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Promises Endure: Historical Views of Nursing Faculty
Get PDFLessons learned from the history of an organization are valuable. This is especially true for an organization with the legacy held by the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of the Incarnate Word. Memories recounted by nursing faculty were collected to enhance information provided in the two-volume chronicle written by Sister Patrice Slattery in 1995 entitled, “Promises to Keep” and the last history of the school, “The Story of One School of Nursing” written by Sister Charles Marie Frank in 1976
Exploring the Factors That Affect World Anti-Doping Code Compliance: An Analysis of Peru’s and Bolivia’s National Anti-Doping Organizations
Get PDFThe purpose of this dissertation was to identify and understand the factors that affect the World Anti-Doping Code compliance of the National Anti-Doping Organizations in Peru and Bolivia. By identifying and understanding these factors, this research may provide useful information on how to strengthen compliance and development strategies. This dissertation used a qualitative basic interpretive design with a sample of anti-doping experts from Peru, Bolivia, and the World Anti-Doping Agency, and a comprehensive document review process. Through coding and thematic analysis of the in-depth interview data and the development of a findings model, three main findings were identified as factors that affect compliance: (1) inadequate anti-doping legislation, resources, and structure; (2) authorities’ limited support and understanding of anti-doping and compliance; and (3) limited understanding of the cultural context, the value of relations, and the potential benefits of sanctions. The data analyzed suggested that the factors that affect compliance are generally heterogenous and context-specific, indicating that the best way to address them requires the implementation of context-based compliance and development strategies. Results indicate that compliance strategy may be strengthened by using different responsive regulatory tactics based on cultural differences and compliance motivations of the World Anti-Doping Code signatories
Formalizing an Obstetrical Program for High-Risk Patients: Focus—Diabetes During Pregnancy
Get PDFWithin the last 10 years, the number of pregnant women with gestational diabetes increased 56%, and the number of women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes before pregnancy increased 37% (CDC, 2018). The management of a pregnancy complicated by diabetes involves a multidisciplinary approach, medical nutrition therapy, glycemic control, and occasionally, pharmacological therapies (Nurain et al., 2019). In 2017, the total cost of diabetes in the United States was $237 billion (Riddle & Herman, 2018). The purpose of this DNP project was to standardize a Federally Qualified Health Care’s (FQHC) High-Risk Obstetrical (OB) Initiative, which attempted to provide in-person education and monitoring by an RN in addition to regular OB visits. The project used a multidisciplinary approach to expand on the initiative by (a) instituting a standardized enrollment process, (b) implementing an electronic health record (EHR) dashboard to track enrollees, (c) gathering evidence-based patient education materials, (d) introducing a Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) assessment, (e) determining the follow-up interval for RN monitoring, and (f) developing an RN documentation template. This project focused on mothers at risk of diabetic complications during pregnancy. The results showed enrollment in the initiative increased from seven expecting mothers pre-implementation to 57 expecting mothers post-implementation, thereby increasing the knowledge and monitoring of diabetic mothers. Creating a standardized multidisciplinary process with weekly follow-up by a Registered Nurse (RN) can help pregnant diabetic women identify signs and symptoms of maternal/fetal distress due to diabetic complications, resulting in the prevention of severe complications, improved pregnancy outcomes, and decreased costs
Inclusive Inquiry. 14th Annual Research Week: Event Proceedings
Get PDFPresentations of completed and ongoing research activity conducted by graduate and undergraduate students and faculty at University of the Incarnate Word. Coordinated and presented by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies
Effectiveness of Goal Setting on Teacher Evaluation
Get PDFResearch Focus. The purpose of this study was to determine effectiveness of goal setting protocol procedures implemented by three school districts on teacher evaluation scores using the Texas Teacher Effectiveness Evaluation System (TESS). It determined which school’s teacher evaluation ratings increased and the effect goal setting had on the increased goals. The evaluation system uses formative and summative goals to support teachers. Texas Teacher Support System added the goal setting professional development process for all teachers to reflect on their practice and identify needs of improvement. With these goals, teachers should become more effective teachers. The teacher and the administer develop a plan to reach goals and personal progress toward goals. Then they reflect on these goals throughout the year to track personal growth and the effects on student growth (TEA, 2014). Since the goal setting and professional development process is a new aspect to the appraisal system and there little available data of its effectiveness, research on this topic is warranted.
Research Methods. A mixed methods methodology was used that emphasized the quantitative perspective. Qualitative methods were used in order to add a descriptive dimension to the quantitative results. A primarily quantitative study was chosen to determine the effectiveness of goal setting on teacher evaluation scores using the given data from the teacher’s evaluation scores and teachers rating of goal setting protocol. Data were collected from three south Texas school districts that have participated in the Texas Teacher Evaluation Support System over the last four years. A factorial ANOVA analysis compared goal setting protocol and teacher evaluation scores at each of the three school districts over the four year time period. The Texas Teacher Evaluation Support System does not give a specified protocol for school districts to follow, therefore the protocol used is determined by the school principals. The purpose of this study is to see if there is a difference in the protocols and what affect it has on teacher overall evaluation score.
Research Results/Findings. Although the between-within factorial ANOVA indicated the presence of an interaction between districts and years, the simple main effects did not evidence any significant differences between individual districts or years. This indicates that goal setting protocol changes did not make a difference in any of the districts. There were also no significant correlations between teacher satisfaction with goal setting protocols and evaluation scores. This further substantiates the lack of evidence linking goal setting with teacher evaluations. According to the teacher responses, goal setting was often left up to the teachers to do, and it was only sporadically monitored by administrators. This lack of focus on goal attainment could explain the lack of relationships demonstrated in the quantitative data.
Conclusions From Research. This research was undertaken with the assumption that if goal setting protocols were becoming an important part of teacher evaluations, then their evaluation scores should reflect this different approach. This research demonstrated that not only was there no measurable difference between the teacher evaluation scores by district or by year, but that there was not even a significant relationship between the satisfaction of goal setting and teacher evaluation scores. As the goal setting protocols were described by teachers as generally unimportant and not consistently developed or monitored, it is not surprising that differences did not present in the data. It would be interesting to run this study again using districts with strict adherence to interactive goal setting protocols
The H.E.R.O. Within: An Examination of Psychological Capital and Intent to Graduate Among Doctoral Students
Get PDFUnderstanding the factors contributing to a student’s ability to persist toward graduation is paramount to the success of an institution’s doctoral program. This study explored specific psychological factors (psychological capital) as they relate to persistence factors for doctoral students. Additionally, this study expands upon the research and literature on psychological capital using an established instrument, Compound Psychological Capital scale (CPC-12), in a new context. Finally, this study expands the research and literature on doctoral student persistence by applying the College Persistence Questionnaire (CPQ), designed for undergraduate students, to the doctoral student population. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used to examine the relationship between variables using statistical analyses such as one-way ANOVA and multiple regression
Basic and Applied Studies of Human Visual Function: Implications for Visually Demanding Occupations
Get PDFColor vision is a complex process providing important information about objects within our environment. Color vision deficiency either congenital or acquired can impact real world performance. Current working environments either require normal color vision or utilize color as a tool to highlight critical information. The use of color in the workplace provides several advantages. Hence, color vision screening is required for entry into professions and occupational certifications. Acquired color vision deficiency may also impact job performance requiring clinical screening. The present dissertation focused on the considerations outlined by the Commission on Behavior and Social Sciences when choosing a clinical test for occupational purposes. In order to address these considerations, I conducted a series of four studies.
The first study compared and contrasted three different computerized color vision tests for contrast sensitivity and analyzed how the minimum cutoff score differed between the tests. The results indicated that while log CS values were similar, there were enough differences between the values that caution should be applied when using the tests interchangeably for occupational screening. The second study assessed the Color Vision Field Test and found that it has excellent sensitivity and specificity for occupational screening when appropriate protocols are followed. The third study determined if the Cone Contrast Test could predict performance on the FM-100 Hue thereby providing a potential alternative test to the FM-100. Results indicated the CCT may be an effective substitute for the FM-100 to provide certification of jewelry appraisers, but the small sample size warrants additional comparative validation to support sole utilization of the CCT. This study also revealed exceptional hue discrimination in jewelry appraisers, a possible effect of perceptual learning. The last study expanded previous research on cell phone distraction to auditory distraction with a navigational system. Delayed response time was found which poses a threat to safety
You All Look Like @wolfiecindy: The Homogeny of Facial Self-Presentation Among Female Instagram Users
Get PDFThe emergence of a single facial aesthetic among professionally beautiful women on Instagram has popularized and idealized a specific look (i.e., Instagram Face) within a generation of young women and has normalized nonsurgical interventions and the use of photo editing in order to achieve it. It is the face of Kim Kardashian West, Kylie Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, and many other women who are considered attractive and who have large followings on the social platform. Through data collected by a quantitative content analysis, this thesis investigates how these women all look astoundingly the same, with uniformly high and contoured cheekbones, uplifted “cat-like” eyes, high arched eyebrows, full lips, a strongly projected chin, a defined jawline, a flat platform beneath the chin, and completely smooth skin. This research argues that Instagram has perpetuated the desire for this standardized face through Kylie Jenner filler package promotions, celebrity call-out accounts, and a class of celebrity plastic surgeons on the app. This thesis builds upon Gill’s (2007) framework of postfeminism in order to argue that women viewing this content and internalizing the aforementioned beauty ideal may be susceptible to self-objectification, body surveillance, and altering their facial self-presentation in order to resemble Instagram Face
A Case Report of Advanced Neglected Basal Cell Carcinoma
Get PDFBackground: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in humans and is frequently found in the periocular region. It is generally characterized by slow growth with rare metastasis and has an excellent prognosis with current surgical techniques. However, if neglected or inadequately treated it can lead to substantial localized tissue destruction and morbidity.
Case Report: This case presents an advanced basal cell carcinoma involving the left side of the nose and medial eyelids which had been neglected by the patient, causing significant functional disability and cosmetic disfigurement. The tumor was removed with a wide surgical excision which required skin grafts and eyelid reconstruction.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis and management of suspicious lesions is important to ensure the best clinical result. In extreme cases psychosocial or economic factors may delay treatment, resulting in more aggressive growth which requires more extensive multidisciplinary intervention to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the patient
Expansion of a Comprehensive and Standardized Well-Woman Exam Program in a University-Based Clinic
Get PDFBackground. Well-woman exams are an opportunity for women to receive focused screening, counseling, education, and care from a healthcare provider. Studies have found that 68% of women received well-woman exams between 2010 and 2016. During COVID-19 well-woman exams decreased by 80% in the United States. Standardized, comprehensive exams facilitate identification of the need for lifesaving care. Objective(s). The purpose of this quality improvement project was to expand a comprehensive and standardized well-woman exam program in a university-based clinic. Methods. Processes were implemented to promote well-woman exams, patient comfort measures, and completion of an evidence-based standardized comprehensive exam with appropriate follow-up. Following project implementation patients are now screened when calling the clinic to schedule an appointment. If appropriate, a well-woman exam is scheduled with a provider. During the appointment, the provider uses patient comfort measures and the newly developed Woman Preventive Services Initiative chart to complete the exam to ensure comprehensive components are included. The laboratory results of the exam are given to the patient via telephone call and, if needed, a referral is also made. Results. The number of well-woman exams increased by 900% from January 31, 2021 to April 16, 2021. The key elements that increased women’s comfort with well-woman exams including providers introducing themselves and the chaperone, as well as verbal checks of the patient during the pelvic exam, were incorporated in 94.44% of the exams. Weeks nine and ten showed 95.45% completion of the WPSI components. Of the patients who responded to a post-exam survey, 96% of the patients reported a positive experience. Implications. Expansion of standardized well-woman care facilitated comprehensive evidence-based care. Standardized electronic documentation tools designed and employed should maintain the consistency of the exam and assist in identification of need for follow-up testing and care. New processes reversed the decline of well-woman exams completed during the 2019-2020 COVID-19 pandemic at the university-based clinic and the increase should be maintained through the patient satisfaction achieved