis showed that participants’ knowledge increased, especially in understanding different aspects of the breastfeeding process. Perceptions of breastfeeding and participants’ ability to be an influential and practical support person did not change until after initiating the breastfeeding experience. This study may aid in evoking culturally responsive conversations around education, interventions, and support for African American women while emphasizing the pivotal role that coparents/partners play in the breastfeeding experience. This may include more informed decisions on breastfeeding initiation and continuation, a change in perceptions and acceptance of breastfeeding, and informed strategies that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding through education
Need for Standardized Lung Cancer Screening
Get PDFLung cancer accounted for 1.8 million deaths worldwide in 2020. Annual lung cancer screenings play a critical role in early detection, improving survival rates, and reducing mortality, particularly among high-risk individuals such as long-term smokers. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is the preferred screening method, offering a high sensitivity for detecting lung nodules in at-risk populations, such as long-term smokers and individuals with a significant history of tobacco use. Current practice at a Southeastern Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) does not use an annual screening tool to assess patients who meet the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria for lung cancer. Standardized lung cancer screening, paired with LDCT, significantly improves early detection outcomes by identifying malignancies at an earlier, more treatable stage. This clinical practice guideline (CPG) aimed to validate the need for standardized lung cancer screening for eligible patients who meet the USPSTF criteria for early detection. Extensive literature review using evidence-based peer-reviewed journals led to the following practice-focused question: “Will a lung cancer screening clinical practice guideline receive an aggregate score of at least 80% in the six domains of the AGREE II tool by content experts?” The panel of four content experts reached a final score following the CPG guideline with a 92.7% aggregate score across all domains (scope and purpose: 98.6%; stakeholder involvement: 88.8%; rigor or development: 97.9%; clarity of presentation: 100%; applicability: 100%; editorial independence: 70.8%). The CPG can affect social change by standardizing annual lung cancer screenings into preventive healthcare; medical professionals can enhance early diagnosis, ultimately saving lives and improving the quality of care
Crowdsourcing and Open Innovation for Strategic Planning at the National Defense University: A Case Study
Get PDFIt is important within strategic planning to conduct stakeholder analysis and provide stakeholder participation; however, this can be a problem for organizations with a large number of stakeholders. A gap in current research exists regarding the nuanced application of crowdsourcing and open innovation explicitly applied to stakeholder analysis and participation in public organizations’ strategic planning process. While the emerging ideas of open innovation and crowdsourcing can effectively reach stakeholders, their success in involving them has had limited evaluation. The purpose was to determine the extent to which open innovation and crowdsourcing can be used to involve stakeholders in the strategic planning process. The theoretical framework used was Mitchell et al.’s theory of stakeholder identification and salience, which provides strategic planners a method to determine a stakeholder’s significance through an analysis of their influence, legitimacy, and urgency, and served as a lens to address the research problem. This qualitative study used Ying’s single-case study design with embedded multiple units of analysis. Key findings were that the majority of interview participants indicated both crowdsourcing and open innovation would be helpful to include external stakeholder involvement in the strategic planning process if filters were used to help sort out the negative from the positive impacts; strong motivation were used for stakeholders to participate; and the participation was limited to like-minded individuals. The implications related to social change are that it provides the opportunity for potential positive impacts associated with collaboration, advocacy, and civic engagement within the communities served by public organizations with large numbers of stakeholders
Examining the Relationship between Leadership Styles, Staff Performance, and Staff Retention in Medication-Assisted Treatment
Get PDFThis case study examines the influence of leadership styles on employee retention and performance in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) facilities located in the southeastern United States, with a focus on facilities treating patients with severe opioid use disorder (F11.20). Using the Baldrige Excellence Framework, the study explores how different leadership approaches impact the work environment, employee satisfaction, and retention. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with six clinic directors, one regional clinical supervisor, and one regional director, as well as a review of organizational archival records and a literature review. The analysis revealed several key findings: (a) staff licensure requirements are limited to nursing staff, (b) leadership positions are determined based on clinic needs, (c) clinical staff require specialized training and guidance upon entering their roles, and (d) evaluating leadership styles for effectiveness in relation to staff engagement and retention is necessary. The results highlight that transformational, servant, and supportive leadership styles contribute to improved employee satisfaction and retention. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for specialized training programs tailored to the unique demands of MAT settings. Identifying and implementing effective leadership approaches is crucial for fostering social change, stability, and success in MAT treatment, ultimately benefiting both staff and patients
Teachers\u27 Multiculturalism and Digital Learning Choices for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education
Get PDFThe English language learner environment in U.S. secondary schools is increasingly complex due to the growing numbers of students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE) who require a culturally responsive approach. Teachers are not prepared to meet the needs of SLIFE, especially in the technology-enhanced classrooms. A gap in the literature exists regarding the culturally responsive use of digital learning resources (DLRs) with high school SLIFE. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether the teachers’ self-reported multicultural teaching competencies (skills and knowledge) predict the choice of DLRs used with SLIFE. The study was grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development (SCT). Through professional organizations and social media postings, the survey was accessible to approximately 165 schools and 1,500 member educator networks. The anonymous instrument was used to collect N = 37 viable responses. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant positive predictive relationship with varied levels of degree to which the multicultural teaching competencies predicted the frequency of DLR utilization, underscoring the difference between how teachers operationalized their multicultural teaching competencies in relation to the choice of the DLRs (content, productivity, communication) tools. While the study was underpowered, the statistically significant results for all 16 regression models yielded a large (\u3e 0.35) Cohen’s f effect size, proving the results meaningful. The potential for positive social change is the empowerment of educators, program directors, and technology creators to select, plan, and develop more culturally responsive, equitable, and inclusive technology supports for SLIFE
Reducing Medical Supplies Waste by Managing Healthcare Resources in a Clinical Setting in the United States: Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThe gap in practice identified for my DNP capstone project is reducing medical supplies waste by managing healthcare resources in a clinic setting in the United States of America. The Organizational Change Process (OCP) Evaluation project assessed a tracking and exchange system to track the inventory of supplies used in different worksite clinics and their expiration dates. Knowledge of the expiration dates enabled exchange or shift to high-utilization areas before the supplies expired, thereby reducing waste, costs, and environmental pollution. The healthcare organization was a mix of ambulatory clinics and hospitals of varying scopes and sizes. The small clinics served employees and families of school districts or companies. The practitioners in these clinics worked alone and did everything, including rooming patients, drawing blood, performing all kinds of tests, and dispensing certain medications they prescribed. The clinicians diagnosed and treated simple to complex illnesses and initiated referrals to specialists when appropriate. Due to the number of patients seen in these clinics, some tests are not done very often but are supposed to be available for the employees and their families in case they need them. As a result of low utilization, some of the test kits or strips expired, and large quantities were discarded or sent to health missions overseas. This project evaluated a period 1 month prior and 1 month after OCP implementation. There was a 30%–60% reduction in wasted supplies following OCP implementation. The problem is important, and this project promotes social change because medical supply waste increases healthcare costs and environmental pollution
Effective Strategies Remote Business Leaders Use for Monitoring and Improving Remote Employees’ Performance
Get PDFThe shift to remote work has created leadership challenges in communication, career development, performance monitoring, trust, and time management. Remote business leaders are increasingly concerned about maintaining employee engagement and productivity, as ineffective leadership strategies can result in disengagement, reduced performance, and higher turnover in virtual work environments. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies that remote business leaders used to support work-from-home employees and sustain organizational performance. The participants were eight remote team business leaders from the United States, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed five key strategies: (a) structured communication to improve engagement, (b) career development and mentorship for retention, (c) results-driven performance monitoring, (d) trust-based leadership to enhance autonomy, and (e) flexible time management for work-life balance. A key recommendation is for business leaders to create clear career development paths for employees. The implications for positive social change include the potential to expand access to remote employment for individuals in underserved or geographically isolated communities, support a greater work-life balance for working parents and caregivers, and reduce environmental impact through decreased commuting
Staff Education on Physical Activity as a Therapeutic Option for Anxiety and Depression
Get PDFThis project’s aim was to educate staff on physical activity (PA) as a therapeutic option for anxiety and depression to relieve psychotic symptoms, enhancing patients’ quality of life. PA enhances cognitive functioning, reduces anxiety and depression, and decreases the risk of cardiovascular conditions and early death. Patients with severe mental illnesses face barriers to PA and exercise, so providers and policymakers must create an environment that encourages participation. A knowledge gap for staff exists in promoting PA in mental health patients. Healthcare professionals should recommend the right amount of PA for each patient. This initiative aims to increase staff confidence and willingness to promote adherence to consistent PA in this target population. The project’s purpose and outcomes align with the evidence model and project management approach, which aligns with organization’s patient recovery goals. The project aimed to determine if educating staff about the benefits of PA can boost their confidence and willingness to incorporate this knowledge into their routine practice and was analyzed using smart objectives and pretests and posttests. The results of the pre/posttest increased from an average score of 7.1/15 (47.3%) to 13.6/15 (90.8), a percentage change of 37.5%. This showed that improved staff knowledge would enhance their confidence and willingness to encourage patients to participate in PA. PA has a significant clinical impact, with higher levels indicating better health and potentially a longer lifespan. Targeted interventions can enhance PA and exercise participation. Strategies for patients to increase PA include helping them recognize the benefits, providing access to PA venues at scheduled times, providing approved equipment, and providing supervision during PA sessions for safety