Graduate student works

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Graduate theses and projects completed by Spring Arbor University graduate students.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Changing Minds, Saving Lives: Changing Parent Perceptions on Childhood Immunizations
    (Spring Arbor University, 2022-06-26) Roth, Sarah
    Once a problem is identified in healthcare, the goal is to improve health outcomes. A solution to the problem was created for future practice scholarship using evidence-based practice skills. On a macro level, nation-wide data has been published stating that “the rate of childhood immunizations completed during this pandemic has decreased significantly” (Daley, 2020). Versus on a micro level, the local health department has been running into some barriers since COVID-19 hitting the nation, of having the children population continue to be able to receive their scheduled immunizations (such as Hepatitis A or Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)). Provide thorough education during the immunization wavier education sessions at the local health department to attempt to change the perceptions of parents/guardians regarding routine scheduled immunization compliance for their child/children 18 years of age or younger. There is a severe problem at hand that the author has identified. It needs to be addressed at a local level. If vaccine rates continue to decline currently, there will start to be a more significant concern for a decrease in HERD immunity, possibly leading to the measles or whooping cough outbreak, leading to another pandemic.
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    Educational Advances Increasing Perceived Self-Efficacy in Short Bowel Syndrome Utilizing Social Media
    (2022-05-01) Lynn, Willis-Carr
    Short bowel syndrome is complicated and requires complex treatment with a multidisciplinary team. The project Educational Advances to Increase Self-Efficacy in Short Bowel Syndrome Utilizing Social Media incorporates an established Facebook short bowel syndrome support group and the development of a web-based site in assisting caregivers who are having challenges providing care for their child with the diagnosis. The evidence suggests many patients and parents may feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities and medical requirements for this specific diagnosis as most patients require medical devices such as a central line, gastric tube, and/or surgical interventions consequently requiring an ostomy. Key terms include central line, social media, parenteral nutrition, absorptive capacity, short bowel syndrome, infection, Facebook, gastric tube, intestinal resection, ostomy, and self-efficacy. The goal of this evidence­ based project was to improve perceived self-efficacy through patient and parent/caregiver education. The project accomplished the goal in assisting parents and patients in transitioning home by creating a web resource providing evidence-based practices for common concerns and issues faced by the population with short bowel syndrome. An additional goal was to increase the caregiver knowledge base in caring for the patient with short bowel syndrome by the use of educational resources on the website. The Facebook support group hosted the website for an allotted time. Participants who used the website were asked to complete a pre-and post-General Self-Efficacy Scale (Appendix D) survey regarding perceived self-efficacy, usefulness, helpfulness, and the website’s benefit. The survey results were utilized to evaluate the website’s efficacy. The budget encompassed the cost of designing the website, survey, and maintaining the website. As the evidence has shown, the objectives were met, although budget changes were made. The feasibility of implementing the project was reasonable and completed without difficulty. Key findings include an increase in perceived self-efficacy after utilization of the website based on data analyzed from the pre and post-test.
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    Effects of COVID-19 on Depression Symptoms in the Adult Population
    (2022-04-03) Page, Shari
    The recent coronavirus pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19) is causing increased isolation because of quarantines and social isolation. Job loss has caused worry about whether one can pay bills and meet the necessities of life. COVID-19 has affected everyone at some level. Understanding the effects it has on a patient's mental health is essential. Ozdin and Ozdin (2020) “state women and individuals with previous mental illnesses are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” This study measured depression, anxiety, and health anxiety levels during the pandemic. Chew et al. (2020) “studied psychosocial responses of the general population towards previous severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemics.” Common themes were found: anxiety, fear, depression, anger, guilt, grief, and loss. The takeaway is focus needs placed on awareness of psychosocial needs and access to psychological help during the COVID-19 outbreak. This evidence-based project (EBP) aims to identify the effect COVID-19 has had on symptoms of depression in the adult population. Participants were each given a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and quantitative survey at their initial visit. Current patients of family practice, age 18 and older, were invited to participate in this evidence-based project (EBP), and informed consent will be signed that outlines the project. Participants received a follow-up call six weeks later. During this call, participants received the PHQ-9 questionnaire again, and a survey was constructed to determine the benefit of the handout. Their pre-COVID PHQ-9 was compared with their current PHQ-9 to determine the effects of COVID-19 on trending depressive symptoms in this population. This study analyzed survey trend results to understand better the long-term mental health effects of COVID-19 on the adult population. Results showed an increase in participants' PHQ-9 scores during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic PHQ-9s. PHQ-9s are done post- intervention demonstrated guided imagery is beneficial in reducing depression. The spiritual information that participants took also showed beneficial for participants. There are few studies currently available as this is a new pandemic. This study and more like it are needed better to understand the effects of COVID-19 on mental health.
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    Identification of Burnout in Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    (2022-05-01) Nelson, Joie Linn
    Registered Nurses at Henry Ford Jackson suffer symptoms of burnout due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, which has created stress, fatigue, and impacted overall health. This burnout is demonstrated in the increasing turnover rate for nursing. The nurse turnover rate at Henry Ford Jackson rose 3.4% from 2019 to 2020 and continued to rise throughout 2021, reaching 26.4%. In exit interviews, nurses reported feelings of burnout, fatigue, loss of job satisfaction, anxiety, and depression as their reasons for leaving. These nurses identified a lack of personal wellness since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and have requested peer and emotional support programs to assist them with coping and post-traumatic growth. As a result, developing a true wellness program that meets the psychological needs of the nursing staff, such as psychological first aid and journal therapy, is essential to improve morale, improve overall health, and reduce nursing turnover. Identification tools, such as the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), can identify and measure burnout for nurses. Identifying and measuring burnout aids in initiating wellness strategies which decrease symptoms of burnout, ultimately decreasing nurse turnover. The BAT has shown the ability to measure burnout and has been validated in the Netherlands for it’s use in assessing general practitioners, psychologists, and occupational physicians (Schaufeli et al., 2020). However, the BAT has limited use in the United States, specifically in nursing.
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    The Role of Religion and Technology in the Treatment of Depression
    (2022-05-01) Stoughton, Alison
    The project regarding religion and technology in the treatment of depression is an intentional investigation of several concepts. Religion and technology have independently been found to be helpful in treatment of depression, a pervasive and major cause of disability in the United States (Apaydin et al., 2018). This evidence-based project (EBP) intends to apply these concepts to a clinical support tool for depression. An application was designed compiling various online religious media resources for personal depression support. A convenience sample of patients from a rural private practice, was collected over three months. A pretest-posttest design was utilized to measure the efficacy of this application in improving mood. The surveys include demographic indicators, categorical questions, and the standardized Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for information collection. Descriptive statistics and f-tests were used to analyze the data collected for improvement in the subjective experience of depression. This was measured through three objectives: the PHQ-9 score, self-reported improvement in symptoms, and self-reported desire to continue using the application. The difference between the mean PHQ-9 score on the pre-test and post-test is 2.39 (P=0.0951), demonstrating some improvement in scores. The two-tailed f-test suggests that this difference is not statistically significant. Participants reported that 48% noticed an improvement in their symptoms with use of this application for a month. This falls short of the benchmark of >50%. Participants also reported that 64% of them are likely to continue to use this application. This measure exceeded the benchmark set for success of >50%. The outcomes reflect minimal benefit with the intervention though sample size and study design suggest caution with generalization of these results.