Student Research Posters

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  Participating in Formal Occupational Therapy Mentorship Programs: Mentees’ Experiences

  Alice Thien Nguyen, Amanda Raigosa, Erin Elizabeth Heckelman, Isabelle Jenkins Abrahams Pisano, and Alyssa Cailin Reyes Manuel

  Background. Formal mentorship is a well researched phenomenon, commonly used in healthcare professions, that offer a range of benefits for both mentors and mentees. Those who engage in formal mentoring programs often find that their evidence-based practice skills and quality of patient care improves. Within early-career stages of the occupational therapy profession, mentoring programs promote professional development and allow for a supported clinical experience. There is limited research on how engaging in formal mentoring programs impacts early-career occupational therapists (OTs) and their transition to practice. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand early-career OTs' unique lived experiences in formal mentoring programs and how their experience influenced their transition to practice. Methods. In this phenomenological study, mentees were interviewed about their experiences in formal mentorship programs. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke (Braun & Clarke, 2018). Results. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: Expectations and Critiques, Pivotal for Early-Career Transition, Practice Expertise, and Emotional Support and Confidence Building. Mentees reported benefits from participating in format mentorship programs which included the development of personal and professional skills, confidence building, and emotional support. Mentees also reported a desire for more structure and consistency within their programs. Conclusion. This study supports current evidence regarding the benefits of formal mentorship programs and the effects on early-career OTs’ transition to practice

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  IUD pain managment

  emily nguyen

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  Reducing Emergency Department Visits Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Teri Nguyen

  In the realm of pediatric healthcare, children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique challenges alongside their caregivers. Caregivers face challenges in accessing appropriate support and resources to effectively address the needs of children with ASD. Children with ASD struggle with sensory sensitivities, impaired safety awareness, and difficulties perceiving potential dangers which put them at greater risk for injuries. As a result, children with autism have higher rates of emergency department visits compared to their neurotypical peers. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led home injury prevention and education in reducing emergency department visits for children with ASD. This research proposal will use a true quantitative experimental design with a convenient sample of 100 children who have been diagnosed ASD and have had an emergency department visit within the previous year. The intervention and control groups' means will be compared using descriptive statistics. The anticipated outcome will be that nurse-led home injury prevention and education during follow-up visits will significantly reduce rates of emergency department visits in children with ASD by enhancing caregiver knowledge, promoting the implementation of tailored safety measures, and fostering a safer home environment.

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  The Barriers to Adult Play in Graduate Students

  Rosalind Nolde, Catherine Salomon, T. Monelli, and Sabrina Solis

  The purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge of barriers to play for graduate students. The research question asked, what are the barriers to play experienced by graduate students? Play is a complex term that is unique to the individual. Although subjective, existing literature gives suggestions as to what play can mean or feel like to the individual participating. Brown (2009), notes that the definition of play should be experienced rather than defined as it is distinctive to each individual. Van Vleet and Feeney (2015) describe play as being the purpose of amusement, fun or to have energetic, spontaneous and highly interactive qualities. The methodology used to answer the research question was a qualitative descriptive approach. This methodology generated a focused summary and understanding of the experiences that shaped participants' views (Stanley & Nayer, 2014). This study was open to any full time graduate students of all genders, ages, and ethnicities. The researchers recruited 9 participants from Dominican University of California Occupational Therapy Program. The sampling method we used was purposive sampling as participants were chosen to have characteristics that met our inclusion criteria. Data was collected through an initial survey, focus groups, self-reported play reflection, and one on one semi-structured interviews. Two major themes were found, the first being Experienced Play with sub themes of play is a spectrum, play context, spontaneity, and feeling of play. The second major theme is Barriers to Play with the sub themes of money, time, responsibilities, energy/mental capacity, societal norms/expectations. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on adult play, addresses a gap in literature from the research surrounding play for graduate students, and emphasizes the significance of play in the context of higher education and the broader spectrum of adult life.

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  Caring for Native American Elders: Developing Cultural Knowledge and Comfort Levels of Senior Nursing Students in Northern California

  Ireland ODonnell

  It is important for healthcare staff to be knowledgeable of their patients’ culture in order to provide the best care possible and meet the needs of the individual patient (Yava et al., 2023). It has been proven that a lack of cultural understanding can lead to decreased patient adherence and negative health outcomes (Brottman et al., 2020).

  There is very little research conducted about student nurses’ knowledge and comfort level when caring for Native American Elders. However, research shows that nurses and nurse educators are not confident when caring for culturally diverse patients, despite their responsibility of teaching the next generation about how to care for patients (Brottman et al., 2020). It is extremely important that nursing students become prepared to care for culturally diverse patients because in their future, they will be caring for a rapidly growing, cross-cultural population.

  The Native American Elder population is frequently overlooked in nursing curricula, making further research on this topic necessary. This research proposal aims to assess nursing students’ level of knowledge and comfort before and after an educational module about Native Americans and the significance of Elders in their culture.

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  Preparing Nurses for Medical-Assistance in Dying: The Role of Comprehensive Education and Training

  Keira O'Reilly

  Medical-assistance in dying (MAID) is a process in which a physician prescribes lethal medications that the consenting patient will self-administer with the intention of ending their life. By April 2024, medical-assistance in dying was legal in 10 states as well as the District of Columbia (“Death with Dignity,” 2024). With an evolving legal landscape around MAID, healthcare professional training on this procedure is often overlooked and inadequate (Winters et al., 2022). This is especially true for ICU nurses who manage critical and often end of life cases. This lack of education leaves nurses underprepared for the legal, ethical, and emotional challenges involved. Nurses play a key role in medical-assistance in dying from facilitating end-of-life conversations to being a patient advocate. Nurses should be knowledgeable about medical-assistance in dying in order to encompass all end-of-life care options for their patients.

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  Understanding ARFID in Autistic Children Through Parent's Lens

  Lisette Oviedo

  This poster presents a proposed study aimed at assessing parents' knowledge about their children with a dual diagnosis of autism and Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) with the intent to develop future care strategies that are both person-centered and family-centered.

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  Optimizing Discharge Education for HF Patients

  Connie-Rose Pangan

  Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot adequately provide blood and oxygen to tissues in the body. Heart failure patients account for the highest 30-day readmission rate in Medical-Surgical conditions (Nair et al., 2020). It is the leading cause of hospitalization in adults over 65 years old in the US. Constant readmission is costly, and therefore additional interventions must be done to prevent it. Due to the severity of heart failure, these patients require a copious amount of information at discharge to understand the pathophysiology of their disease, their medication regimen, and important lifestyle changes needed to prevent readmission. Without a standard of care, the amount of time nurses spend on discharge education and the comprehensiveness of the information provided may vary from provider to provider. In addition, a patient’s comprehension of the material is not always evaluated. Therefore, some patients are discharged without complete confidence about their self care regimen. Without this confidence, heart failure patients are less likely to adhere to their discharge protocol and ultimately have poorer health outcomes. Although previous research has been done on the effectiveness of patient education on the reduction of readmission rates among heart failure patients, there has been little research about the evaluation of education effectiveness and how to monitor discharge protocol adherence. The goal of this study is to consolidate a teaching method that accommodates one's existing educational barriers, implement follow-up to increase knowledge retention and improve self care, and to prevent readmission among heart failure patients.

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  Psychosocial Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients

  Lawrence Panlilio

  Background: Kidney transplantation is the best solution to save lives for those that have end-stage renal disease. However, psychosocial issues play a huge role in their quality of life after the procedure which can affect these individuals negatively. These issues recipients face include depression and anxiety, a lack of social support, and self management difficulties. Objective: This research consists of investigating psychosocial factors that affect kidney transplant recipients’ quality of life. Evidenced by research, focused assistance with ongoing support in patients is essential after receiving surgery and recovery. A literature review was conducted that consists of research on studies with psychosocial factors affecting their life post-transplant. This can lead to better long-term outcomes with post-surgery. Method: The proposed research involved a mixed-methods longitudinal approach, including surveys with interviews to investigate the gaps in the literature review. Existing studies show how ignoring psychosocial factors and how it negatively impacts kidney transplant recipients over a period of time emphasizes the need for continual evaluation to obtain better strategies for recovery and adaptability. Results: The data for this study provided similar themes in qualitative and quantitative data, which highlights the influence on quality of life from social support and mental health needed to improve patient outcomes post-surgery. Conclusion: The study emphasized the influence with social support and mental health in kidney transplant recipients’ quality of life. The necessity for continuous interventions and help in these areas is essential to improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

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  The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Weight and Emotional Stability in Adolescents

  Lauren Parayno

  Adverse childhood experiences (ACES)a r e traumatic events that can occur during an adolescent's life. Af e w example of ACES are: • parental divorce/ separation • having a parent or guardian that isaddicted to a substance. These events cause the adolescent tolive through a state of chronic stress. Furthermore, these experiences put adolescents at a greater risk for obesity and depression. With adequate screening, nurses would be able to identify adolescents going through these troubling times. Interventionssuch aseducation on a healthier lifestyle and providing counseling services, would be beneficial to the age group.

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  Specialized Support for Queer Women with Postpartum Depression

  Dan-Tam Pham

  Queer women face disproportionately high rates of postpartum depression compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals. Studies showed that queer women face heightened mental health challenges, including higher rates of depression and anxiety due to factors like discrimination, limited support systems, and negative healthcare experiences. There is a need for culturally competent, LGBTQ+ affirming interventions to improve maternal mental health outcomes; despite the health disparities faced by this population, research on specialized postpartum interventions is limited, revealing gaps in effective mental health care for queer mothers. The key search terms for the articles used in the study included: postpartum depression, queer women, LGBTQIA+, LGBT, perinatal depression, maternal outcomes of PPD,, therapy, interventions, treatment, and management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of specialized postpartum mental health support in reducing the incidence and severity of PPD among queer women, compared to standard postpartum care. This study utilized Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and a quasi-experimental design with a sample of 200 queer mothers within two years postpartum, divided into intervention and control groups. Outcomes were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at baseline and at six-month intervals over a two-year period. It is anticipated that participants in the intervention group will show a significant reduction in PPD symptoms, reflected in lower EPDS scores, compared to the control group receiving standard care. Additionally, qualitative data will provide insights into participants' experiences with the specialized support model. This study highlights the urgent need for culturally tailored, LGBTQ+-affirming postpartum mental health interventions. Findings are expected to inform healthcare systems and providers, promoting equitable care and improved mental health outcomes for queer mothers.

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  How The Lockdown of Covid-19 Influenced The Neurocognitive and Psychosocial Development of Preschoolers

  Kay Picson

  The COVID-19 pandemic instilled a new normal across the world. Businesses turned to take out services and faced financial struggle. Hospitals enacted a visitor policy, limiting contact with patients, their families, and their friends. Schools closed their classrooms and moved to online learning from home, isolating children from their teachers, peers, and an optimal learning environment.

  The literature review consists of six articles pertaining to the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on preschoolers neurocognitive and psychosocial development. Specifically, the influence of the lockdown on preschooler mental health, executive function, and social skills. According to the research, the results were differential, it was found that pandemic children demonstrated better problem solving and fine motor skills but lower social skills compared to pre-pandemic children. In a previous ASQ-3 study, it was concluded that positive/refer results were higher amongst pandemic children. However, in another study, there was no significant difference between pre and post pandemic scores. Children who transitioned to kindergarten resulted in the poorest EF skills. The COVID-19 lockdown also caused negative mental health issues.

  To help nurture social skills, play is an effective intervention. It is helpful to discuss emotion, practice language skills, and play games that invoke the skill of self-regulation such as freeze-tag or Simon Says.

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  Assessing the Integral Role of School Nurses in Suicide Prevention Among Adolescents

  Isabel Rafanan

  This research discovers aspects of school nursing's role in mental health for young adolescents.

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  Nurse's Knowledge on MIND Diet for Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease

  Audrey Marie Rafols

  Adults with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease (EOAD), is the less common form of the neurodegenerative disease of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), where EOAD is found in adults younger than 65 years old (Alzheimer's Association, 2024). Characterized by a decline of memory, cognitive decline, loss of ability to perform daily tasks involving mobility and communication, EOAD does not have one significant cause. A combination of risk factors are genetics and lifestyle factors such as heart disease, history of stroke, and high blood pressure are associated with increasing the risk of EOAD (National Institute of Aging, 2024).

  Since there is no cure for EOAD, the most effective approach is treatment is symptom management. Dietary management is an aspect of care for EOAD that can aid with cognitive function. The MIND diet, a hybrid diet of Mediterranean and the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet, can slow cognitive decline due to its nature of emphazing foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Liu et al., 2021). This diet focuses on food that is healthy for the brain, such as leafy greens, nuts, fish, berries, and whole grains while avoiding foods like red meat and processed food. While there is evidence that supports the effectiveness of slowing down Alzheimer's Disease with this diet, there is limited research on nurses' knowledge of the MIND diet when caring for patients with EOAD.

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  OT Consultation to Support Participation and Inclusion at a Science Museum

  Ariana Sales, Elizabeth Weintraub, Gabriele Alviz, Nicole Conyers, and Julia Karczewski

  This poster is a culmination of a capstone project that centered around providing OT consultation to support participation and inclusion at the California Academy of Sciences. Specifically, we partnered with two departments- the Planetarium department and Volunteer Services Department.

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  Scabies Prevention in Correctional Facilities: A Path to Safer Inmate Populations

  Bhavandeep Singh

  Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis mite, which burrows into the skin to lay eggs and feces, causing intense itching and a rash. These symptoms can take up to 4-6 weeks for a first time infection and it can occur as early as 1-4 days for a person who previously had scabies (National Park Service, 2023). Scabies is often transmitted through prolonged and direct skin to skin contact with an infected person, through sharing clothing, or due to overcrowded environments. This intense itching and rash can cause poor sleep, social ostracization, and affect employment if not addressed properly. Scabies infestations are frequently complicated by bacterial infection called impetigo as a result of the scratching which may further result in abscesses, sepsis, and other invasive infections such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (WHO, 2024). Prisoners often suffer poor living conditions due to a lack of medical services, proper nutrition, and unsanitary conditions. Prisoners in jails are in constant physical contact with each other and their health can easily be affected if one or more inmates gets a contagious skin disease like scabies, which can spread into the general public when they are released or if staff members carry infections outside.

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  Assessing Lung Cancer Screening Protocols and Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Between Indonesia and the United States

  Priscilla Sitorus

  After losing a loved one to lung cancer, it can be difficult to process, especially when the diagnosis could have been made earlier. However, some may struggle to trust a healthcare system when screening protocols and care vary significantly, to the extent that it may seem unclear. Amongst both men and women, lung cancer is the worldwide leading cause of cancer-related mortality (World Health Organization, 2023), thus further creating a considerable amount of challenges that not only takes part in communities, but the overall healthcare system. Despite the increasing rate of lung cancer, Indonesia has limited screening programs available for the general public showing disparities in the public being able to easily access healthcare service and resources which is exacerbated by the issue. In contrast, the United States has instilled screening protocols in hospitals across the nation in order to catch the disease when it is in its earlier stages. They also have extensive research being conducted in order to further development of comprehensive lung cancer screening programs, treatment, and techniques, such as low-dose computed tomography (also known as LDCT), to help higher-risk populations. By examining the two countries’ similarities and disparities in their approaches in lung cancer screening protocols, this will allow those to further look into and develop global healthcare policy changes towards effective screening strategies and protocols in order to reduce the escalating frequency that lung cancer plays in our global mortality.

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  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression and Suicide Prevention in Asian Women

  Emily J. Tan

  Postpartum Depression (PPD) remains a substantial contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. One in seven women experience PPD, especially among Asian Americans because of the stigma surrounding the discussion of mental health which is often overlooked and misdiagnosed. One significant repercusssion of untreated PPD is the risk for suicidal ideation, which is the second leading contributor of mortality during the postnatal stage (Carlson et al., 2024).

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) consists of relaxation exercises, stress-reduction techniques, pain management strategies and effective problem-solving strategies. CBT takes place in various settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and group therapy (National Library of Medicine, 2022).

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  What is the form, function, and meaning of Adult Play in the U.S.?

  Tillden Tecson, Camille Howell, Michelle Lee, Oscar Rubio, and Nerwel Zhao

  Play is one of life’s most meaningful occupations that facilitates exploration and understanding of the world around us, but what does play look like for adults? Play is described as continuous throughout one’s lifetime (Bundy, 1993), however, current research regarding the occupation of play is predominately discussed in the context of children, not in that of adults. Many research studies have addressed play in relation to other occupations such as leisure, work, or rituals (Blanche, 1998), but no occupational science research has been conducted to exclusively explore play as a distinct occupation for adults. Thus, the dimensions of play and the experience of play are still not understood nor are they defined within current occupational science literature. This qualitative descriptive research study aims to contribute to the current understanding of play as an experiential occupation by analyzing its form, function, and meaning. By adding an occupational lens to this phenomenon, this research can deepen the understanding of the experience of play in adults, expand occupational science literature, and broaden the understanding of play as a meaningful occupation in adults. For the purposes of this study, researchers will conduct two semi-structured interviews consisting of questions around the form, function, and meaning of play. Data was analyzed utilizing reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2019). Codes and themes identified were the structure of play, play is in the doing, anytime, anywhere and anything, emotional experience, and intention and outcomes. Gaining an understanding of adult play as a meaningful occupation will add to foundational occupational science knowledge that play in adults exists.

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  Complementary Therapies for Postpartum Mothers of Multiples

  Jewel Thomas

  There are many systemic changes that happen to the body after giving birth. Special consideration should be given to recovery during the postpartum period. Common physical symptoms during postpartum are breast engorgement and nipple pain, vaginal bleeding, soreness in perineal area, cramping during uterine involution, increased sweating usually at night, constipation, and hair loss (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). A vulnerable population is women experiencing a multiple pregnancy, such as those carrying twins or triplets. These women are more likely to experience gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, anemia and/or postpartum hemorrhage (University of Rochester Medical Center, 2024). Amidst this crucial time, advocating for patient preferences is a priority. There is a growing emergence of women who prefer a more holistic approach to the birthing process. Therefore, it is imperative that nurses are cognizant of natural techniques.

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  Transgender Asian Americans

  Abraham James Tiro

  Understanding how transgender Asian Americans feel and what they experience is crucial, not just for the sake of healthcare, but also societal balance, better legislation, and to aid communities that struggle with acceptance. The goal of this research is to uplift and share the stories of transgender Asian Americans. Doing so can make our society more equitable and free of discrimination and fear of harassment.

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  Detection and Management of Post Intensive Care Syndrome

  Ann Tomy

  Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) is a collection of symptoms that more than half of patients who survive a critical illness experience after discharge.Those symptoms include weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health conditions, and a lack of effective coping strategies. PICS can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, complicating the recovery process and posing challenges for reintegration into daily activities and societal roles. The etiology of PICS is multifactorial, with the severity and duration of the illness, the nature of medical interventions in the ICU, and the pre-existing health condition of the patient all contributing to its development. The stress of an ICU stay, characterized by invasive treatments, sedation, and the disruption of normal sleep patterns, can also exacerbate or trigger symptoms. Early identification of at-risk individuals and targeted interventions are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of PICS and facilitating a smoother transition to normal life following critical illness.

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  Parental Presence Following Pediatric Invasive Procedures and Surgery

  Jaymie Riza Torres and Franchesca Isabelle Andaya Lazaro

  Background: Pediatric patients are severely affected by preoperative anxiety which can lead to postoperative complications and delayed recovery. This could be attributed to their developmental stage which determines their response to stress and fear. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate postoperative recovery outcomes in pediatric patients following the implementation of parental presence at the induction of anesthesia and upon first waking up. Method: This proposed research utilizes a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods through a quasi-experimental study. The target population consists of pediatric patients between the ages of three and eight years old with a convenient sample size of 60 children elected to undergo an invasive procedure or surgery. The study will divide participants into two groups, the control group and the interventional group, which will receive parental involvement at the administration and recovery from anesthesia. Results: The data for this study will be collected pre-and post-operatively, looking at the pain, stress, and anxiety of the participants. A paired t-test will be used to interpret the data and identify the correlation between parental presence and the psychological and physiological outcomes following invasive procedures and surgery. Conclusions: Determining the efficacy and degree of parental involvement during invasive procedures and surgeries for preschool-aged children is crucial in bridging their developmental needs and healthcare to enhance recovery outcomes.

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  Exploring the Impact of Swimming on Asthma Management in Asian Americans

  Trishtine Tran

  Asthma is a respiratory disease that leads to narrowing of the airways in the lungs due to inflammation and mucus. Common symptoms include cough, wheezing, asthma attacks, excess mucus production, and decreased exercise tolerance. Pharmacological treatment methods for asthma include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and allergy medications. Nonpharmaceutical treatments include monitoring of exposure to allergens and breathing exercises, however swimming is not as commonly suggested. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether implementation of a swimming education class will influence the effectiveness of swimming on asthma management in Asian Americans. This study aims to examine quality of life, changes in lung function, and severity of asthma symptoms and exacerbations. A quantitative quasi-experimental design will be used to determine whether a swimming education class for Asian Americans with asthma will result in improved lung function and decreased frequency of asthma exacerbations. The sample size involves 100 participants who will be recruited from pulmonologist offices and asthma clinics that predominantly serve the Asian American population. The class will include information about the benefits of swimming and statistical data about asthma in the Asian American population. There will be a pre-test and post-test utilizing the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), and lung function tests such as forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow levels. A t-test will be used to determine the p-value of the data collected from the pre-test and post-test lung function tests. It is hypothesized that results will show an increase in quality of life, improvements in lung function tests, and decreased severity of asthma related symptoms.