Browsing by Subject "Translational Medical Research"
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Item A Sun Awareness Pilot Project(2002-05-01) Franklin, Gillian A.; Claudia Coggin; Kristine A. Lykens; Doug A. MainsFranklin, Gillian A., A Sun Awareness Pilot Project. Masters of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), May 2002, 53 pp., 7 tables, bibliography, 48 titles. The most common cancer in the United States today is skin cancer; it is also the most preventable. At least 90% of all skin cancers is caused by sun exposure. Americans have a one in six lifetime risk of developing skin cancer and in Texas the rate is one in three. The purpose of this pilot project was to increase the level of sun protection knowledge and awareness in parents who brought their children in for a six-month immunization visit. The project was modeled after the Australian Cancer Council’s “Slip! Slop! Slap!” campaign. Data was collected from five pediatric clinics in this pretest/posttest design study. Multiple variables regarding demographics, skin type, knowledge, beliefs, sun-protective practices, and attitudes were included. Overall, parental sun protective knowledge and awareness increased. The information obtained from this pilot project may influence future public health decisions regarding education and prevention of skin cancers.Item Child Nutrition and Hygiene Practices Related to Dental Caries in Preschool Children(2006-08-01) Sterba, Jennifer A.; Urrutia-Rojas, Ximena; Coggin, ClaudiaSterba R.D.H., B.S., Jennifer A. Child Nutrition and Hygiene Practices Related to Dental Caries in Pre-School Children. Master of Public Health (Community Health), August 2006, 50 pp., bibliography, 22 titles. Dental caries is a significant public health issue among low income children. Head start is a child developmental program that provides education and health services for low income families. One hundred and thirty seven children, age’s three to six, and their parents/guardians enrolled in four sites at Head Start Greater Dallas, Inc. participated in this study. Fifty-three percent of all children had evidence of early childhood caries. In this study, parents/guardians reported adequate nutrition and hygiene practices of their child’s oral health, but children still show a high incidence of caries. Therefore, preventive educational services provided by a dental professional would be beneficial to the Head Start families to improve children’s oral health.Item Development of a Subjective Comfort Questionnaire for Hydrogel Contact Lens Wearers(2003-12-01) Hays, Brian Hunter; Sheedlo, Harold; Stein, Jerry; Atiles, LuisThroughout this paper it is written that I would complete this study in its entirety. Due to time constraints and the length of this study, it was planned from the beginning that I would only accomplish the beginning phases, phases one and two. The reason why this paper was written this way, planning the complete research plan, is to aid the individuals that will finish this study in its entirety. I. Purpose. The purpose of this project is to develop a questionnaire that can be used as a tool to measure the subjective symptoms of ocular comfort or discomfort reported by soft contact lens wearers. After a questionnaire has been developed, it will be tested to determine its reliability and validity in capturing the ocular sensations experienced by hydrogel contact lens wearers. II. Overview of the study. The research for the study will be conducted in six phases while pursuing three specific aims. The phases will consist of: A. reviewing literature in the form of reported soft contact lens symptomatology and interviewing skill improvement, compiling and B. examining previously developed questionnaires, developing open-ended interview questions and collecting data from the field. C. developing preliminary questionnaire items based on data gained during the first phase. D. administering the preliminary questionnaire to receive feedback from volunteers with regards to each item’s appropriateness, and tallying the volunteer's responses to graphically analyze each item’s answer distribution. E. refining each item based on the data obtained during the third phase to create a revised draft of the questionnaire. F. determining if the revised draft conveyed and captured the ideas reported by the volunteers by receiving feedback after it is administered. G. demonstrating reliability and validity by psychometrically validating the questionnaire. During each administrational phase of the study (phases three, five and six) two groups of volunteers will be used to gain a broader spectrum of data. Each group will be composed of a sub-set of previously interviewed volunteers and a sub-set of new volunteers. Before any information is obtained, a confidentiality agreement will be discussed with each volunteer. All volunteers will be given a simple, easy to read informed consent form and a randomly assigned number.Item Documentation of Preventive Medicine Practices in a University-Based Primary Care Clinic System: A Pilot Study(2001-05-01) Benavides, John Paul; Benavides, John Paul; Rene, Antonio A.; Marshall, Muriel A.Benavides, John P., Rene, Antonio A., Marshall Muriel A., Singh, Karan P. Documentation of Preventive Medicine Practices in a University-Based Primary Care Clinic System: A Pilot Study. The Significance of tracking preventive services is important when one considers the changing mortality patterns over the past century. Preventable sources of morbidity and mortality, highlighted by smoking and unhealthy nutritional and physical activity patterns, has resulted in over 700,000 deaths a year and provide examples for the need to optimize the delivery of primary prevention. The purpose of this study was to determine the delivery of preventive services in an osteopathic medicine-based university primary care system. Five family practice clinics affiliated with a university-based health science center participated. These clinics serve as ambulatory practice sites for faculty osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and medical students. There were over 30,000 outpatient visits last year to the five family practice clinics. Differences in Preventive Flow Sheet documentation rates among the different clinics was noted. Female preventive flow sheet documentation was the most commonly performed, but cardiovascular risk assessment was the least documented. Females were also observed to have more preventive service documentation concerning alcohol use, abuse, and addiction.Item Education of Parents of Newborns with Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate by Healthcare Professionals in Texas Hospitals(2005-05-01) Schimmoller, Mary V.; Sue LurieSchimmoller, Mary V. Education of Parents of Newborns with Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate by Healthcare Professionals in Texas Hospitals. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 2005, 37 pp., references, 22 titles. The purpose of this study was to ascertain what, how, when and by whom information is given to parents of cleft lip/palate newborns in Texas hospitals and whether additional information is needed. Methods: Telephone interviews with 97 health care professionals who provide initial care to moms of cleft lip/palate newborns in the 159 Texas hospitals with more than 500 live births in 2003/2004. Findings: 76% of respondents said information given to parents of cleft newborns in effective/ very effective, 63% gave conflicting responses on whether babies with cleft can breastfeed, 35% said additional information is needed, 7% said they need information in additional languages. Conclusion: Information given to parents with cleft lip/palate newborns in Texas hospitals is inconsistent and often insufficient.Item Enhancing the Care of the Elderly; An Educational Intervention to Improve Nutritional Knowledge of Nursing Home Staff(1998-06-01) Cummings, Dana; Gilbert Ramirez; Claudia Coggin; Antonio ReneCummings, Dana M., Enhancing the Care of Elderly; an Educational Intervention to Improve Nutritional Knowledge of Nursing Home Staff. Master of Public Health, June 1998, 81 p.p., 5 tables, bibliography, 15 titles. Gross deficiencies exist in the quality and quantity of health care personnel taking care of the aged (Hersch, 1989). Eighty to ninety percent of nursing home staff are untrained aides paid the minimum wage to care for one of the sickest and frailest populations in the United States (Patenaude, 1997). The purpose of this study was to determine if short term nutrition education, utilizing principles for adult learners, would result in knowledge improvement in nursing home staff. An interactive, participatory instructional model was implemented into an existing structure of regular staff inservices to answer this question. To test the effectiveness of the intervention a questionnaire was developed using items from previously validated instruments. Using three nursing homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, a total of 157 pre-test and 132 post-test questionnaires were completed. A significant increase in overall knowledge from 80.6% at baseline to 96.1% at post-test was found (p [less than] .001). Participants also showed a significant (p [less than] 0.001) overall increase in knowledge for each of the three learning domains; patient care related to nutrition, food and fluid intake of residents, and eating. These findings suggest that employing short-term education to nursing home staff, using principles for adult learners, can improve nutritional knowledge significantly.Item Evaluation of Spanish Cancer Prevention Education Materials: How Well is the Message Being Received(2006-08-01) Rodriguez, Donna; Gonzalez, Adela; Lurie, SueRodriguez, Donna. Evaluation of Spanish Cancer Prevention Education Materials: How Well is the Message Being Received. Master of Public Health (Community Health), August 2006, 161 pp., 5 tables, 4 charts, 2 titles. The study was conducted to evaluate existing cancer prevention education materials created by Parkland Health & Hospital System to determine the cultural appropriateness and readability for the growing Spanish-speaking Hispanic population in Dallas County. The evaluation focused exclusively on Spanish materials with cancer prevention messaging related to improved nutrition and increased physical activity. Data was collected through two separate series of focus groups with Hispanics and health professionals. The Fry Graph Method was applied to the materials as an additional readability measurement. Results of the evaluation demonstrated a need for Parkland to engage Hispanics in pre-testing and revision of existing Spanish materials; establish strategic partnerships to assist with understanding literacy needs; and implement educational programs that complement materials.Item Getting Lost in Translation: The Dangers in Literal Translation(2008-04-18) Pena, Itzel; Gwirtz, Patricia A.; Gladue, Brian; Espinoza, AnnaCurrently 16 million Hispanics in the U.S. do not speak any English making the need for Spanish translation apparent. Within the clinical research realm, accurate translation is important for complete comprehension of the informed consent process, as it is the application of the ethical principle of respect for persons (autonomy). This study found that literal translations might not always be the best form of translation. Instead, non-literal translations may offer better comprehension of the consent process. However, the effect of being bilingual and attaining high education levels are significant factors influencing the comprehension of the informed consent document. Additionally these factors may actually facilitate the understanding of the consent form more than the literal and non-literal translation. Lastly, the perception and meaning behind different translations can affect comprehension of consent concepts. Subjects preferred to be called participants showing that the two different translations can hold different meanings.Item Integration of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine into Differential Diagnosis Training: A Study Evaluating Teaching Strategies and Their Influence on Student Learning(2007-05-01) IrvineMoore, LaPonna Rae; Gamber, Russell; Shores, Jay H.; Oglesby, MichaelIrvineMoore, LaPonna R. Integration of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine into Differential Diagnosis Training: A study evaluating teaching strategies and their influence on student learning. Master of Science in Clinical Research and Education, May 2007, 109 pp, 16 tables, 14 figures, bibliography 118 titles. This study compared traditional lecture versus a computer-based cognitive science-based approach in training 2nd year medical students to perform low back pain differential diagnosis with integrated osteopathic diagnoses and findings. Research subjects were tested on diagnostic capabilities and outcomes were compared. Students’ opinion and feedback was assessed through a computer-based questionnaire. Although the two groups performed equally with respect to overall mean and osteopathic diagnoses, the treatment group performed better on difficult questions. Eighty percent of student attitudes were positive toward computer-based learning and its utility in uniquely osteopathic concepts. Cognitive science-based teaching modalities may increase diagnostic competencies and positively affect learning of uniquely osteopathic concepts.Item Is an Enviormental Health Educational Intervention Sufficient to Change Behavior?: Perceptions from an Indigenous Lake Community in Guatemala(2006-12-01) Pezzia, Carla; Terrance Gratton; Sue Lurie; Norman TrieffPezzia, Carla. Is an environmental health educational intervention sufficient to change behavior?: Perceptions from an indigenous lake community in Guatemala. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), December 2006, 46 pp., 6 tables, 1 illustration, references, 18 titles. Traditional environmental health practices focus on education and exposure prevention, but the division between the biophysico-chemical and social environment keeps them from always being sufficient; human ecology seeks to bridge this division. The second leading cause of mortality in Guatemala is gastrointestinal infections, and San Pedro, Guatemala, provides an opportunity to study these infections utilizing a human ecological approach. Morbidity data were collected from the local health center, observations noted systematically, and both residents and tourists were interviewed regarding their perceptions of the community’s environmental health. Results found that residents who had no contact with tourists stated that, for gastrointestinal infections due to refuse in the streets, education alone would not be sufficient to reduce this problem; most felt some type of government intervention would be necessary. It is recommended that public health specialists enjoy a human ecological approach and refer to the community when designing an appropriate intervention.Item Language and Cultural Access Services for Healthcare of Latinos: A Study of Their Experiences in Dallas County(2006-04-04) Prieto, Juan; Coggin, Claudia; Gonzalez, Adela; Cipher, DaishaPrieto, Juan G., Language and Cultural Access Services for Healthcare of Latinos: A Study of Their Experiences in Dallas County. Master of Public Health (Community Health), April 4, 2006, pp 53, tables 5, bibliography, titles 29. The American healthcare system largely serves English-speakers, but 21 million Latinos in this country speak limited English. This cross-sectional study examines language laws and patient experiences in overcoming communication barriers. The study’s responses suggest lack of awareness of language access rights among Latinos and non-compliance with language laws by some public and private healthcare providers. Communication gaps can result in untreated or misdiagnosed illness, injury or death. However, life-threatening disparities experienced by Latinos could be alleviated if patients learned of their language rights through media campaigns. Medical treatment would drastically improve the hiring, training and supporting bilingual healthcare professionals; through the strengthening the enforcement of language services laws; and through the allocating funds for cultural and linguistic services in healthcare.Item Medical Students' Knowledge of and Attitudes About Complementary and Alternative Medicine Before and After an Integrated Clinical Experience Learning Module(2003-05-01) Stupski, Bernard A.; Scott Stoll; Muriel Marshall; Russell GamberStupski, Bernard A., Medical Students’ Knowledge of and Attitudes about Complementary and Alternative Medicine before and after an Integrated Clinical Experience Learning Module, Master of Science, May 2003, 2 pp., 2 tables, bibliography, 13 titles. Background: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is an important health care trend that is drawing increasing attention from medical schools. An educational program, the Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE), was instituted at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine to address CAM for second year medical students. Methods: A thirty-five question survey developed to measure the students’ knowledge of and attitudes about CAM was given at the beginning and end of the ICE week. Results: Students had significantly more knowledge about CAM prevalence following the ICE week. Students perceived greater efficacy and relevance in education for certain CAM modalities and felt more likely to incorporate CAM into their clinical practice and use CAM for self care.Item NorTex Fall 2013 Newsletter(2013-10-01)Item NorTex Fall 2014 Newsletter(2014-10-01)Item NorTex Fall 2015 Newsletter(2015-10-01)Item NorTex Fall 2016 Newsletter(2016-10-01)Item NorTex Fall 2017 Newsletter(2017-10-01)Item NorTex Fall 2018 Newsletter(2018-10-01)Item NorTex Fall 2019 Newsletter(2019-10-01)Item NorTex Fall 2020 Newsletter(2020-10-01)