Student Research Posters

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  Occupational Therapy Students’ Perspectives on Co-Curricular Resilience Programming

  Dan Kavin Agbayani, Stephen Beck, Nicole Colombo, Danielle Tirpack, and Mikayla Hilario

  Occupational Therapy (OT) students and healthcare workers face significant stress due to academic and professional demands. This stress, if prolonged, can lead to burnout and exhaustion. Resilience, the ability to adapt to challenging experiences, can mitigate the effects of stress and burnout. Resilience has been linked to mindfulness, self-compassion, social support/ connection, and physical activity. While resilience programs have shown positive effects for college students and healthcare providers, there is limited research on resilience programming tailored for OT students. This study aimed to fill this research gap by assessing OT students’ utilization of and satisfaction with a co-curricular resilience program offered by the OT department at Dominican University of California. This study also sought to assess the perceived impacts of this resilience program. To meet these objectives, this research project employed a 57-item survey developed using Qualtrics. Results showed that an Instagram page was the most utilized resilience resource and that participants were most satisfied with group hiking events. Group meditation sessions had the greatest impact on participants’ ability to focus on the present moment, while group hiking events had the greatest impact on participants’ sense of belonging, ability to cope with stress, and ability to extend kindness to themselves. This study’s results demonstrate the value of the co-curricular resilience program offered through the Dominican OT department. These results may inform future resilience programming at Dominican or the formation of new resilience programs at other higher education settings.

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  Breaking the Mold: Exploring the Influence of Gender Roles on Men's Choice of Nursing Specialties and Its Implications for Patient Care

  Cid Rowel Agustin

  Gender roles and stereotypes continue to shape societal perceptions and expectations within the nursing profession. While strides have been made towards gender equality, male nurses remain underrepresented in certain nursing specialties. Understanding the influence of gender roles and stereotypes on male nurses' specialty selection is essential for promoting diversity and enhancing patient care outcomes. This study aims to explore how perceptions of gender roles and stereotypes impact the career decisions of male nurses and the subsequent implications for future patient care. By examining this complex interplay, we seek to uncover insights that can inform strategies for fostering inclusivity and improving healthcare delivery within the nursing profession.

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  Developmental Effects of Child Abuse: The Relevance of Timing

  Laura Luz Alvarez Pineda and Karla Susana Saldaña

  Background: Early physical, sexual, and emotional child abuse has been associated with long-life cognitive, emotional, and physical health repercussions. Purpose: The current paper, in addition to a literature review, proposes a research design to examine the emotional outcomes of physical, emotional, and sexual child abuse on Hispanics when a psychosocial therapy program is implemented. Methods: Participants will be recruited from children’s hospitals, daycares, and preschools around the Bay Area. Parental-informed consent will be obtained prior to participation. This longitudinal quantitative quasi-experimental study will be comprised of three phases to measure posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Results: Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) procedure, descriptive statistics, and a t-test will be used to interpret the data and identify a correlation between participation in psychosocial therapy and the improvement of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression symptoms, and suicidal ideation in young Hispanic adults who have been victims of child abuse. Conclusion: Determining emotional outcomes of the implementation of a psychosocial therapy program on children with a history of child abuse into young adulthood is related to nursing as nurses are often the first to recognize and initiate treatment for this vulnerable population. This proposal will help healthcare professionals understand the importance of treatment in the development and mental health of child maltreatment victims.

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  Nurse Suicide: Examining Depression and Anxiety in Critical Care Settings

  Arianna Bernardine Barata

  Nurses play a critical role in healthcare, yet the demanding work environment often exposes them to stressors, leading to the development of depression and anxiety. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) (2021), 50.8% of nurses have stress, 74% have anxiety, 70.8% have depression, and 79.1% have at least one of them. Burnout, understaffing, COVID fatigue, alarm fatigue, patient ratios, and disrupted sleep patterns are some of the stressors nurses contend with in every shift. While some nurses may cope and overcome these challenges, many face more severe issues, such as suicide. Nurse suicide is an issue that has begun to grow exponentially across the United States. Howard (2023) reported an annual suicide rate of 14 per 100,000 nurses. Compared with other U.S. workers, nurses are at higher risk for suicidal ideation, and nurses with such ideation are more reluctant to seek help than those without it (Elizabeth et al., 2021). In this paper, critical nurses are defined as nurses who work in intensive care and oncology units. There is limited research on the efficacy of resources used to decrease anxiety and depression in the workplace. Some interventions can be implemented to decrease the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the critical care nurse setting. The purpose of this Research proposal is to identify the factors causing depression and anxiety in nurses working in the Intensive Care Unit versus the oncology department and determine if meditation and visualization are effective in decreasing the rates of depression and anxiety. How does the practice of meditation reduce the incidence of depression and anxiety in nurses, specifically analyzing ICU and Oncology nurses? The hypothesis is that meditation and visualization will decrease the amount of depression and anxiety in ICU and oncology nurses.

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  Male Caregiver Strain: The Mental Effects of Being an Informal Caregiver for a Family Member with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

  Alessandra M. Barillas and Elijah Rammel B. Borja

  Background: Caregivers are vital in fulfilling patients' primary care needs, and families prefer them over sending their loved ones to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are prevalent conditions necessitating continuous assistance due to memory and cognition impairments. As a result, support is essential for tasks like mobility, feeding, bathing, and perineal care, as well as emotional and physical challenges inherent in caregiving. Purpose: Upon diving into the mental health impacts of serving as an informal caregiver for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, a notable research gap becomes evident, especially concerning male caregivers. This lack of information may stem from a potential reluctance among male caregivers to openly share their experiences and emotions due to fears of societal judgment. Additionally, they might avoid seeking support, feeling obligated by a sense of duty and loyalty to care for their loved ones unconditionally. This thesis proposal intends to shed light on the physical and mental well-being of male caregivers in their roles as informal caregivers for individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. The thesis will examine differences in caregiving responsibilities, the impact on health, experiences of burnout and strain, and the coping strategies used by male caregivers compared to their female counterparts. Method: The assessment will comprise 10 multiple-choice questions and three written response questions focusing on caregivers' responsibilities and the perceived impact of these duties on their lives. Results: Data collection for this qualitative study is pending; however, the survey anticipates illuminating the experiences of the male caregivers interviewed.

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  Pediatric Hemorrhagic Stroke: Family Perspectives

  Louis Barnett, Sabrina Montano, Deana Vander Meulen, Charissa Thompson, and Alma Martinez Pamatz

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  Unleashing Wellness: Exploring the Impact of Pet Therapy on Anxiety Reduction, Quality of Life, and Treatment Adherence in Pediatric Oncology Patients

  Karina Brouwer

  Pet therapy is a complementary type of therapeutics in which a person and animal have a guided interaction with the purpose of helping someone cope with physical and/or mental illness. Animal-assisted therapy is used in numerous settings and has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and decrease anxiety and depression (Husson University, 2022). In particular, pediatric oncology patients have enormous amounts of stress in their lives, which leads to increased anxiety and decreased quality of life (Children's Cancer Cause, 2023). While evidence shows that integrating pet therapy in pediatric oncology patients produces significant benefits on anxiety levels and perception of quality of life, there is a lack of substantial research regarding how these benefits lead to increased treatment adherence. It is pivotal for nurses and other healthcare professionals to understand the impact of pet therapy on pediatric oncology patients in order to implement a holistic approach to treatment that aims to address both the physical and psychological needs of the patient.

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  Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach to Screening for Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children

  Ashley Bunting and Isabella Cavlan

  California schools currently only screen for vision and hearing, leaving many other health concerns unaddressed. Among these, gastrointestinal (GI) health is particularly significant, as digestive disorders can lead to severe consequences, like malnutrition and stunted growth. By incorporating routine GI screenings, school nurses can promote the early detection of disease, allowing for timely intervention and improved health outcomes in children.
  
  Based on existing literature, we have developed a novel pediatric GI screening tool for school nurses to use in routine screenings, presented below.

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  Incorporation of Nutrition Education with Medication Inject to sustain Weight Loss

  Julia Calvelo

  Nationwide prevalence of obesity is related to comorbidities including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. The United States spends nearly $173 billion annually for the medical cost of obesity, and obese adults have a difference of $1,861 of medical costs than those with healthy weight (CDC, 2022). Overweight individuals experience chronic health issues, resuling in a significant financial burden due to increased costs associated with medical treatment. Ozempic is a newly approved drug accepted by the FDA in 2017 to treat diabetes but is now gradually being implemented as a weight loss medication. It is used in conjunction with exercise and diet in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycemic control; however, continuous nutrition treatment is necessary in order to prevent rebound weight gain. Obesity is a significant public health challenge in the United States resulting from lack of access to education and networks to health and nutrition. Ethnicity and a community’s socio-economic factors play a role in proper access to education of healthy management of weight loss. Further problems arise when young adults discontinue weight loss medication without the proper support of nutrition education and an exercise regime. In order to sustain clinical weight loss and decrease the susceptibility of comorbid risks, lifestyle interventions are advised (Amaro, 2022). There is limited research on interventions to help with preventing weight gain after discontinuing medication.

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  Effects of California’s Mandated Staffing Ratios

  Connie Cheng

  California passed Mandated Staffing Ratio legislation (A.B. 394) in 2002 to regulate nurse-to-patient ratios in acute care hospitals to address nursing burnout, adverse patient outcomes, and errors. Ratios were determined by the California Health Department.

  The study aims to understand if California's Mandated Staffing Ratio legislation effectively reduced nursing satisfaction, medication errors, and hospital-acquired infections since its implementation in 2004 by focusing on Medical-Surgical units (Med-Surg).

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  The Effects of Music Therapy on Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Defects in the Pre and Postoperative Setting

  Janelle Marie Choy

  Congenital heart defects is a prominent medical occurrence especially in pediatrics. These defects often require surgeries and extensive treatment plans. These treatment plans often include invasive surgeries and extensive treatment plans which can require long recovery times along with potential surgical complications. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy on pediatric patients with congenital heart defects in the pre and postoperative setting and how music therapy can be implemented in treatment plans to yield effective recovery results for these patients. This research is significant as elevated vital signs and preoperative anxiety are associated with an increased need for anesthesia and analgesia requirements which can correlate to a risk for surgical complications. Elevated postoperative pain can result in an increased need for analgesic medications which can contribute to medication toxicity in a pediatric patient which can cause further complications. This study would consist of 80 pediatric patients on a cardiac unit aged 1 day to 10 years old diagnosed with a congenital heart defect who is undergoing cardiac surgery. A quasi-experimental randomized control trial will be conducted to compare the results of these cardiac patients in both preoperative and postoperative procedures. In these settings nurses would be responsible for gathering pre and postoperative vital signs, assessing preoperative anxiety, and assessing postoperative pain levels. With this study it is expected that patients who received music therapy during both pre and post operative procedures experienced a stabilization of vital signs, reduced preoperative anxiety, and lower postoperative pain levels.

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  Racial and Geographic Disparities in the Management and Care of Sepsis

  Luke Dommaschk Burwell

  Sepsis, a severe condition triggered by the body's response to infection, requires prompt treatment to prevent tissue damage and organ failure. The SEP-1 Sepsis bundle, developed by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to standardize care, particularly in rural hospitals with limited resources. However, disparities in bundle adherence and mortality rates persist, with rural areas facing more significant challenges. Studies show racial differences in care quality, emphasizing the need for interventions to address systemic biases. While sepsis bundle adherence and simulation training are strong indicators of care improvement, the literature review underscores the need for targeted interventions in rural settings and addresses racial inequities in protocol activation. This research proposal utilizes a quantitative quasi-experimental design to examine the impact of nurse-led training programs on sepsis recognition and treatment initiation. Data collection relies on Medicare and Medicaid Quality service measures, emphasizing the time from first contact to sepsis alert activation and treatment. Pre-intervention data collection will establish baselines, while the educational program aims to enhance nurses' sepsis management skills. Post-intervention data evaluation will assess changes in mortality rates, alert activation times, and treatment adherence. Using descriptive statistics and t-testing, analysis of post-intervention data will determine significant differences between pre-and post-intervention measures; a p-value < 0.05 will indicate rejection of the null hypothesis.

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  Preventive Strategies for Elder Abuse within Hospice Care by Healthcare Professionals

  Joshua Eason

  Background: Healthcare professionals providing hospice care need to have particular specialized abilities, empathy, and trust. Unfortunately, some of these medical professionals are unable to provide their patients the care they need, so they will instead abuse and ignore them. Elder abuse must be identified and addressed in hospice care settings if older patients are to have their rights and dignity upheld and a standardized, compassionate end-of-life care program is to be provided for each patient.

  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness and preventative strategies for elder abuse, implemented by healthcare providers within the hospice care settings by examining and stating preventative measures.

  Method: We used a qualitative approach utilizing structured interviews toward healthcare professionals and patients by asking a series of questions regarding hospice care experience, witnessing abuse, and abuse training/education.

  Results: We found that a majority of healthcare professionals attended a mandatory abuse training program, yet it wasn’t as useful due to it being vague and not resembling real life scenarios. Patients state they have no personally experienced abuse, but know of their peers that have. During the interviews, family members have stated nurses did not educate them about the warning signs of abuse.

  Conclusion: Healthcare institutions may strive toward creating settings of safety, compassion, and respect for senior patients receiving hospice care by putting into place evidence-based treatments and rules. By working together and putting patient welfare first, we can reduce the number of elder abuse cases and make sure that everyone receiving hospice care has a dignified death experience.

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  Life after Brain Injury: Family Perspectives

  Brenda Yamileth Escobar, Arianna Masuko Inouye, Caroline Nicole Mendoza, and Edith Elaine Leslie

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  Optimizing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention and Education: In Adult ICU Settings

  Danielle Gonzalez

  Abstract

  Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in adult intensive care patient units (ICU) is one of the most common and deadly nosocomial infections today. Studies have identified a gap in intensive care nurse ventilator education and compliance with hospital protocols. Overall increasing the rates of VAP and morbidity. Hospitals worldwide have shown a decrease in VAP rates after inheriting "VAP-bundles''. This includes nurse specific interventions and assessments as a preventative measure. However, studies failed to demonstrate which bundle interventions directly correspond to the prevention of VAP. Purpose: Address all components of education, a nurse’s ability to properly identify and understand the pathology of VAP, protocol compliance, to reducing VAP rates and identifying weak points in current hospital practices. Method: An observational longitudinal intervention study will be conducted in an adult ICU setting. The initial phase utilizes an uncontrolled group, setting a baseline. Followed by the subsequent phase, where participants become a controlled group, after the introduction of ventilator bundles. The data will be collected using, in person observation of nurse adherence and skill competency, along with providing educational classes on a bi-weekly basis. Concluding with a monthly questionnaire, that compares and reevaluates nurses' knowledge of preventative measures and treatment for VAP patients. Results: Preliminary findings suggest when conducting a continuous education program and implementing a “Ventilator Bundle” approach, VAP rates drastically drop. Conclusion: Each bundle included five main interventions (elevation of HOB 35°-45°, daily “sedation vacation & assessment of readiness to extubate, PUD prophylaxis DVT prophylaxis, and daily oral care with chlorhexidine). All interventions are pulled from the IHI bundle, indicating potential for making this the gold standard protocol. Overall proper adherence by all team members and ventilator education should be required by all ICUs.

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  Telehealth: A Rising Intervention for Latina Mothers Experiencing Prenatal and Postpartum Depression

  Britney Gutierrez

  Abstract: Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is high among Latina women but often goes unrecognized and untreated. Recognition and management of PPD in this population is crucial as PPD contributes to negative health effects on the mother and infant. Purpose: This research aims to look into telehealth to improve screening methods and treatment for Latina mothers through a Spanish mobile health application that will provide screening and education on PPD. Method: This mixed-method quality improvement study will include 300 participants from an OB-GYN and Pediatrics community clinic, > 18 years old, of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, Spanish speaking, currently pregnant, or had a child within the last year, with a score >12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), have no current treatment for PPD and have access to a mobile application. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups receiving the standard protocol for PPD but one group will receive the mobile app. Pre and post-tests will be used to measure scores of PPD using the EPDS in which independent t-test analyses will be conducted to reveal significant differences between the groups. Descriptive statistics will be used to measure the rates of screening between the groups and a coding scheme will be completed for the qualitative research obtained on mother’s experiences. Results: It is hypothesized that Latina mothers who participate in the mobile application intervention will have higher percentages of screening and lower scores on the EPDS post-test. A p-value less than 0.05 will reveal significant differences between the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: This research will show the significant impact of using telehealth, a mobile health application in Spanish, for screening and treating Latina mothers with PPD.

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  The Impact of Spanish Classes for Labor and Delivery Nurses on Postpartum Depression Incidence among Hispanic Women

  Leilani Gutierrez

  Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of clinical depression that affects individuals after childbirth and is characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, and other symptoms that impact daily functioning. After childbirth, postpartum depression and anxiety are experienced by 70-80% of new mothers (South Dakota Department of Health). The likelihood being twice as high for Hispanic women compared to caucasian women. Postpartum depression impacts 30-43% of Hispanic mothers who have recently given birth. Research indicates that poor childbirth experiences can lead to postpartum depression (Lara-Cinisomo et al,. 2023). The connection between language obstacles in the maternal care of Hispanic women and postpartum depression is attributed to the dissatisfaction resulting from their delivery experience. Insufficient studies have been performed on the impact of language limitations on maternal health and their capacity to affect a mother's mental health following childbirth.

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  Assessing Disparities in Culturally Competent Care in Ethnic Burn Patients

  Min Kang

  One of the most debilitating injuries one can suffer is a burn. It is even worse when certain individuals can not access the high quality care such as immigrants. With immigration rates increasing over the last several decades, these populations often lack the proper medical care that they deserve. The overarching theme in this population is that they face challenges in attaining positive patient outcomes due to cultural differences.

  • Lack of Culturally Competent Care in Burn Care
  • Addressing Cultural Safety and Quality of Care in Burn Injury Management
  • Analyzing Disparities in Access to Culturally Competent Burn care

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  Addressing the Occupational Needs of College Students

  Amanda Lam, Ashley Keates, Marissa Heirich, and Noreen Pervaiz

  The Dominican Occupational Therapy (OT) Coaching project was led by a team of five master's level OT students in collaboration with the Integrative Coaching (IC) team at Dominican University of California. Aligned with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 4th edition (2020), the project supported various aspects of student wellness, such as academics, healthy lifestyles, stress management, sleep hygiene, and time management. In the fall of 2022, the team conducted a comprehensive literature review and needs assessment of Dominican's Student Success Center (SSC), actively engaged in SSC and IC meetings, and delivered an educational presentation on OT to SSC staff. The OT Coaching program officially launched in spring 2023, including implementation of a live scheduling website, OT Coaching intake forms, and an IC to OT student referral system.

  Building on groundwork from the previous capstone group, this team continued to explore the occupational needs of college students at Dominican. Leveraging the expertise of graduate-level OT students, OT Coaching offered personalized support services to improve students’ overall well-being and participation in meaningful occupations. Acknowledging the importance of client feedback and partnership, Google Forms were incorporated to gather input on program services at the end of each semester. This approach allowed further refinement and tailoring of support services based on the evolving needs of the student community. This team also emphasized sustainability by actively facilitating the transfer of this program to the next capstone group. This collaborative initiative significantly contributed to fostering a supportive campus environment and promoting enduring student success.

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  Pediatric Vaccination Adherence: Enhancing Compliance Among First-Generation Asian American Parents

  Katelyn Leong

  Background: Vaccine adherence in the pediatric population refers to receiving vaccines as per the recommended schedule, which significantly reduces vaccine-preventable diseases and enhances community immunity. Vaccine hesitancy, driven by concerns such as safety, misinformation, or cultural beliefs can affect adherence. National coverage of state-mandated vaccines among kindergarteners declined from 95% to around 93% between 2019 and 2022, varying across different vaccines. Objective: This research proposal’s focus is to determine if an educational intervention targeting first-generation Asian Americans, who have adopted their immigrant parents' misinformation about vaccines, will effectively increase vaccination rates among their children. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of educational outreach in promoting vaccination adherence within this demographic group. The literature reviews contribute to understanding various aspects of pediatric vaccination on parental decision-making and adherence to immunizations and have implications for public health interventions promoting vaccine uptake and adherence among children. It highlights the influence of cultural and societal factors on vaccination rates and hesitancy, exploring demographic, cultural, and psychological influences shaping parental attitudes and behaviors toward childhood vaccination. Method: A quantitative experimental design will be used with a sample size of 100 participating families. Once the 100 participants are selected, they will be randomly placed in either the control or experimental group. Both groups will receive standardized care and education on the necessity of vaccine adherence; however, the control group will not receive the educational intervention coupled with the inclusion of a brochure containing the required dated immunization schedule. Vaccine adherence will be measured by the children’s EHR records (pre- and post-intervention) and a questionnaire will measure vaccine hesitancy and willingness before and after the intervention. As a result of the study, there is an expectation that vaccine adherence scores will increase.

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  ICU Nurse Mental Health: Telehealth vs In-Person Therapy

  Ariel Mach

  Background Nurses working within high-stress specialties, such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), often face a lack of resources aimed at supporting their mental health. The expectation for the nurses is to independently manage their psychological well-being based on their knowledge and educational background. However, many times it is difficult to manage persistent stress, anxiety, or depression and this could adversely affect the quality of patient care and eventually lead to burnout. Telehealth therapy has become more readily available and used since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two forms of treatment delivery. Currently, there is limited research on the effectiveness of telehealth compared to the traditional form of in-person office visits. Objective The primary aim of this literature review and proposal is to improve the mental well-being of ICU nurses while assessing and comparing the effectiveness of telehealth versus in-person therapy in reducing anxiety. The literature review summarizes findings from six studies, categorizing them according to their effect on mental health and the benefits and barriers associated with in-person and telehealth therapy. Method This research proposal will encompass a mixed-methods study involving 25 participants for individual cognitive behavioral therapy, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Participants will be recruited from hospitals with ICU departments through emails/flyers. Data will be collected pre- and post-intervention through questionnaires and surveys along with two test tools called the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). It is hypothesized that telehealth therapy will be more effective in reducing anxiety compared to in-person therapy in ICU nurses.

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  Maternal Stress on Preterm Birth in Asian American Women

  Dana Ma

  Background: Pregnancy represents a crucial life event marked by numerous physical and emotional transformations. The presence of anxiety during pregnancy can negatively impact the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of educational interventions such as meditation, relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy on reducing anxiety levels among pregnant Asian American women. Method: The quantitative true experiment will consist of 100 pregnant Asian American women meeting the inclusion criteria of singleton pregnancy, between ages 25 to 45, and absence of pregnancy complications. Participants will be conveniently sampled from OBGYN clinics in the local area and randomly assigned to either the control or intervention group. The control group will be those receiving standard prenatal care which includes routine check-ups and measurements of anxiety levels. The intervention group will be those attending 1 hour weekly educational sessions including meditation relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. To assess the efficiency of the study, participants' anxiety levels will be assessed using standardized scales such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), Likert scales, and social support scales. Descriptive statistics will be used to compare means between the control and intervention groups. Inferential statistics, such as ht-tests, will be conducted to determine the significance of any observed differences in anxiety levels.

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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