In Pursuit of Affordable Health Care: On the Ground Lessons From Families in Massachusetts

Based on focus group discussions, compares the coverage and healthcare costs of families with employer-sponsored insurance and those without after the state's 2006 healthcare reform. Draws lessons on eligibility rules, enrollment procedures, and outreach

Impact of physical function on health outcomes in older community-dwelling women

In previous epidemiologic studies, poor physical function has been associated with increased risks of nursing home placement, hospitalization, and mortality in older adults. However, these associations are subject to confounding and misclassification. Studies to date do not adequately account for these biases; previous studies have evaluated only cross-sectional associations, followed participants for less than ten years, or inadequately controlled for confounders by using only baseline values of characteristics that vary over time.5,75,106 In addition, no study has finely controlled for age, the strongest predictor of both physical function and health outcomes such as mortality and institutionalization in older adults. This dissertation is comprised of three studies that evaluated the associations between physical performance and skeletal health, respectively, with mortality and long-term nursing home residence while utilizing age-based risk set sampling, evaluating mediation by osteoporotic fractures, and controlling for death as a competing risk. All studies in this dissertation use data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, a longitudinal epidemiologic study of older women with over 20 years of follow-up. Study 1 evaluated the association between physical performance and incident disability, using time-dependent exposures and confounders, and age-based risk sets to control for age. Women with poorer performance based on individual measures of physical function had an increased risk of incident disability over follow-up. Similarly, a whole body summary physical performance score was linearly associated with increased risk of death. Study 2 evaluates the association between low bone mineral density and mortality. Women with low bone mineral density were more likely to experience a fracture and to die compared to women with normal bone mineral density. Mediation analyses suggested that incident fracture had a measureable impact on this association, though this varied by fracture site. Study 3 evaluates the association between slow gait speed and risk of long-term nursing home placement while controlling for death as a competing risk. Women with slow gait speed had an increased risk of long-term nursing home residence, which was slightly attenuated when considering death as a competing risk. These results extend previous studies of the health effects of physical function among older women. The findings underscore the clinical importance of physical function and bone mineral density (BMD) for identifying older adults for whom interventions to improve their physical function may prolong their independence and optimize health

Innovation in services: corporate culture and investment banking

The article discusses service innovation in the investment banking industry. Service industry innovations differ from innovations in industries that produce physical products because they rarely have intellectual property and patent protections. However, investment banking services are typically a series of interrelated businesses such as consulting, wealth management and accounting, and innovations require a business wide coordinated approach. The authors argue that a strong corporate culture can support rather than hinder innovation. The creation of such a culture requires strong leadership and an emphasis on innovation in hiring and promotions

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

A deeper dive into Cerebral Venous Thrombosis including, pathological process, risk factors, signs and symptoms, how to diagnose, treatment, nursing implications and a case study

Assessing the Scholarly Productivity of Allied Health Faculty

No abstract available

Predictors of Job Satisfaction of Nurses and Allied Health Professionals

No abstract available

An Exploration of Pediatric Occupational Therapist\u27s Perspectives on Functional and Assistive Mobility

Background: Occupational therapists (OTs) are highly skilled in assessing context, environment, and sensory-motor needs which are critical in addressing functional mobility and implementing assistive mobility devices. There is limited research on pediatric OT’s role in functional mobility. This study aims to explore pediatric OT\u27s roles and perceptions of functional mobility and the implementation and use of assistive mobility devices. Methods: Data was collected via an online survey with an option to participate in a follow-up interview. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to summarize trends and differences in the data. Results: Twenty licensed OTs working in a variety of pediatric settings participated in the survey. Four participated in the interview. Participants indicated that they perceived functional mobility as part of their role with less emphasis on their role when assistive mobility devices are introduced. Three key themes emerged from qualitative data: functional mobility as a means to an end, disconnect between perception and practice, and blurred lines in scope of practice. Discussion: Occupational therapists have an important role in addressing functional mobility, including the implementation and use of assistive mobility devices. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding scope of practice when addressing functional mobility as well as addressing implementation and use of assistive mobility devices.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1037/thumbnail.jp

Strategic planning and quality management at the University of Queensland Library

This paper describes the University of Queensland Library’s strategic planning and quality management processes. Priority areas, benchmarking initiatives and performance measurement are discussed, as is the Annual Review, at which priority areas for address in the coming year are determined. One of the strengths of the Library’s quality program, through the planning process, is that new initiatives, once proven are then integrated into standard operating procedure. Both the staff and the Library benefit from this, and the Library’s culture is one of continuous improvement. The customer is the focus of all activities. Successful outcomes to which the strategic planning and quality processes have contributed are described

Techniques Utilised to Incorporate Environmentally Focused Service Learning Projects into Courses in Biology and Economics

Sacred Heart University has emphasised the use of service learning for over five years. Service Learning offers students opportunities to learn and develop through active participation in service experiences that are integrated into the academic curriculum. The work meets community needs and is directly linked to the content of the course. A Service Learning course includes reflection and analysis of the service experience. Two recent courses at Sacred Heart University incorporated environmentally focused service learning projects: one in biology and one in economics. This paper discusses the development and outcomes of these two projects: a park restoration project and a feasibility study for a local environmental organisation. In addition, the authors provide suggestions on how to incorporate environmentally focused Service Learning projects into a college curriculum on either a mandatory or optional basis