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Impact of Hospital Virtual Dementia Tour® on Caregivers’ Knowledge and Attitudes Towards People with Dementia
No full textThe incidence of dementia, associated with poor health outcomes, is rapidly rising. In review of the literature, dementia education is broadly recommended to impact staff knowledge and patient outcomes. This Doctoral project sought to answer the project question: in healthcare workers who care for hospitalized patients with dementia and behavioral disturbance, will the dementia-centered education initiative, the Hospital Virtual Dementia Tour® (HVDT), improve the care team\u27s knowledge and attitudes in caring for people with dementia, particularly behavioral dysregulation, as measured by scores on pre-post Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS) Assessment?
A quality improvement quantitative pretest posttest pilot study implementing the Hospital Virtual Dementia Tour was completed. There was a total of 71 participants with 55 participants’ data included in final analysis. Pearson’s correlation between demographics and pre-test DAS scores revealed no significant correlation between clinical role, years of experience, or prior dementia education. There was statistically significant improvement in total aggregate attitude scores (t-score = 1.962, p = 0.001) and knowledge aggregate scores (t-score = 1.964, p = 0.000). There was a non-statistically significant improvement in social comfort aggregate means (t-score = 1.964, p = 0.854). This pilot study demonstrated improvement in caregiver’s total aggregate attitude scores and knowledge specific scores following participation in the Hospital Virtual Dementia tour which supports future implementation of this intervention
HOW DO WE MAKE U.S. AGRICULTURE MORE SUSTAINABLE? BALANCING THE NEEDS OF EARTH AND HUMANITY
Full text linkAgriculture is one of the cornerstones of human civilization that has allowed humans to establish permanent settlements and to step away from nomadic foraging lifestyles to more permanent dwellings. When humans started to cultivate crops, farmers noticed how the environment both influences and is influenced by agriculture. By investigating the technological development of agriculture in ancient Mesopotamia and China, two conclusions can be made about the relationship between the environment and agriculture that greatly inform the dynamics of the relationship. The environment limits what crops we can cultivate due to preexisting conditions, but humans overcome this limitation to achieve growth through technological development. This process continues into the modern world with the Green Revolution causing a massive spike in technological development, but not without its consequences. The technologies developed during this time became widely implemented across the world in a monoculture-based agricultural system. However, these new technologies which include synthetic agrochemicals and machinery, are unsustainable and cause environmental degradation. To mitigate the environmental damage caused by monoculture, the US government should incentivize sustainable farming practices such as diverse crop rotation and livestock integration into crop cultivation. Incentivizing these practices and shifting funds away from corporate monoculture will allow farmers to protect the environment while having higher crop yields. Individuals can support these changes by exercising their political voice and shopping for local/organic products
Adding Therapy Codes to Psychiatric Medication Management Appointments
Full text linkAbstract
Psychotherapy is an integral part of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) scope of practice. However, gaps in use of this skill have been identified among PMHNPs providing medication management services. Lack of use of this skill can contribute to lack of resources in mental health and overall burden. A quality improvement project was implemented at a small psychiatric telehealth practice using an evidence-based approach. Using a quasi-experimental quantitative approach with measurement of pre and post intervention self-efficacy scores and use of therapy add-on billing codes, six PMHNPs (n=6) met criteria to participate in the intervention. The Therapist Self-Efficacy Scale (T-SES) which consisted of 21 questions was used to measure confidence levels of using psychotherapy skills in the telehealth setting. A paired t-test was used to compare and identify differences in provider confidence levels pre and post intervention. The analysis indicated a clinically significant difference between these scores. Pre and post intervention billing codes were collected and compared to identify differences in use of therapy. A Wilcoxson Signed Rank test was used to analyze the absolute difference between means. Billing data were not clinically significant for change. Overall, the study indicates confidence levels have increased, and providers may not be ready for change in billing practices. Limitations of the study included a small sample size and a short window of time to analyze data. The findings of this project include replicating the project at larger sites and considering longitudinal studies to assess behavior change over time.
Keywords: DNP Project, Psychotherapy Billing Codes, Motivational Interviewin
The Purchasing Power of Piety
Full text linkI argue that religious convictions significantly shape decision-making by influencing female consumers\u27 values, beliefs, and purchasing decisions in the apparel, dietary consumption, and cosmetics industries. This thesis seeks to carefully examine the distinct needs of Jewish and Catholic women, considering how their position in their religious traditions impacts their autonomy and consumer behavior. As I explore how religious obligations, ethical considerations, and cultural expectations drive their purchasing decisions, this research aims for brands to bridge the gap with religious consumers through more effective and resonant marketing strategies. By making religious pluralism a key aspect of their approach, companies can establish meaningful connections with consumers, positioning their reputation as socially responsible and culturally sensitive leaders in the marketplace. My research highlights the nuanced thresholds where piety and product purchases unite by examining the intersections of faith, personal conviction, and female consumer autonomy
THE DANGER ISN’T STRANGERS: EXPLORING INJUSTICES IN THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF WOMEN’S VICTIMIZATION EXPERIENCES
Full text linkThis thesis analyzes the way the social construction of victimization and perpetration of violence against women impacts the lived experiences of victimized women in the United States. Its discussion expands upon the constraints of frames about interpersonal abuse which focus on stranger-perpetrated victimization and leave victim-survivors\u27 lived experiences with acquaintances in a grey area. Specifically, it explores the framing of victimization risks in the “Stranger Danger” campaign, which highlights strangers as solitary figures to fear, warns against independent socialization, and omits the very real potential for victimization by someone known. In this manner, Stranger Danger functions as a hermeneutical injustice, which leaves victimized women in early adulthood ill-equipped to make sense of their experiences of victimization by someone known. When women are warned for much of their young lives to fear strangers, victimization by an acquaintance or trusted companion can be astonishing, calamitous, and difficult to contextualize. The findings of this analysis may be used to better inform the development of responsive therapies and violence prevention education programming. Informed by perspectives from personal experience and the fields of sociology, feminist philosophy, feminist criminology, and psychology, this thesis presents an analysis of and proposes modifications for the seemingly innocent trend of misinformation that results from the use of Stranger Danger
The Impact of Resilience Training on Behavioral Health Care Staff Burnout
No full textBurnout among mental health professionals is a critical issue that can negatively impact patient care and provider and staff well-being. Feelings and symptoms of burnout can lead to decreased quality of life and job satisfaction, which can be precursors to attrition and turnover. Every county in the state where this project was implemented is considered a mental health dessert, so retaining current practitioners and employees has increased significance, particularly as it relates to patient access to care. This project explored whether resiliency training effectively reduces symptoms of burnout among mental health professionals. A pre- and post-intervention design was utilized, measuring burnout symptoms using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)-Human Services Survey. The study assessed Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Achievement both before and after resiliency training. The sample included 17 participants (N=17), with 8 completing both pre- and post-intervention assessments (n=8). Results showed a decrease in mean scores for Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization, along with an increase in Personal Achievement scores. However, these changes were not statistically significant, as determined by a t-test analysis. While the findings suggest a potential positive impact of resiliency training, further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to determine its effectiveness in mitigating burnout among mental health professionals
The Love Ethic: An Individual\u27s Key to Engaging in Social Change
Full text linkIn a world with increasing political polarization, global war, and turmoil, many people feel they’re rapidly losing hope and agency to make change. With increasing technological changes that call into question our intellect, purpose, and abilities, we are called back to what makes us human: love. Through a review of varying literary sources exploring the topic of love, from activists to authors and personal anecdotes, the love ethic reminds individuals that the choices they have to make every day are an opportunity to engage in social change, and to make a difference in our communities. By operating under a love ethic, one can escape burn-out, strengthen community ties, and change to a better way of being in the world, so that it may become more developed, more informed, and more loved
The Impact of Standardized Leadership Rounding on Nursing Satisfaction
Full text linkThis quality improvement project aimed to address the lack of standardized communication between staff and management within the behavioral health service line, as this contributed to a negative culture. This project explored if implementing standardized leadership rounds would increase nursing staff satisfaction compared non-standardized rounds. This project utilized a pre- and post- intervention survey design, with a survey consisting of 15 questions. Eleven (N=11) nurses participated in the study, completing both the pre- and post- intervention surveys. There was an eight-week period of intervention between the pre- and post- intervention surveys. The pre-intervention survey mean score was 6.4848, while the post- intervention survey mean score was 6.8182, indicating an increase in staff satisfaction. A paired t-test was completed on the aggregate survey results showing statistically significant difference between pre- and post- intervention survey results. The data suggests that standardized leadership rounding could positively influence nursing satisfaction
Nurse-Led Bedside Rounds to Improve Nursing Self-Efficacy
No full textBackground: Bedside rounds involving the child and family in the hospital are considered a best practice, offering numerous benefits that enhance patient care, family engagement, and nurse participation. Nurse-led bedside rounds (NLBR) have been linked to improved nursing self-efficacy, which correlates with reduced burnout and higher nurse retention. However, on the mixed inpatient pediatric unit (MIPU) studied in this project, a standardized family-centered rounding process was lacking, and nurses faced barriers to participation. This prompted the research question: Do nurses on an MIPU (P) report an improvement in self-efficacy (O) following the implementation of NLBR (I)?
Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to implement NLBR on an MIPU using nursing, behavioral, and change theories as foundational frameworks. The objective was to enhance nurses\u27 self-efficacy through structured and sustainable bedside rounding practices.
Methods: Following stakeholder approval, an evidence-based NLBR model was developed to ensure feasibility and sustainability. A pre-survey assessed nurses’ self-efficacy among both day and night shift volunteers prior to intervention. The intervention included education, training, simulation, and role-play exercises to enhance leadership skills for NLBR implementation. Three months after initiating the rounding process, a post-survey was conducted among participating nurses.
Results: Despite a small effect size and a weak regression model (r² ≤ 0.13), post-survey findings demonstrated statistically significant improvements in nursing self-efficacy (p \u3c 0.05). These results suggest that the implementation of NLBR positively impacts nurses\u27 confidence and engagement in patient care within the MIPU.
Conclusion: NLBR fosters a structured, family-centered approach to rounding, leading to measurable improvements in nursing self-efficacy. While further research is needed to explore long-term effects, findings support NLBR as a valuable practice for enhancing nursing engagement and retention
A Case for Nuclear Energy
Full text linkThe modern state of electricity production is deadly, both for the planet and human biology. Therefore, we ought to pursue other methods of electricity production that carry less harm. Nuclear energy is, simply put, the best option. While it suffers from a checkered past, lack of public understanding, and a seemingly everlasting cognitive bias against it, as we carefully compare it to other energy sources, it comes out on top. Nuclear energy is safer than almost every other energy source, and it provides large amounts of consistent, sustainable energy for electricity production. Furthermore, logistical factors such as cost and construction time are hardly insurmountable issues, especially when reminding ourselves of the strengths of nuclear energy. Nuclear energy cannot combat climate change alone, but it provides a solid piece of the puzzle. The outlook on a nuclear future is bright, and even now, there are promising developing technologies that provide even more refined versions of nuclear energy. Hopefully, a nuclear future will come soon