Through the generosity of the Bertha Rosenstadt Doctoral Dissertation Grant, three Bloomberg Nursing PhD students have received support towards their dissertation research for 2013-2014. Samantha Mayo, Orla Smith and Patti Lynn Tracey are making timely progress toward their degrees and this grant will assist in furthering their research pursuits.
Samantha Mayo’s dissertation examines the Prospective Evaluation of Cognitive Functioning following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (alloHSCT). Under the supervision of Dr. Kelly Metcalfe, a professor at Bloomberg Nursing, Mayo will be: 1) evaluating cognitive functioning (neuropsychological performance and self-reported cognitive problems) among patients treated with alloHSCT over the first six months following transplant; (2) identifying factors that predict the trajectories of cognitive functioning in the six months following transplant; (3) evaluating the relationship between neuropsychological performance and self-reported cognitive problems; and (4) exploring the relationship between cognitive functioning with everyday functioning
Also supervised by Dr. Metcalfe, Orla Smith is researching the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety, Depression, and Risk for Post‐Traumatic Stress in Family Members of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: The ICU‐ADAPTS Survey. The objective of her study is to explore patient, family member and decision-making characteristics that predict symptoms of anxiety, depression and risk for post-traumatic stress amongst family members of critically ill patients in the ICU. It is expected that this work will allow us to have a better understanding of the experience of family members in the ICU, and will lead to the future development of interventions aimed at family members to reduce the risk of anxiety, depression, and distress.
Currently in Honduras for research purposes, Patti Lynn Tracey is studying Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Impact on Health Care Services in Rural Honduras: Evaluating a Short-Term Medical Mission Utilizing a Case Study Approach. Under the supervision of Dr. Carles Muntaner, this Dissertation Grant provides Tracey with the resources to continue researching on a study that may have significant contributions for NGOs. Her work could potentially become a guide for NGOs to have a better understanding of the approach, impact and practices of these medical missions has on rural, health care services in Honduras.