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There is a serious need for early childhood intervention practices for children who are living at or below the poverty line. Since 1965 Head Start has provided a federally funded, free preschool program for children in this population. The City of Phoenix Head Start program consists of nine delegate agencies,

There is a serious need for early childhood intervention practices for children who are living at or below the poverty line. Since 1965 Head Start has provided a federally funded, free preschool program for children in this population. The City of Phoenix Head Start program consists of nine delegate agencies, seven of which reside in school districts. These agencies are currently not conducting local longitudinal evaluations of their preschool graduates. The purpose of this study was to recommend initial steps the City of Phoenix grantee and the delegate agencies can take to begin a longitudinal evaluation process of their Head Start programs. Seven City of Phoenix Head Start agency directors were interviewed. These interviews provided information about the attitudes of the directors when considering longitudinal evaluations and how Head Start already evaluates their programs through internal assessments. The researcher also took notes on the Third Grade Follow-Up to the Head Start Executive Summary in order to make recommendations to the City of Phoenix Head Start programs about the best practices for longitudinal student evaluations.
Created2014-05
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Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a critical development in HIV prevention, yet females at risk of contracting HIV have lower rates of PrEP use compared to their male counterparts. Insufficient knowledge on PrEP indications for women has been a key barrier in health care providers (HCP) utilization of PrEP in

Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a critical development in HIV prevention, yet females at risk of contracting HIV have lower rates of PrEP use compared to their male counterparts. Insufficient knowledge on PrEP indications for women has been a key barrier in health care providers (HCP) utilization of PrEP in this population. Prior research has revealed educational interventions improved providers’ use of PrEP in at risk populations. Methods: A 1-hour, educational session was developed for eleven HCPs at a university-based clinic. The educational session was guided by the Cognitive Learning Theory and included information on clinical practice guidelines for PrEP implementation in women. The effects of the intervention were analyzed using a pre/post-survey design, with post surveys delivered at two and eight weeks. The 16-item survey evaluated outcomes including provider discussion and prescription rates of PrEP with female patients and perceived knowledge and perceptions of PrEP in women, utilizing a Likert scale. All procedures were given exempt status by the university IRB. Results: Paired sample t tests were used to analyze provider reported conversations and prescription rates, while matched ordinal data were analyzed utilizing Wilcoxon signed rank tests and descriptive statistics. At two-weeks post intervention there was a significant increase in provider’s reported likelihood of prescribing to at risk cis gender females in the next six months (Mdn= 2 [pre-survey], Mdn = 3 [post-survey], α= 0.05, V = 0.00, z = -2.53, p = .011). At eight weeks postintervention, there was a statistically significant decrease in provider’s beliefs that HIV risk assessment was an essential component of a primary care visit for female patients (Mdn = 3.00 [pre], Mdn = 2.00 [eight-week], α= 0.05, V = 10.00, z = -2, p = .046). The results of the data analysis have been shared with the leadership team of the health clinic and used to inform future practice on provider educational sessions on PrEP. Conclusion: Women at risk of contracting HIV are a key demographic missed for the utilization of PrEP. Limited statistically significant findings from the intervention have prompted further research to focus on interventions that promote long-term behavior change and improve providers implementation practices of the preventive measure in at-risk female identifying patients.
Created2021-04-25
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Background: Diabetes (DM) is a costly disease that negatively impacts patients and the healthcare system that requires complex and structured management. Literature has shown a gap in effective, structured diabetic education and management for providers and patients. Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to investigate the impact

Background: Diabetes (DM) is a costly disease that negatively impacts patients and the healthcare system that requires complex and structured management. Literature has shown a gap in effective, structured diabetic education and management for providers and patients. Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to investigate the impact of how outreach, through a structured educational care plan, affects healthcare team experience, perception, and impact on their ability to communicate and comanage patients' chronic diabetes. Utilizing telemedicine as an alternative to the office visit healthcare model to address a gap in care by providing ongoing, structured diabetes education and management. Methods: A small-scale study initially included ten participants, with five that completed the study. This included the Population Outreach Team (POT), one provider, and four auxiliary support staff. They were introduced to and utilized a care plan tool (CPT) to assist providers and auxiliary health team communication and education delivery to patients with DM. The theoretical and implementation framework that guided the study was based on the nudge theory, focused on altering habits and behavior, and the Model for Improvement supporting future alterations and improvement as identified. A CPT was designed based on HEDIS diabetes measures and the American Diabetic Association (ADA). Improvement was measured through nine question pre- and post-surveys with an additional four questions specific to the CPT use based on a modified RAND Likert scale patient satisfaction survey. A post-qualitative interview with the provider was conducted to gain further insight into CPT use and perception. Results: A total of ten healthcare and auxiliary participants joined the study; of these, five completed it. The data, including the pre- and post-perception surveys, were collected over a 6-week study period with a post-implementation interview with one provider. Data analysis was captured through descriptive statistics. Pre-perception, M = 19.6 (SD. 4.04, 14 – 25). Post-perception, M = 7.60 (SD. 1.34, 6 – 9). CPT perception post, M = 14.4 (SD. 3.65, 10 – 18). A lower score indicated improvement. The interview identified the following barriers that impacted the CPT's success, including the patient-provider relationship, EHR "easability", patient readiness, and patient education barriers. Conclusion: This small study indicated the positive impact structured, ongoing education provides to improve communication and comanage patients' with DM through the POT improved perception with CPT use. Barriers identified will assist with future implementations and other areas for improvement, which may increase success in the objective of this study and the delivery of healthcare for patients with DM. Future utilization of this intervention may be easily translated to other primary care environments. The intention is that successful DM management may lead to decreased medical management, complications, and financial strain.
ContributorsWilde, Daniella (Author) / Moffett, Carol (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-05-01
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Background: There is growing evidence that persistent exposure to the adverse effects of stressful work conditions, abuse, and re-traumatization without proper intervention leads to compassion fatigue (CF) and reduced compassion satisfaction (CS). Without appropriate intervention, the outcome of CF affects the patient, staff, and the organization. Despite proposed self-care measures,

Background: There is growing evidence that persistent exposure to the adverse effects of stressful work conditions, abuse, and re-traumatization without proper intervention leads to compassion fatigue (CF) and reduced compassion satisfaction (CS). Without appropriate intervention, the outcome of CF affects the patient, staff, and the organization. Despite proposed self-care measures, mental health (MH) workers continue to struggle with CF and lack the resources to combat the issue. Objectives: Ongoing awareness on the implications of trauma and its impact on one's behavior, supports the use of Trauma-informed care (TIC) skills in creating a conducive work environment. This quality improvement project examines the efficacy of TIC education as an intervention for CF pre/post-one-hour education session among MH workers. Methods: MH nurses (n=8) from diverse backgrounds in a Phoenix inpatient psychiatric hospital gave consent for the study. Participation was sought via flyers and entailed attending the one-hour education session, filling out a demographic, and pre/post-professional quality of life (ProQol) surveys. The ProQol standardized tool measures CF, CS, and burnout with reliability >0.70. Expected outcomes include a reduction in CF and an improvement in CS. Data analysis using intellectus software involved descriptive analysis and paired t-tests to compare outcomes. Results: Pre/post data analysis was statistically significant, P = 0.003, which shows a reduction in CF and an improvement in CS. Conclusion: TIC as an intervention for CF looks promising. MH nurses can manage their stress symptoms and that of their patients using TIC skills.
ContributorsOnyia, Nneka (Author) / Guthery, Ann (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-29
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Introduction: The objective of this study is to emphasize the significance of exclusive breastfeeding (EB) and investigate methods to encourage and sustain it within a hospital environment. Using the self-efficacy theory, the study seeks to improve the current support system for breastfeeding mothers and their families. Methods: The project was

Introduction: The objective of this study is to emphasize the significance of exclusive breastfeeding (EB) and investigate methods to encourage and sustain it within a hospital environment. Using the self-efficacy theory, the study seeks to improve the current support system for breastfeeding mothers and their families. Methods: The project was approved by the university IRB and facility IRB; guidelines were maintained. The project takes place in a non-profit organization in the southwestern United States. Education was conducted at a required staff meeting for Women and Infant Services (WIS) floor about supporting breastfeeding mothers. A pre- and post-education Breastfeeding Knowledge Scale (BKS) survey was performed, effectiveness was measured using a two-tailed t-test. The reliability of the BKS scale is 0.83 and the validity of the scale is reported to be strong. The hospital measures the EB rates of patients that are greater than 37 weeks gestation without need for neonatal intensive unit care and the mom requests to breastfeed. Results: The goal was 42% rate of EB in the first 48 hours after birth. After education the average rate of EB was 39.6%, lower than the goal but higher than the 33.7% rate before education. A two-tailed paired sample t-test (n=27) was used for BKS and the results were significant based on an alpha value; thus, showing significant knowledge gain. Conclusion: Consistent staff education improves breastfeeding support for moms in the hospital, leading to successful exclusive breastfeeding. This project benefits various settings, such as pediatric, postpartum, labor and delivery, and pediatric offices.
ContributorsHudson, Jennifer (Author) / Esperas, Amanda (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-26