Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) faculty continue to engage in research activities examining a wide variety of issues both clinically and within the laboratory. Much of WCHP is grounded in the clinical preparation of future professionals in health care. WCHP faculty pursuing research investigate issues surrounding these clinical preparations, clinical interventions that inform practice, and bench research that aids in the growth of understanding of complex scientific questions. Summer research activities include:
Dr. Deb Kramlich and Dr. Nancy Baugh, School of Nursing and Population Health
“Nursing Students’ Experiences and Perceptions of Contract Grading: A Qualitative Study”
Traditional grading systems using points, percentages, and letter grades continue to be the focus of nursing education assessment. Faculty are learning more about social equity concerns of these traditional grading models and are exploring alternative evaluation methods that are equitable as well as accurate and reliable. Contract grading has been used in a variety of educational settings and is defined as a written agreement between faculty and students for how students will be evaluated during a course. It is a form of self-directed learning that serves as an alternative to points, percentages, and other traditional grade-based forms of evaluation that accumulate throughout a term and derive from teachers’ definitions and perceptions of quality. Through this process, learning becomes active rather than passive processes for students and allows them to become more independent and responsible for their own learning.
Specific Aims of this study include:
- What impact has contract grading had on the students’ sense of satisfaction with their learning?
- What impact has contract grading had on students’ sense of mastery of content?
- What impact has contract grading had on students’ perception of achievement of course objectives?
Findings from this study will help to further refine the contract grading structure and contribute to the body of literature regarding the effectiveness of contract grading in prelicensure nursing education.
Jen Gennaco, DigiSpace Coordinator and Dr. Deb Kramlich, School of Nursing and Population Health
“Content Analysis of Nursing Students’ ePortfolio Reflections and Design Choices: A Qualitative Study”
The aim of this study is to better understand the students’ metacognition of their skill set and sense of professional identity by the completion of their nursing program. ePortfolios from four graduated classes will be sampled (20%) to seek a better understanding of the impact of the use of reflection and application of skills categories on promoting metacognition. Students’ design choices and highlighted content will provide insight into their metacognition and perception of high-value content as they transition from a learning ePortfolio to a showcase ePortfolio.
Recently, a team that included WCHP faculty, MSOT and UNECOM students, and a representative from CECE completed a mixed methods research study entitled “Interprofessional Education: A 5-year Analysis of its Impact on Workplace Practice”. The authors are:
Elizabeth W. Crampsey Ed.D, MS OTR/L University of New England, Associate Clinical Professor, MSOT Program
Kira Rodriguez, MHS, University of New England, Senior Research Associate, Center for Excellence in Public Health
Shelley Cohen Konrad Ph.D., LCSW, FNAP, University of New England, Director, Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education, Professor, School of Social Work
*Stephanie DeCarvalho, OMS-IIII, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
*Kelsey Pelletier, OMS-IIII, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
*Caroline Jaeger, OMS-III, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
*Dakota Rogers, MSOT (Class of 2022), University of New England College of Occupational Therapy
Kris Hall, MFA, Program Manager, University of New England, Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education
This exploratory study examined knowledge and skill transfer from campus-based interprofessional education to workforce collaborative practice. The authors were interested in learning whether and how health professions graduates implemented IPE knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills gained during their time at university to their professional practices. Findings from the study suggested four (4) common themes: 1) interprofessional competencies learned while at university readily transferred to workforce practice; 2) alumni appreciated having learned IPE competencies and skills to prepare for future employment; 3) awareness of others’ diverse perspectives and roles was advantageous to working on teams and with other professions; and 4) IPE aided in alumni’s value for patient-centered approaches. Overall, the study suggests that campus-based interprofessional learning was valued and brought university-acquired collaborative knowledge and skill into their work environments to the benefit of patients and practice teams.
“Effect of plastic nanoparticles on an in vitro model of the inflamed intestine”
Zainab Jabor (PharmD 2025) and Steven C Sutton, PhD, FAAPS (Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration)
During the summer semester of 2022, as part of the Dean’s Summer Fellowship, Zainab Jabor is working with Dr. Sutton on this project, developing skills in tissue culture and other basic laboratory techniques. The goal of this project is to add to the body of research showing the effects of microplastics on humans, animals, and on the environment, and to lend to the development of approaches to this worldwide problem.
Over the past 5 years, the effects of nanoplastic and a model ‘forever chemical’ benzyl [a] benzene have been studied in the Sutton Lab using an in vitro model of the intestine consisting of an absorptive cell (Caco-2) and a mucous secreting cell (HT-29). Chronic inflammation can result in precancerous cells and overt cancer in the intestines. Gut inflammation may also adversely impact immune response and protection. The tri-culture model includes macrophages from THP-1 cells and can mimic both a stable and an inflamed intestine. We hypothesize that the chronic exposure of plastic nanoparticles on the in vitro inflamed intestine can further exacerbate the inflammation.
Experiments use a permeable support separating an apical and basolateral compartment. On this support, a monolayer of cells consisting of Caco-2 & HT-29 cells is grown. The well (basolateral compartment) contains differentiated THP-1 cells. The stable model is inflamed by exposure to LPS & IFN-g. The models will then be exposed to an amount of TiO2 that has been shown to cause inflammation. This is followed by an exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNP) that have been subjected to an in vitro digestion of salivary, gastric and intestinal composition. The analysis of inflammation and cell health markers will ascertain whether the PSNP caused an increase in inflammation.
If the hypothesis holds, then this work could be evidence that very low levels of such food contaminants may result in poor gut health.
“Virtual Reality as a Tool to Increase Student Pharmacist Empathy”
Stephanie Nichols, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPP, FCCP, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Kirsten Sullivan, PharmD Candidate 2024; Susan Woods, MD, MPH; Kenneth M. McCall, PharmD, FAPhA; Brian J Piper, MS, PhD
VR allows the user to experience diseases through fully immersive 360-degree, first-person views. In this qualitative analysis, student pharmacists used VR to embody a person with Alzheimer’s disease. After experiencing realistic sensory disturbances, language comprehension difficulties, confusion, and aphasia, students completed reflective prompts describing the experience, its impact on empathy, and resultant changes in patient care.
Empathy is a difficult skill to teach and tools that are readily accessible and effective are highly needed. This study builds evidence that VR is a robust tool which can supplement didactic pharmacy education, influencing knowledge, empathetic attitudes, and anticipated pharmacist behaviors. Empathetic themes and specific behavioral change themes point to specific and student-centered benefits and outcomes of importance which can be directly translated for use by other schools/colleges of pharmacy. Next steps are to evaluate this experience in other student populations including medical, nursing, and dental professionals as well as when depicting another high stigma condition such as OUD or bipolar disorder.
“Association between methamphetamine and heroin use and suicide attempt”
Stephanie Nichols, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPP, FCCP, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy
This quantitative multivariate analysis examined the association between past year suicide attempt and past year heroin, methamphetamine, inhalants, and alcohol use. Control variables included age, gender, race, sexual identity, household income, and past year depression. Descriptive statistics and unadjusted suicide attempt association statistics were identified for each variable. After adjustment for confounding factors, variables that continue to have a statistical association with suicide attempt were identified using a multiple regression analysis.
Deaths of despair, involving both unintentional overdoses and deaths by suicide, are rising; methamphetamine and heroin use are also rising.This study describes the association between suicide attempt and use of various substances, which can be used to support funding aimed at developing educational programs about suicide and specific substances in geographical locations where suicide rate and/or use of that substance is most prevalent. By additionally identifying sub-populations of people at greatest risk for suicide attempt with the use of various substances, possible explanations can be developed. These possible explanations can be studied using quantitative and qualitative methods, and a root cause can be identified, leading to identification of upstream solutions such as improving equitable access to mental health care.
Erin Hartigan, PT, D.P.T., Ph.D., ATC, LAT, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Erin Hartigan continues her work on an application (app) that summarizes best practices to promote standardized care among clinicians treating patients during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation.