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Awareness of Sleep Health in a Military Treatment Facility
Get PDFSleep disturbances are reported in almost one-third of military personnel deployed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), resulting in approximately 600,000 military personnel and veterans with clinically relevant sleep conditions (Mysliwiec et al., 2013). This study assesses how implementing staff education will increase awareness and impact patients\u27 sleep health in an overseas treatment facility. The project demonstrated after implementing several staff education courses for the nursing personnel (n=22), knowledge and confidence improved by 33%. The initiative shows an enhanced staff understanding of sleep health, which impacts the recognition of sleep members with sleep-related concerns
Staff Education on Advantages of Administering PHQ-9 Screening to Adolescents and Young Adults Receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy in an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
Get PDFpage This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) study filled a practice gap in an outpatient mental health clinic by increasing staff understanding of the PHQ-9 screening tool for teenagers and young adults undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. The project sought to answer the following practice-focused question: will teaching staff about the PHQ-9 increase knowledge? A staff education program was developed and implemented to address this gap, with professional persons examining and approving the content before it was distributed. Twelve voluntary clinical staff members attended a sixty-minute in-person educational session, which was followed by a ten-question multiple-choice pre/post-test to assess knowledge acquisition. Post-test results indicated an improved grasp of the PHQ-9\u27s benefits. A paired t-test showed significant improvement in knowledge (t = 9.44, p = 0.0025, p \u3c 0.05). These data suggest that providing systematic staff education increases knowledge and use of evidence-based screening tools like the PHQ-9. The initiative highlights the importance of ongoing training to improve mental health screening procedures. Future recommendations include expanding screening approaches to cover a larger patient population and continuing staff development efforts. This project improves patient outcomes, enhances nursing practice, and promotes positive societal change by fostering inclusivity, equity, and diversity in mental health care
Individual and Community-Level Factors Influencing HIV Testing Among Malawian Women
Get PDFThe HIV/AIDS epidemic poses a significant public health challenge in Malawi, where women aged 15-49 years experience a higher HIV prevalence (10.8%) compared to men (7.0%). Despite free testing services, 17% of Malawian women have never been tested for HIV, hindering early diagnosis and treatment that could reduce transmission rates. Using Anderson\u27s framework for health service utilization, this study examined how demographic factors (age, marital status, ethnicity, residence) and socioeconomic factors (education, wealth, employment) influence HIV testing among Malawian women aged 15-49 years. Two research questions guided this investigation: 1) the association between demographic factors and HIV testing after controlling for age at first sexual encounter, and 2) the relationship between socioeconomic status and HIV testing after controlling for lifetime sexual partners. Using a correlational cross-sectional design, chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted on data from 24,562 women from the 2015-16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey. Results revealed that married older women in urban areas were more likely to obtain HIV testing compared to younger, never-married women in rural areas. Additionally, women with higher education levels and employment demonstrated higher testing rates compared to those with lower education and unemployment. These findings inform recommendations for targeted interventions and policy changes to enhance HIV testing accessibility. The social change implications include potential reduction in HIV transmission rates through improved testing strategies focused on vulnerable populations, particularly young, rural, and unmarried women in Malawi
Accessing Local Health Programs for Afro-Caribbean Families in the Greater Tampa Bay Area
Get PDFAccess to quality healthcare is essential for the well-being of immigrant families, especially Afro-Caribbean immigrants in the Greater Tampa Bay area. Disparities in use and satisfaction with health services are known. Guided by Andersen’s healthcare utilization model, a quantitative cross-sectional design employing multiple linear regression analyzed the relationships between self-reported income, education, years since immigration, and health-seeking behaviors (IVs) and satisfaction with care, measured by the PSQ-18 (DV). This study involved 92 English-speaking Afro-Caribbean migrant families with minors residing in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties. The IVs did not emerge as significant variables in the model output F(14, 68) = .755, p = .712). In post hoc modeling, the IVs were regressed individually on PSQ-18M scores, revealing that mean pre-tax income was the only variable with a significant relationship F(1, 86) = 5.205, p = .025). An analysis of pre-tax income ordinal level coefficients indicated that an income of $200,000 or more was the significant response attribute t(7, 80) = -2.320, p = 0.23, 95% CI [-.888, -.068]). Health policy research consistently shows a correlation between higher income and increased satisfaction with care, consistent with this finding. By quantifying the effect of pretax income on healthcare access satisfaction levels, this finding offers insights that economic stability plays a critical role in shaping perceptions of healthcare access, consistent with Andersen’s individual and contextual enabling determinants. Positive social change arises through increased awareness and information for policymakers regarding how household income affects healthcare resource availability in immigrant populations and their satisfaction with access
Perceptions of Nurse Preceptor Program Structure, Process, and Outcomes
Get PDFPrecepting is crucial in successfully onboarding nurses in healthcare organizations, yet challenges remain in ensuring effective preceptor development. Well-structured preceptor programs contribute to consistent and safe nursing practices, enhance job satisfaction and competency among new nurses, and improve preceptor effectiveness while minimizing turnover. This quality improvement Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated a structured nurse preceptor program\u27s structure, process, and outcomes, focusing on its impact on clinical and critical thinking skills development through enhanced training and support. A key gap in understanding the program’s effectiveness was the lack of outcome data. This study explored participants’ perceptions of the preceptor program’s framework, processes, and results one-year post-implementation. Data collection included a survey with both quantitative and qualitative components, assessing satisfaction, policy clarity, and the utility of the preceptor selection tool. Preliminary findings revealed a 60% overall satisfaction rate, with identified areas for improvement such as clearer policies, improved communication, and enhanced selection tools. Addressing these concerns can lead to continuous program enhancements, fostering a supportive environment for new nurses while strengthening preceptor effectiveness. Ultimately, these improvements can drive social change by boosting new graduate nurses’ confidence and competence in delivering high-quality, equitable patient care
Development of an Evidence-Based Program to Increase Burnout Knowledge Among Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in an Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital
Get PDFIn this staff education project, I addressed burnout prevention among psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Burnout can cause strain on mental health nurses and reduce patient satisfaction, impair quality of care, and increase medical errors. In this project, I developed and applied an evidence-based program (EBP) on burnout for PMHNPs, educating them about the problem and helping identify, avoid, or at least prevent burnout symptoms. I addressed how an EBP staff education program could affect knowledge and recognition of burnout for PMHNPs working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. The purpose of the project was to have a 50% change in knowledge of PMHNPs concerning: (a) healthy work-life balance, (b) burnout sign and symptom recognition, and (c) applying strategic measures to reduce burnout. The project included a pretest and posttest, and a PowerPoint presentation that included a 52-second video. The project showed percent change improvements in work activities and self-care practices (5%), support seeking (3%), work-life balance (19%), confidence in burnout recognition (37%), and knowledge (51%). Potential implications for burnout include reduced productivity, poor self-care, high turnover rate, increased healthcare costs, worsened health disparities, and malpractice lawsuits. Burnout also impacts diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly among marginalized groups, and contributes to emotional, mental, and psychological harm. Addressing burnout through diverse, inclusive solutions can mitigate these effects and support individuals and communities
Therapists’ Experiences in Cases of High-Conflict Divorce Among Individuals With Personality Issues
Get PDFHigh-conflict divorce (HCD) involves prolonged conflict exceeding 2 years, persistent hostility, and extensive court involvement. Mental health professionals often participate as court-appointed expert witnesses or provide therapy at parental request. Therapists\u27 roles become more complex when parents exhibit challenging personality traits. This descriptive qualitative study explored therapists’ experiences in treating children and families in HCD cases where one or both parents displayed complex personality issues or disorders. Greenberg and Gould’s model on mental health professionals in court cases and Freud’s countertransference theory provided the study’s conceptual framework. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with nine therapists, and thematic analysis was used to examine their responses. Results of this study indicate that therapists working with HCD cases face significant challenges, including parental manipulation and threats, triangulation within the court system, and the risks associated with board investigations. Therapists employ various strategies to navigate these challenges by setting boundaries, seeking supervision, using feedback to avoid complaints, and pursuing specialized training. The study’s findings underscore the potential for positive social change by informing clinical treatment and training considerations for mental health providers working with this population in the context of HCD
Marketing Strategies to Engage Multicultural Consumers
Get PDFThe lack of marketing strategies that engages multicultural consumers is a concern for marketing managers because it can adversely impact their business profitability and sustained market competitiveness. Grounded in identity management theory (IMT), this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was conducted to explore the marketing strategies that successful marketing managers use to engage multicultural consumers. The participants were six marketing managers from distinct companies in the southeastern United States who specialize in acquiring and engaging multicultural customers. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, analysis of public company documents, and a systematic review of secondary sources, including social media content and corporate websites. Through thematic analysis, five key themes were identified: (a) partnerships and feedback analysis, (b) cultural representation, (c) tailored messaging and strategies, (d) digital and social media use, and (e) trust building and community engagement. A key recommendation is for marketing managers to develop culturally sensitive marketing approaches that reflect and respect diverse cultural identities. Marketing managers and business owners can use these identified strategies to help build trust among their community partners and multicultural consumers and increase engagement with the multicultural communities they serve leading to positive social change
Education Module to Improve Staff Medication Administration Practice
Get PDFExecutive Summary: Staff Education Project Education Module to Improve Staff Medication Administration Practice by Linda C. Ikegwuoha BSN, Austin Community College, 2021 ADN, Austin Community College, 2019 Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University May 202
Exploring Juvenile Probation Officers\u27 Perception of Strategies to Reduce Juvenile Recidivism in Southeastern Michigan
Get PDFThe high rate of juvenile recidivism in southeastern Michigan poses a threat to the safety of the community as well as a challenge to the juvenile probation officers (JPOs) who supervise them. The literature is abundant with data on juvenile recidivism; however, little is known about JPO’s perceptions on the efficacy of strategies and practices that aid in the rehabilitation of juvenile probationers. Grounded in both social learning and social bond theoretical frameworks, the purpose of this study was to explain how behavior is learned through processes of observation and the significance of positive bonds in minimizing delinquent behavior. The research question of interest is centered on the beliefs of probation officers regarding the efficacy of different approaches to addressing recidivism amongst juveniles. The research design was a general qualitative approach in exploring the JPOs experiences in the avoidance of recidivism. Data was collected via Zoom interviews with seven juvenile probation officers. After participants’ responses had been collected, the coding and categorization process was conducted using the NVivo 12 software. The findings showed that JPOs have had success using programs and strategies such as wrap-around services and face to face contact. However, success has been limited due to a lack of resources in the juvenile justice system. JPO’s recommend more family involvement, JPO training, smaller caseloads, and incorporating more evidence-based practices to aid in reducing juvenile recidivism. This study has implications for positive social change by exploring the efficacy of evidence-based strategies and interventions utilized by juvenile probation officers to mitigate juvenile recidivism