Research is a cornerstone of education at Dominican University of California. Posters in this collection showcase student research presented at conferences.
Browse our research posters by department
Barowsky School of Business | Education | Global Public Health | Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Nursing | Occupational Therapy | Physician Assistant Studies | Psychology
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Lived Experiences of People with Substance Use Disorder as Healthcare Education to Develop Empathy for this Population
Whitney Bynum
Stigmas that develop among healthcare workers regarding patients with substance use disorder include: "drug-seeking", "violent", and "unmotivated". These beliefs can decrease the quality of care provided and results in less people seeking out needed treatment. Healthy People's 2030 goals include reducing drug and alcohol addiction. In order to do this, healthcare workers need to show empathy and form trusting relationships with this patient population. Building a trusting relationship allows the patient to be more receptive to help and suggestions. Learning the life story of a patient can help healthcare workers develop empathy and reduce negative attitudes.
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Family-Based Interventions Impact on Pediatric Obesity
Renee Camins
Background: Obesity rates among children in the United States have been on the rise, with 19.7% of children aged 2-19 classified as obese (CDC, 2022). Low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for pediatric obesity,Children from low-income households are more likely to be overweight or obese than their peers from higher economic backgrounds. Obesity can lead to serious and chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and breathing difficulties, and is also a risk factor for leading causes of death in adults including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (CDC, 2022). Educational interventions and access to exercise resources may offer promising solutions for addressing pediatric obesity and improving health outcomes. Objective: The object of the proposal is to conduct research on obesity trends and educational interventions to combat obesity. The research proposal will then investigate the effectiveness of a specific evidence-based educational intervention and resources provided to families in reducing obesity rates. The proposal intends to determine whether these interventions and resources can contribute to a decline in obesity rates. Method: The proposal will consist of a quasi experimental design. The convenience sample will consist of low-income families with children 4-11 years of age that have a BMI greater than 30. Sample size will include 150 children recruited through pediatric doctors offices in Marin County. The participants will be given a pre test questionnaire, and a post test after the intervention.
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The Role That Diet and Lifestyle Factor Plays in an Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in Asians and Pacific Islanders
Ethan Caragan
Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of mortality, often resulting in heart attacks and strokes due to obstructed blood flow to vital organs. The risk of these events is influenced by dietary choices, smoking, and physical activity. Despite preventative measures, the impact of diet and lifestyle on cardiovascular health varies across ethnic groups. This thesis aims to evaluate how variations in dietary traditions and lifestyle among Asians and Pacific Islanders contribute to increased or decreased cardiovascular disease risks compared to other racial groups. The study focuses on the dietary and lifestyle factors of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California, involving 5,000 individuals aged 28-50. Participants undergo a baseline assessment, complete initial food frequency and lifestyle surveys, and are observed over five years with follow-up questionnaires. Statistical and subgroup analyses will be employed to explore the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and cardiovascular disease risk. By examining habits, cultural influences, and genetic predispositions, the research seeks to identify factors contributing to cardiovascular disease incidence rates among these populations. The findings of the thesis aims to create interventions, promoting alternative dietary habits and lifestyle modifications to decrease cardiovascular disease rates among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
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Babies Behind Bars: Separation and Segregation of Incarcerated Mothers from their Children
Cielita Castro Capistrano
Over the past years, the imprisonment rate for women in the United States has been substantially increasing, resulting in continuous higher incarceration rates of women in prison. The United States “has the highest incarceration rate of women in the world, with over 205,000 women currently behind bars in either state and federal prisons or jails and another million on probation or parole” (Clarke et. al., 2013). Furthermore, the prisons and jails here in America are primarily focusing on the incarcerated male population leading to these institutions not prioritizing the proper health and safety protocols for these incarcerated women, who are mostly mothers. Incarcerated mothers are a vulnerable group of people in this society that often comes with a long history and experience of mental health problems, unemployment, poverty, sexual, emotional, physical, and mental abuse. This paper is conducted using a systematic search of different electronic databases and search engines that provided enough information to answer the research question for this literature review.
The purpose of this thesis is to explore and inform people regarding how important resources are for the future of the entire community as a whole. The gathered information in this thesis will be utilized to compose a proposal on how the entire society as a whole can work together with focusing on helping these people in achieving a second chance to have a better life. Focusing on these vulnerable populations will lessen the gaps that the society have been trying to fill that they cannot successfully fulfill since they need to start focusing on the cause of the problem, rather than interventions after a problem has already been created. The study design that this study will conduct will be a qualitative survey study that will be conducted using an existing thematic analysis to see if there will be a major impact on giving incarcerated mothers prolonged time with their newborn baby during their sentence.
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Medical Cannabis in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Pain and Diseases
Marissa Colombo
Pediatric chronic pain has seen a disturbing rise which ends up affecting the child’s routine and impacting their family’s lives. Medical cannabis has Food and Drug Administration-approved derivatives, yet the studies that focus on medical cannabis do not discuss targeting pain in pediatric patients. Children who experience chronic diseases and treatment-resistant pain are not normally offered medical cannabis as a treatment option which needs to change. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of medical cannabis within the pediatric population. If children experience pain that is similar to adults, withholding techniques that can help alleviate their pain should be avoided. The study will assess how pediatric patients adapt to medical cannabis. The proposed research design is a quantitative, test-retest study focused on pediatric patients who are 3-12 years old and have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, treatment-resistant pain, or both. There will be a collaboration with Bay Area pediatric outpatient offices. The study will use the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and Likert Scale. There are many ethical considerations surrounding this study since pediatric patients are a vulnerable population due to their varying mental capacities. Post-treatment, patients and parents will re-evaluate pain and daily living. Statistical analysis will help identify areas for further research regarding different demographics. The results are anticipated to provide valuable contributions to pediatric pain management.
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Early Diagnosis of Celiac Disease in Pediatric Patients
Nicole Gertsberg
Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population; however, the indistinct symptoms make it difficult to diagnose. Children are vulnerable populations who are able to experience this disease, but go severely undiagnosed. As a result, when this population matures, additional health issues arise such as other autoimmune diseases. Different studies were done regarding diet modifications, gaps in research, and treatment options for Celiac disease. This is the reason to investigate whether early diagnosis in childhood will achieve better health outcomes through diet modifications. A cohort study will be performed on Celiac disease patients, ages 5 to 15 years old at outpatient clinics at UCSF. This study will compare two groups: diet modifications starting at 5 years old to diagnose Celiac disease and diet modifications at 15 years old to diagnose Celiac disease. The groups will be examined for health outcomes related to Celiac disease 10 years from the start of the study to see if earlier diagnosis made a significant difference. The data will be collected through patient reports of symptoms and medical office visits. The results, 10 years from now, should show no extra health issues. In conclusion, the clinical implications of this study should show that early diagnosis in pediatric patients correlates with the decreased number of medical problems as they grow up. Due to this research, more extensive medical doctor visits can determine Celiac disease much earlier as a prevention method to Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
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The Effects of Loud NICU Environments on Premature Infants and Interventions to Help Minimize Noise
Elsy Gramajo
Noise in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) often exceeds recommended safe noise levels and has been found to have negative effects on premature infants and their health. Some of these effects can be changes in their heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep patterns. In addition, negative effects, such as hearing loss, can cause permanent damage that impact children's long-term development. A preterm infant is an infant born before 37 weeks’ gestation. Being born prematurely comes with its own problems and many risks. Attempting to survive in an environment that causes more stress is not healing. Understanding the effects of noise on preterm infants’ physiological state and examining interventions to minimize NICU noise is essential. A review of the research literature was performed. Six primary studies exploring the effects of NICU noise on premature infants and interventions were found. The studies were divided into two categories: "Effects of noise exposure" and "Interventions." The studies highlight the effects seen in preterm infants when exposed to noise and show unique interventions that can help minimize these effects. Some interventions that have been found to help minimize noise include implementing quiet times on the units and the use of earmuffs over preterm infants' ears. Sound levels weren’t measured in the studies that implemented quiet times, so further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. A quasi-experimental study is proposed, framed by Florence Nightingale's theory that a healthy environment is needed for patients' healing. With parents' consent, eligible NICU infants will be divided into an experimental group, receiving daily quiet time, and a control group, receiving care in the usual environment. The independent variable is sound level, and the outcome variable is infants' vital signs. This investigation may help nurses understand the effect of noise on premature infants' physiological status.
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The Rising Rates of Pediatric Health Conditions due to Lack of Nutrition Education
Amanda Healy
Statistics show that there is an increase in childhood health conditions related to nutrition. Throughout the United States, the rates of childhood obesity have drastically increased along with the rates of type two diabetes. There is correlation between these two chronic problems in pediatric patients, but not all pediatrics diagnosed with DM2 are obese. Furthermore, there is a correlation between this increase of obesity/DM2 and the lack of nutrition education in schools. The public school system in the United States does not have the funding to provide adequate nutrition education to the children which is leading to substantial health consequences. The goal of this paper is to show the correlation between the lack of nutrition education and the increase of obesity/DM2. The study focuses on the pediatric population in the public school system. The administration of surveys before and after proper nutrition education is typically used. The study used a control group of students who have not been given nutrition education, and the survey compared to those who have received education.
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A Pulse for Progress – Examining the Efficacy of Best Nursing Developmental Care Practices for Children with Congenital Heart Disease at Risk for Developmental Delay in the PCICU: A Prospective Quasi-Experimental Cohort Study
Jasmyn H. Jansen
This paper examines the efficacy current best developmental care nursing practices in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) for children with congenital heart disease (CHD). The proposed study explores the implications of the Cardiac Inpatient Neurodevelopmental Care Optimization (CINCO) program, a recent comprehensive developmental care bundle, as a universal implementation for PCICUs.
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Cervical Cancer Prevention in the Philippines
Kate Isabel Juanillo
Although cervical cancer is preventable, it continues to pose a significant health concern in the Philippines as evidenced by high cervical cancer diagnosis rates. The purpose of this quantitative study is to investigate low cervical cancer screening rates and the effectiveness of educational interventions in increasing awareness and screening rates. A literature review will examine topics such as low cervical cancer screening rates, cervical cancer screening methods, and barriers. This research proposal involves a quasi-experimental study that investigates education as an intervention for increasing cervical cancer awareness and cervical cancer screening rates. Fifty Filipino women will be randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. Inferential and descriptive statistics will be used to evaluate the outcomes of the study.
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Polypharmacy: Increasing Medication Adherence
James C. Kelly
Polypharmacy is a common problem among older adults where they take multiple medications concurrently, leading to negative health outcomes such as adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, and non-adherence to medications. To address this issue, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is proposed that will involve elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) who are taking five or more medications. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group, with the intervention group receiving nurse-led medication therapy management (MTM) and patient education to improve medication adherence. The Health Belief Model can be used to educate and empower older adults on the risks associated with polypharmacy and help them make informed decisions about their medication regimen. The proposed RCT has the potential to improve medication adherence and reduce negative health outcomes associated with polypharmacy, ultimately improving the overall health and well-being of the older adult population.
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The Feminine vs Masculine Nurse: The Effects of Gender Stereotypes in Nursing
Makrisel Lapitan
Nursing has been a predominantly female profession since the introduction of modern nursing by Florence Nightingale in 1860. While men are slowly beginning to enter the field, many stereotypes still surround the role of a nurse. For women, this may include qualities such as caring, and being empathetic and motherly. Conversely, there are assumptions that men are unable to bestow those same qualities and are therefore unworthy of working within the occupation.
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The Effects of Hospital-Mandated Nurse to Patient Ratios on Patient Care
Vince Latorre
Background Nurse to patient ratios or nurse staffing is a controversial topic that is often discussed and argued in the medical field for its pros and cons. Nonetheless, the nurse to patient ratio plays a vital role on how nurses’ deliver quality care and provide safety to patients in a hospital setting. In 1999, California’s legislation passed a mandated nurse to patient ratio (AB 394) that requires all hospitals in California to have a set amount of patients a nurse can have depending on the unit the nurse works for. In 2023, California is still the only state that has passed legislation on nurse to patient ratio. Objective The primary objective of this study is to examine the correlation between nurse-to-patient ratios and patient care in a hospital setting. This thesis will evaluate whether lower nurse-to-patient ratios improves quality and safety patient care or decrease patient mortality. Also, this study will compare California’s mandated nurse to patient ratio with other states that do not have an implemented nurse to patient ratio. Method (convenience sample)
This observational research study will consist of 30 med surg patients at Kaiser Terra Linda in Marin City. The med surg patients will be observed over a 30 day time period from the admission date. Patient mortality rates, negative safety factors (falls, HAI’s, pressure ulcers due to lack of positioning), and quality of care will all be measured and collected by reviewing the patient’s chart. The statistics collected from the observation will then be compared with previous statistics at Kaiser Terra Linda and other hospitals in California. Results
The results have not yet been collected for the study, but it is expected that overall quality care will be improved and that patient mortality rates will be decreased due to the nurse to patient ratio. Conclusion The literature review discussed later in this paper concluded that the nurse to patient ratio correlates with improved quality care and decreased mortality rates. The study presented in this thesis will hopefully enhance the primary purpose that nurse to patient ratios have.
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The Effects of Exercise on the Body’s Tolerance to Breast Cancer Treatments
Lindsay C. Lim
Background: Breast cancer is known as one of the most common types of cancer. Treatments for this cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. These treatments, however, can cause negative side effects such as extra pain and fatigue. Exercise is a common intervention that is used in order to keep the body strong while these treatments are occurring.
Objective: The objective of this thesis is to find a correlation between exercise and how it can decrease negative side effects in patients with breast cancer. This thesis includes a literature review which talks about what types of exercise are best, if a structured program is better, and if there is a positive correlation with a decrease in fatigue.
Methods: This study will be a longitudinal mixed method design utilizing surveys and observations. 90 participants who are either going through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery will be taken from an oncology infusion center and an operating room. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups, group A who will be going through treatment normally and group B who will be participating in a 6 month weekly exercise program. The participants will then be asked to answer the brief pain inventory to assess their pain and the revised piper fatigue scale to assess their fatigue. Participants will complete the survey again in 6 months to evaluate the continued outcome of the exercise.
Results: Results have not yet been collected but exercise is expected to help decrease symptoms of pain and fatigue in breast cancer patients. Group B will state that they are experiencing less symptoms and more relief.
Conclusion: The literature and previous studies have shown that exercise does help to decrease negative symptoms. This project is hoping to prove that exercise will help to relieve symptoms of fatigue and pain in breast cancer patients.
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Effects of Nurse-Patient Relationship on Medication Adherence of Mental Health Patients
April Monica Magbual
Medication adherence among mentally ill patients (MIP) is a significant issue in healthcare which require extra support & guidance to encourage better recovery. Administering medication is a critical role of nurses that must be performed effectively and appropriately. Employing a nurse-patient relationship (NPR) and nursing presence has been shown to create a positive outcome and an essential characteristic to improve medication adherence. However, there is insufficient research exploring NPR and medication adherence specifically for MIPs. Participants’ cultural variations, age range, specific interventions & economic factors influencing medication compliance are missing.
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Unlocking VR Magic: Duration of Anxiety Relief for Pediatric Needle Procedures
Anna Angelica Mendoza
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Healthcare Access Among Low-Income Latinx Communities: A Culturally Sensitive and Intersectional Approach
Gabriela Meza
Various factors, including immigration status, language barriers, age, and socioeconomic status, influence healthcare service utilization among the Latinx population. This study seeks to assess whether culturally sensitive care addressing intersectional factors enhances health access and outcomes in low-income Latinx communities (Purpose). The research proposes a longitudinal quasi-experimental study involving 400 Latinx participants aged 18 and above in low-income urban Los Angeles neighborhoods. A control group of 200 participants and an intervention group of 200 will be established, with the latter receiving culturally sensitive interventions when seeking care during the study. A pre-study survey will collect demographic information, health history, healthcare utilization, patient satisfaction, barriers, challenges, and open-ended comments. After the survey, participants will continue their usual activities, possibly receiving care. After 12 months, a post-study survey will be conducted, covering pre-study elements and adding health outcomes, feedback, and overall satisfaction (Method). The study anticipates finding that intersectional factors, such as immigration status, impact healthcare utilization irrespective of health insurance status. The chi-squared test is expected to exceed the critical value, indicating a significant difference between control and intervention groups. Overall, the study anticipates demonstrating that culturally sensitive healthcare focusing on intersectional factors leads to better health outcomes and improved access (Results). This research underscores the imperative for healthcare equity in Latinx communities, emphasizing that culturally sensitive healthcare enhances health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and access—a fundamental human right (Conclusion).
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The Effects of Breastfeeding Education on Working Moms of Low Socioeconomic Status
Grace Ngo and Suzanne Manseau
Breastfeeding plays an important role in promoting immunity due to the high concentration of antibodies (Tangsuksan et al., 2020). Immunity is important for the infant the first year of their lives. Women of low socioeconomic status (LSES) are less likely to breastfeed due to a lack of resources (Kebede & Seifu, 2021). In addition LSES women living in Marin often lack the proper resources and education for breastfeeding (Heck et al., 2006). The purpose of this thesis proposal is to investigate if educating pregnant women of low socioeconomic status will increase breastfeeding rates.
