Simulation is considered a safe space for learning as no patient harm could occur. However, learner safety is equally significant to consider. Despite increased interest in simulation psychological safety, evidence synthesis to support the effectiveness of interventions remains lacking. This systematic review seeks to determine what interventions are effective for establishing and maintaining psychological safety within the three phases of simulation with healthcare learners. A Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review of effectiveness was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Articles published from 2011 to 2022 and their references from six databases were searched. Eight articles were included in the analysis. Psychological safety interventions were grouped into two categories: (1) single or (2) multidimensional. Single interventions were more likely to improve learner psychological safety. Several interventions can be used during all phases of simulation to foster a psychologically safer simulation learning environment.

Yes / Tranquillity characterized by a pleasant but calming environment is often to be found in natural environments where man-made noise is at a low level though natural sounds can be relatively high. Numerous studies have shown a link between such restorative environments and hospital recovery rates, stress reduction, longevity, pain relief and even how the brain processes auditory signals. In hospitals and primary care facilities there is a need to improve patient waiting rooms as current designs are largely based solely on medical need. There are often long waits in such spaces and patients are coping with the stress and anxiety caused by their medical condition. Attention should therefore be given to creating ‘‘restorative environment” as a component to their medical treatment. The study describes the effects of introducing natural sounds and large images of natural landscapes into a waiting room in a student health center. Using self reported levels of anxiety and tranquillity it was possible to assess the impact that these targeted auditory and visual interventions had in affecting the quality of the patient experience. Following the changes results show that levels of reported tranquillity were significantly improved but there were smaller change in reported reductions in anxiety.

No

This dissertation consists of three studies that investigate the information privacy & security associated with healthcare technology use. Essay 1 PRISMA-style systematically reviews the existing literature on privacy information disclosure in IoT technology and serves as the theoretical foundation of the current research. It is crucial to comprehend why, how, and under what consequences individuals choose to disclose their personal and health information since doing so is beneficial to the company. This SLR method allows us to find those factors that significantly impact individuals' behavioral intention to disclose personal information while using IoT technologies. Essay 2 posits, develops, and tests a comprehensive theoretical framework built upon the theory of planned behavior and the health belief model to examine factors affecting willingness to disclose PHI in order to use WFDs. A research survey is designed and distributed to a crowdsourcing platform, Mechanical Turk (M-Turk). Research hypotheses are tested using partial least square – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). To achieve this purpose, Essay 3 extends the findings from the previous essay and further investigates the caregiver context. Therefore, we developed a novel theoretical model utilizing privacy calculus theory and the technology acceptance model to investigate the willingness of the elderly to disclose personal health information needed to use caregiver robots. Survey data were collected using crowdsourcing utilizing Amazon's Mechanical Turk (M-Turk) and Prolific. Research hypotheses are tested using partial least square – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings provide value for academia, practitioners, and policymakers.

Healthcare equality may seem attainable to most people, but the LGBTQ+ community is not among them. The type of care currently being received by the LGBTQ+ community has caused their reluctance to seek care. According to the last census, the LGBTQ+ population is about 12% of the United States population, so a lack of competent and holistic care for this community creates a massive safety concern. This study aimed to investigate the effect of teaching LGBTQ+-centered care to nursing students via simulation studies. A pre-/post-test design was used with a convenience sample of pre-licensure nursing students at a large Southeastern university (n=19). The Gay Affirmative Practice (GAP) scale measured attitudes about LGBTQ+-centered care pre- and post-education. Personal relationships with the LGBTQ+ community were also explored as a potential factor related to comfort with providing care. A significant difference was found for learners' Gay Affirmative Practice (GAP) scores from the pre- to post- simulation event, with post-test scores higher (µ = 135.37, SD 17.08) than baseline (µ = 126.42, SD = 17.59, p = 0.002). No significant association was found for those having a personal relationship and the pre-to post-test score change for the GAP (r=0.383, p = 0.106). This study can help other nursing programs, or other programs for health care professionals in general, build strong curriculums to help create change for this community.

Health disparities are a recognized public health concern and the need to address these disparities remains worthy of bringing new methods that assist in closing the gap. This research examined the effectiveness of data science to highlight health disparities, and to convey the value of data science applications in related health care applications. The goal of this research was accomplished by undertaking a multi-phased and multi-method approach, best represented in three individual essays. In essay one, a systematic literature review assessed the state in current academic literature of data science applications used to explore health disparities and to determine its applicability. The systematic review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Essay two assessed the capacity of data science software to address the effectiveness of these data science technologies in examining health disparities data. This was conducted using KDnuggets data pertaining to analytics, data science, and machine-learning software. The research in this essay demonstrated the potential utility of leading software to perform the kinds of data science operations that can achieve improved care in healthcare networks by addressing health disparities. Essay three provided an appropriate case study to showcase the value data science brings to the healthcare space. This study used a geographic information system to create and analyze choropleth maps to determine the distribution of prostate cancer in Texas. SPSS software was used to assess the social determinants of health that may explain prostate cancer mortality.

This thesis explores the design of a net-zero community center and apartment complex within the Geneva Cliffs Site in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The project aims to create a sustainable and energy-efficient development that meets the needs of the surrounding community while preserving the historical and industrial heritage of the site. The research delves into various aspects of the design process, including architectural considerations, renewable energy systems, community engagement, and environmental impact. The architectural design focuses on integrating innovative sustainable strategies and materials to achieve net-zero energy performance. Key elements include the utilization of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) for enhanced thermal insulation and soundproofing, as well as other sustainable construction materials such as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and locally sourced reclaimed wood. The building design also incorporates energy-efficient windows, advanced HVAC systems, and solar photovoltaic panels to generate renewable energy on-site. Community engagement plays a crucial role in the project, with an emphasis on stakeholder participation and feedback throughout the design process. By involving residents, local organizations, and government officials, the community center and apartment complex are designed to address the specific needs and aspirations of the community. Multi-purpose spaces, meeting rooms, recreational facilities, arts and cultural spaces, childcare facilities, and technology access areas are incorporated to promote social interaction, education, and community engagement. To assess the project's environmental impact, a comprehensive analysis is conducted, including site analysis, solar potential assessment, and life cycle assessments. The findings inform decision-making in terms of site selection, building orientation, and the incorporation of sustainable technologies and practices. The project aims to minimize environmental impact, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the overall resilience of the development to climate change. Through the integration of sustainable design principles, community engagement, and thorough environmental analysis, this thesis presents a comprehensive approach to the design of a net-zero community center and apartment complex within the Geneva Cliffs Site in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The research contributes to the fields of sustainable architecture, community development, and urban planning, providing insights and strategies for creating environmentally conscious and community-centric developments that can serve as models for future projects.

This study builds on the theory of planned behavior, institutional and innovation diffusion theories to investigate physicians' responses to introduction of electronic medical records (EMR) in large healthcare organizations. Using a case study methodology, we show that physicians' attitudes towards using EMR are influenced by their perceptions of EMR complexity, relative advantage, compatibility with professional beliefs and individual predisposition to change. Specifically, we found that EMR usability characteristics such as system interface, "navigation," "search" and "speed" are major dimensions underlying physicians' perceptions of EMR complexity. To the extent that navigating and searching for clinical results are seen as difficult, physicians' perceptions of the complexity of using EMR are enhanced, with the result of physicians forming more negative attitudes towards EMR and using EMR less. Accessibility to EMR (i.e. logging in) and availability of hardware are two emergent constructs. These factors are immediate barriers for physicians not using EMR or using EMR minimally. At the same time, these barriers contribute to impacting physicians' perceptions that EMR is difficult to use and disadvantageous (i.e. time inefficient) compared to the paper chart. Results also show that most EMR usage at Alpha is rather "shallow." Physicians tend to use data-retrieval EMR minimally, mainly to supplement the paper chart. The availability of this "competing artifact," that is much easier to use and conveniently located near a patient's room limits the extent to which physicians use EMR at Alpha. Use of an imaging EMR system (EMR3) is more committed. EMR3 is used to replace the "old way" of accessing films. Lack of accessibility and hardware barriers, the relative advantage of EMR3 and other system usability considerations contribute to physicians using this system more faithfully. As regards the question "what do physicians want?" it seems that physicians want a system that that is easy to access and simple to use but most importantly, a system that they can directly identify with, an EMR that is personally relevant. In order to promote a "deeper" level of EMR usage, the benefits of EMR need to be emphasized to physicians while any potential costs or barriers reduced or eliminated.

Hospital social work during the COVID-19 pandemic / Healthcare social workers have been on the front lines of the response to COVID-19 since its early days. With an upsurge of social isolation, unemployment, and grief and loss, social workers are being met with new challenges and are required to adapt to new and heightened demands of their roles – while also navigating their own fears and anxieties during the pandemic. While social workers attempt to manage increasing caseloads of complex patient needs, they must navigate the constrained context of their workplace and the changes in patient care. This study used qualitative methods to capture the lived experiences of healthcare social workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, I used qualitative interviewing to explore the reflections of nine hospital social workers in Hamilton, Ontario regarding their experiences of wellness and wellbeing throughout the pandemic. My research identified three key themes: 1) lack of professional agency and power 2) moral injury, and 3) respect and care – organizational and among colleagues. In the discussion section I reflect on the implications of these findings for the practice of social work during and beyond pandemic times. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW) / Healthcare social workers have been on the front lines of the response to COVID-19 since its early days. With an upsurge of social isolation, unemployment, and grief and loss, social workers are being met with new challenges and are required to adapt to new and heightened demands of their roles – while also navigating their own fears and anxieties during the pandemic. While social workers attempt to manage increasing caseloads of complex patient needs, they must navigate the constrained context of their workplace and the changes in patient care. This study used qualitative methods to capture the lived experiences of healthcare social workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, I used qualitative interviewing to explore the reflections of nine hospital social workers in Hamilton, Ontario regarding their experiences of wellness and wellbeing throughout the pandemic. My research identified three key themes: 1) lack of professional agency and power 2) moral injury, and 3) respect and care – organizational and among colleagues. In the discussion section I reflect on the implications of these findings for the practice of social work during and beyond pandemic times.

This research builds off previous research conducted in 2009 which included a survey of healthcare professionals assessing their organization’s levels of supply chain maturity (SCM) and data standard readiness (DSR) from 1 to 5 [Smith, 2011]. With the survey data, Smith developed a 0-1 quadratic program to conserve the maximum amount of survey data while removing non-responses. This research uses the quadratic program as well as other machine learning algorithms and analysis methods to investigate what factors contribute to an organization’s SCM and DSR levels the most. No specific factors were found; however, different levels of prediction accuracy were achieved across the five different subsets and algorithms. he best accuracy prediction SCM model was linear discriminant analysis on the Reduced subset at 50.84% while the highest prediction accuracy for DSR was stepwise regression on the PCA subset at 45.00%. Most misclassifications found in this study were minimal.