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Decreasing Influenza Vaccination Disparity Rates by Utilization of Hotspot Deployments of a Mobile Health Vehicle
Get PDFPractice Problem: Influenza vaccination for Black/African American patients is historically lower than White patients across all healthcare organizations (Quinn, 2018). In the organization’s 2022 performance, only 13.98% of Black/African American patients ages 19 and older were vaccinated compared to 27.81% of White/Caucasian patients.
PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was for Black/African American patients ages 19 and older receiving care from primary care clinics in Southeast San Diego (P), what is the impact of adding access to influenza vaccinations through hotspot-driven MHV deployments (I) compared to usual vaccination delivery in the medical office building (MOB) (C) on influenza vaccine disparity rates (O) in 8 weeks (T)?
Evidence: Gaining rapport and trust from the patients, engaging the community, and improving access to care aided in the increased uptake of vaccinations for patients.
Intervention: Hot spot-driven deployments of the organization’s mobile health vehicle was leveraged to improve Black/African American patient influenza vaccination rates.
Outcome: The overall disparity rate between Black/African American and White/Caucasian patients in the target zip codes decreased in 2023. The successful vaccination percentage increased for the 91977-zip code and the MHV.
Conclusion: The project’s practice change plan assisted a large Southern California healthcare organization improve influenza vaccination rates by leveraging the MHV’s hotspot-driven deployments. Despite the lack of statistical significance, the project increased the percentage of patients receiving their vaccinations from the MHV and established a new community partnership for vaccination access
Classroom Reintegration for Children and Adolescents with Traumatic Brain Injuries
Get PDFThe purpose of the poster presentation is to increase the present knowledge regarding the process of school-based reintegration for children and adolescents who have experienced a traumatic brain injury. As children and young adults spend an average of 32 hours per week in the school environment, parents, educators, and rehabilitation professionals are ideally positioned to collaborate with one another to facilitate the reintegration process and enable students to return to their primary occupations of educational participation, social participation, play, and leisure. The presentation includes information from the development and implementation of a program for parents, families, and educators of those involved with pediatric brain injury clients. The program explored and aimed to remedy the knowledge gap among parents and educators about the process of returning to a school environment following a neurological incident by providing educational modules and resources including general information on brain injuries and school-based reintegration, available school-based supports, school-based interventions, parent and educator guidelines to reintegration, and frequently asked questions for parents and educators. The program and presentation emphasize the unique position of occupational therapists and school-based personnel during the reintegration process and highlight their distinctive roles and contributions to easing the transition and return to a school environment.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1071/thumbnail.jp
Every Moment Counts (EMC): Understanding School Stakeholder Perceptions of Positive Mental Health Promotion in the Elementary School Setting. A Preliminary Report.
Get PDFFor children and adolescents, the prevalence of psychological disorders associated with mental illness continues to rise in North America and is now considered to be the leading cause of disability for this population (Bitsko et al., 2022). It was estimated that between 25 and 50% of adult mental illnesses could be prevented through early intervention and preventative measures in childhood (Kim-Cohen et al., 2003). In an effort to address mental health promotion in schools, Dr. Susan Bazyk founded and created EMC, which is a “multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative to help all children to be mentally healthy in order to succeed in school, at home, and in the community” (Bazyk, 2023).The purpose of this capstone was two-fold. The first objective was to implement Refreshing Recess as part of the EMC initiative to promote immediate and life-long health and well-being in elementary school children. The second objective was to examine school stakeholders’ perceptions of EMC initiatives after implementation in a specific elementary school. The second objective of this capstone was done by conducting a phenomenological, qualitative research study analyzing survey responses from school stakeholders after implementation of the Refreshing Recess initiative.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1068/thumbnail.jp
The Impact of Acquired Brain Injury on Functional Cognition and Meal Preparation and Strategies to Reduce Caregiver Burnout
Get PDFIn this presentation the background, purpose, problem, methods and program results that the student completed on his doctoral capstone experience are presented.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1025/thumbnail.jp
Best Practice Toolkit for Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screenings in At-Risk Adults
Get PDFAdult individuals at risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) do not have a direct, accessible best-practice toolkit to follow for screening measures. Research showed that at least three guidelines (i.e., American Cancer Society [ACS], American College of Gastroenterology [ACG], and U.S. Preventive Services Task Forces [USPSTF]) are used interchangeably daily by interprofessional staff for individuals with average to high-risk variables. The project was guided by the following PICOT question: For interprofessional staff supporting the at-risk adult population for colorectal cancer (P), how does the development of a best practice for coordination of care toolkit (I) compared to no structured program strategy (C) influence the adherence to colorectal cancer screenings, over six weeks (T)? Analysis of the literature supported recommendations and evidence that an easy-to-navigate, direct best-practice toolkit for adults at risk for CRC increases the efficiency of appropriate screening measures. The development of this toolkit, using references from recent patient data and studies, was the selected intervention created to facilitate the appropriate care and recognize earlier diagnoses of specific populations. Interprofessional staff utilize a CRC toolkit for the at-risk population, offering an increase in the quality of care and a clear, distinctive recommendation to follow
Preoperative Education for Total Hip and Knee Replacements
Get PDFAn educational program has been developed to implement with total hip or knee replacement patients prior to their procedure to improve function with ADLs, lessen the need for caregiver assistance, and to increase patient satisfaction.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1021/thumbnail.jp
Cuisine as a Compass: Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Community, Cooking, and More within the LGBTQIA+ Population
Get PDFBackground: The LGBTQIA+ population experiences unique barriers to occupation and well being. Anti-LGBTQ legislation encroaches on inclusive and affirming care affecting occupational access. Limited occupational participation and additional exhaustive adaptive strategies to engage in occupations safely have an emotional cost. This research study explores how food or mealtime occupations such as cooking, eating, and hosting can support LGBTQIA+ well-being. This research was made possible by LGBTQIA+ participants that are experts of their lived experience.
Methods: This mixed methods research used both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data on the significance of food-based occupations, culture, mental health, and identity in LGBTQIA+ adults. Qualitative data was collected through 8 individual, semi-structured interviews, 35 survey responses, and 7 photo and caption submissions for photo elicitation. Data was analyzed and assessed using Braun and Clarke’s (2019) six steps of thematic analysis.
Results: Several themes and sub-themes emerged through the thematic analysis including joy as a process, community, negotiating identity, the power of memories and meaning-making, food as a means of expression, and symbolism in food.
Conclusions: The findings of this research are encouraged to be used to advocate for the therapeutic use of mealtime occupations in supporting the well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1052/thumbnail.jp
Navigating Life After the NICU: A Developmental Guide for Preterm and High-Risk Infants and Toddlers
Get PDFPremature and medically fragile infants are at high risk for developmental delays and benefit from ongoing support. Parents often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to support their child’s development at home. This project addressed gaps in caregiver education and support by developing the PEARLS Program (Promoting Early Achievements, Resilience, and Life Skills), a practical resource tailored to the needs of families and healthcare providers.
A needs assessment and provider feedback guided the program’s development, identifying challenges such as information overload, confusion around corrected age, and feeding difficulties. The PEARLS Program empowers families with digestible, actionable resources, including a “Going Home” packet, age-specific handouts, interactive tools, and a social media platform. These tools bridge gaps in communication and promote confidence in caregivers as they navigate their child’s growth and development.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1039/thumbnail.jp
Increasing Leisure Activity Participation and the Quality of Life of People with Dementia and their Caregivers
Get PDFThe problems associated with the progression of dementia, such as increased stress, and a decrease in engagement in leisure activities and social participation have a negative impact on the patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. In addition, there is limited research on the long-term impact of occupational therapy leisure activity programs on patients with dementia and their caregivers’ quality of life. A leisure activity program was created for people with dementia and their caregivers to improve their leisure activity engagement and quality of life. Overall, the participant’s and caregivers benefitted from this program and had positive opinions based on the post-survey responseshttps://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1007/thumbnail.jp
Helping Children with ADHD Thrive at Home and in the Classroom
Get PDFAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobiological disorder in the U.S. Yet, 69% of parents and 70% of teachers feel underprepared in their ability to support children with ADHD (Miller, 2021; Asherson, 2024). This capstone program aimed to address this issue by creating a strengths-based, family-centered program rooted in the Ayres Sensory Integration framework, designed for caregivers and teachers of children with ADHD (Ayres, 2005). Conducted at a pediatric outpatient clinic, nearly 40 parents /caregivers and teachers of children with ADHD participated in this program. Participants received an ongoing educational experience covering topics such as the neurology and neuronal wiring of the ADHD brain, sensory integration and the foundations of sensory processing, the use of coping mechanisms that provide necessary sensory input for regulation, functions of the prefrontal cortex, the concept of time blindness, the importance of positive reinforcement, a strengths-based approach to managing ADHD symptoms, and how to support children in enhancing their emotional regulation skills by combining interoception and the Zones of Regulation (Barkley, 2023; Kuypers, 2011). This program was effective in achieving its goals of increasing education and resources available to caregivers and teachers of children with ADHD.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1051/thumbnail.jp