Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Studies, Xavier University, 2021, Leadership Studies and Human Resource Development

This correlational analysis study tested the hypothesis and answered the research questions. The theoretical framework revealed the relationship between the predictor and outcome variables through a correlational investigation into how an individual identifies on the leader and follower distinction and if that identity affects adaptive coping responses. The study utilized survey instrumentation, which was distributed to the population of healthcare professionals. The study's findings supported the indication that there is a positive correlation between leader identity and adaptive coping. The finding of a significant, positive correlation between leader identity and adaptive coping does have predictive value. These results indicate that health care workers who score higher in leader identity are predicted to have higher levels of adaptive coping. The data did not support the prediction of a negative correlation between follower identity and adaptive coping. No correlation was found between follower identity and adaptive coping in this study. Variations in adaptive coping do not co-vary with follower identity. Therefore, higher levels of follower identity do not predict lower levels of adaptive coping. Additionally, the research revealed no significant interaction effect between leader and follower identity and adaptive coping responses.

Committee: Gail F. Latta Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Saul Schneider J.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Health Care

DNP, Kent State University, 2024, College of Nursing

Lateral violence (LV) in healthcare remains a critical issue, impacting both staff well-being and patient care quality. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to raise awareness of LV and provide practical strategies for healthcare professionals to address it effectively. Educational sessions were developed to define LV, explore its causes and consequences, and teach Cognitive Rehearsal (CR) techniques to combat LV. The project also emphasized organizational policy reviews, scenario-based learning, and promoting a culture of safety through continuing education. The QI initiative was conducted in a 269-bed acute care hospital, with two educational sessions held: one virtual session open to all hospital employees and an in-person session with the Nursing Practice Council. In total, 33 healthcare professionals attended the sessions. Participants were provided with educational materials, including an infographic and a pocket card summarizing LV concepts and CR responses. Data collection involved interactive polls and post-session evaluations, with results indicating 70% of participants had experienced LV and 91% reported feeling more knowledgeable about its impact. Participants expressed increased confidence in recognizing and addressing LV, with 73% rating the sessions as excellent. The project's findings highlight the value of combining educational interventions with policy reinforcement to promote awareness and improve responses to LV in healthcare. Limitations of the project include small sample size, limited post-session feedback, and the short-term nature of follow-up, all of which restrict the ability to assess the long-term impact of the intervention. Despite these limitations, this project has demonstrated positive results in enhancing awareness and offering practical strategies to address LV. Future initiatives could expand participation, include long-term assessments, and incorporate simulation exercises to further strengthen staff competency in (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Denise Pacholski DNP, APRN, NP-C (Committee Chair); Tracey Motter DNP, RN (Committee Member); Karen Mascolo DNP, RN (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Care; Nursing

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2024, Speech Pathology and Audiology

The current trend in the healthcare field is that professionals other than speech language pathologists are performing the 3-ounce water screening. This study aims to determine how effective two short, online training modules are at educating other professionals about dysphagia and the 3-ounce water screen. This pilot study utilized a survey comparing eight questions pre and post training. The findings demonstrated a statistical improvement in participant's knowledge regarding dysphagia and the 3-ounce water screen and overall confidence regarding their knowledge following the training. While these findings support the hypotheses it demonstrated a need for future research regarding survey questions, standardization of training, and best way to disseminate the training.

Committee: Donna Scarborough (Advisor); Susan Brehm (Committee Member); Renee Gottliebson (Committee Member) Subjects: Nursing; Speech Therapy

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2022, Individual Interdisciplinary Program

This dissertation broadly explores the experiences of breastfeeding of Ecuadorian women who are mothers and healthcare professionals. The objective of this study is to investigate and understand how these female healthcare professionals managed their identities when experiencing breastfeeding and the communication interactions between them and their families, patients, and colleagues when discussing breastfeeding. Based on the Constructivist Grounded theory approach, as well as drawing from 60 virtual semi-structured interviews and collecting over 90 photos and stories through photovoice with nurses, physicians, and nutritionists who experienced breastfeeding, I highlight and theorize how breastfeeding was a co-created negotiated process in which tensions related to its initiation and maintenance arose. Likewise, building upon previous research from feminist theorists, I illustrate how breastfeeding and breast milk expression is seen as an extra layer of corporeal labor by my participants when they came back to their paid job as healthcare professionals. This study illustrates the necessity of improving public health strategies to support breastfeeding practices among Ecuadorian working mothers. This dissertation was guided by two research questions. I present the findings in chapters four, five, and six. In chapter four I highlight the four themes and five subthemes that describe the breastfeeding experiences of these female healthcare professionals. In chapter five, I illustrate the four themes that emerged from the photographs that the participants brought to the interviews to narrate specific moments of their breastfeeding experiences. In chapter six, I offer a photo novella as health communication material to raise awareness of breastfeeding practices of working mothers. Lastly, in chapter seven I conclude the dissertation with a discussion of the findings, theoretical and practical implications, as well as recommendations for future research.

Committee: Benjamin Bates (Advisor); Mario Grijalva (Committee Co-Chair); Lynn Harter (Committee Member); Bella Vivat (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Public Health; Public Health Education

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2021, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

The shortage of Medical Laboratory Professionals (MLP) has been an ongoing problem for over a decade, primarily due to areas of discontent of MLP. Initiatives to improve these problematic areas of discontent have been and continue to be important to the field of medical laboratory science in regard to recruiting and retaining these essential professionals. Previous research has uncovered significant factors associated with discontent including; salary levels, lack of advancement, public awareness and esteem. This study explores the issues of awareness, respect, and recognition of the MLP within the context of the healthcare community, the impact on professional status among other healthcare professionals and the association with career satisfaction and professional engagement. This longitudinal survey presents data from samples of laboratory professionals collected both prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (n= 371) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=380). Results of the current study indicate that more than half of respondents do not feel respected by other healthcare professionals and more than 90% indicated that other healthcare professionals do not understand the educational requirements and level of responsibility of the MLP. Additional analysis reveals that perceived lack of respect and understanding by members of other healthcare professions have a statistically significant impact on the career satisfaction of MLP. The current study highlights the need to address awareness, respect, and understanding of the valuable contribution of the MLP, specifically, among other healthcare professionals. The implication of creating change related to respect, recognition, and awareness within the healthcare community is discussed as a means of developing positive professional identity and status and improving recruitment and retention of vital medical laboratory professionals.

Committee: Karen Larwin PhD (Advisor); Kelly Colwell EdD (Committee Member); Maria Delost PhD (Committee Member); Patrick Spearman PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Health Care; Medicine; Pathology

EdD, University of Cincinnati, 2007, Education : Literacy

Addressing the issues of language socialization and identity reconstruction of foreign healthcare professionals (FHPs) at work is of paramount importance for the quality of healthcare in the U.S. today. In 2005, the American Medical Association's (AMA) statistics indicated that 23.3% of the total U.S. physician population consisted of foreign professionals trained in 127 different countries. Despite this sizeable percentage and the diversity of foreign healthcare professionals who currently work in the U.S., the challenges in the process of their language socialization and identity reconstruction at work have not received an adequate attention in the research literature. This 24-month qualitative study focuses on the language socialization and identity reconstruction of four Bulgarian healthcare professionals (BHPs) in two healthcare institutions and one medical university in a large Midwestern city. Qualitative methodology, used in this study, included an analysis of the three healthcare institutions' websites and work-related documents, semi-structured interviews with the four focal and the eleven non-focal participants (family members, colleagues, HR officials, trainers, advisors, and supervisors), and a focus group discussion. Findings revealed that the BHPs acquired functional proficiency in the written and oral interactions at work through formal and informal support, but still experienced frustrations due to unfamiliarity and differences with tacit socio-cultural rules and demands specific to the U.S. workplace context. Findings suggested that BHPs had to be computer literate and proactive in their search for help at work to succeed in the U.S. workplace. On the other hand, HR officials, trainers, and supervisors in U.S. healthcare institutions should be aware that FHPs need a continuous support system in order to adapt successfully to the language and culture at work and be able to cater to the U.S. healthcare institutions' needs. The findings of this stud (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. Gulbahar Beckett (Advisor) Subjects:

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2004, Allied Health Sciences : Genetic Counseling

Qualitative interviews were completed with parents of children under the age of one who were born with cleft lip and/or palate. This study characterizes parental concerns and stresses during the first year of their children's lives and clarifies what parental expectations of healthcare professionals. Concerns included stress of surgeries before and after the procedure(s), difficulty with feeding, and the social and cosmetic implications for their child. All participants were satisfied with their children's care. Interventions identified as effective included repetition of information, showing pictures of other children (before and after surgery), and anticipatory guidance about surgeries and their children's development. Parents want healthcare professionals to use more written and visual information, to have more contact with other parents of children born with clefts, and would like healthcare professionals outside the Craniofacial Center to be more knowledgeable about cleft lip and/or palate.

Committee: Howard Saal (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science (MSP), University of Toledo, 2011, College of Pharmacy

Health care providers should have a better understanding of how a fibromyalgia patient perceives their illness in order to tailor interventions specific to the patient's biological and psychosocial needs. A cross-sectional, exploratory study design was used to evaluate the perceived contributing factors, locus of control and self-efficacy of 267 female fibromyalgia patients via an online survey. The most frequent perceived contributing factors were stress/worry, overwork and accident or injury. Participants tended to have a more internal locus of control and lower levels of self-efficacy. Respondents with an internal locus of control were more confident in performing skills necessary to manage their fibromyalgia compared to those respondents with an external locus of control. The internal reliability and validity of the survey instrument was acceptable. Healthcare professionals can use this survey to assess fibromyalgia patients' beliefs about their illness and their ability to effectively participate in self-management techniques.

Committee: Sharrel Pinto PhD (Committee Chair); Curtis Black PhD (Committee Member); Varun Vaidya PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Behaviorial Sciences; Health Care; Pharmacy Sciences; Social Research