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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Nursing
Notes
- Abstract:
- Background: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. However, it can be avoided in most situations if proper screening is performed. There are suggested guidelines to assist in keeping patients properly screened, but it has been documented in the literature that health care providers are not following guidelines when screening for colorectal cancer. Specifically, there are limited studies regarding the screening practices of nurse practitioners. This project therefore documented the practices of nurse practitioners in the Palm Beach County area of Florida. Several studies have suggested that nurse practitioners are invaluable members of the multidisciplinary team who will help to increase appropriate colorectal cancer screening. Purpose: The purpose of this project was two-fold: first, to determine whether or not nurse practitioners are following current guidelines to screen patients for colorectal cancer and to gain insight as to what drives current screening practices. Second, was to modify an educational program aimed at nurse practitioners’ screening practices based on national guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. Theoretical Framework: Avedis Donabedian’s evaluation of health care. Methods: An electronic survey was used to gain knowledge of nurse practitioners’ screening practices within Palm Beach County Florida. This data was used to create an educational program regarding colorectal cancer screening directed towards nurse practitioners. Results: Findings were aligned with the published literature on the subject. Sixty-three percent of nurse practitioners surveyed reported that they performed fecal occult blood tests via digital rectal examination in the office utilizing a single stool specimen. Only one-third of the respondents chose the national guideline recommended stopping age of 75 to terminate screening. Most nurse practitioners chose the correct starting age of 50 (89%) for an average risk patient according to national guidelines. Conclusion: There is a need for the education of Palm Beach County nurse practitioners in the area of guideline centered colorectal cancer screening.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (D.N.P.)--Barry University, 2013.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-72).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Dana Sheehan. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RC280.C6 S44 2013_SheehanDana ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RC280.C6 S44 2013 ( lcc )
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