For this assignment, you will write an introduction. Refer to Module 3: Lecture Materials & Resources to help you complete this assignment.
Your Introduction must include:
- Your PICOT question.
- Purpose of or rationale for the scholarly project:
- Provide an evidence-based explanation of why it is necessary to complete your scholarly project and what benefit will be gained (health promotion, fiscal, and efficiency).
- Background on the problem or population of interest:
- Using primary sources, provide data on your topic.
- Providing the background will demonstrate the focused need for your project.
- Significance of the problem to nursing and health care:
- State how your problem or population of interest aligns with the larger interest of health care in the community.
- Create a context to why your topic is important.
- Benefit of the project to nursing practice:
- State what will be gained from your project.
- Describe the expected outcomes of your project to practice within your population and setting.
- Relate the outcomes to evidence-based guidelines and outcomes.
- Describe how your project may influence other populations or settings.
Submission Instructions:
- The introduction is original work and logically organized.
- The assignment is 2-3 pages in length and follows current APA format including citation of references.
- Incorporate a minimum of 4 current (published within the last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work.
1
Research Proposal
Tiffany Amaya
St. Thomas University
NUR-611-AP2.25/SU2
Dr. Janet M. Huxley, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C
July 6, 2025
Research Proposal
Diabetic patients are at significantly higher risk for developing depression, yet depression often goes undiagnosed or undertreated in this population. Nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary care settings are ideally positioned to implement evidence-based preventive screening guidelines, but inconsistent adherence to these guidelines may lead to missed opportunities for early detection and management of depression. This is a problem because untreated depression in diabetic patients is linked to poor glycemic control, reduced treatment adherence, and worse overall health outcomes.
Research Question:
How does adherence to evidence-based preventive screening guidelines by nurse practitioners in primary care settings affect the identification and management of depression in adult patients with diabetes?
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Research Design Options: Quantitative, Qualitative, Systematic Review, Mixed Method Study
Outcome variables measured: what is the researcher trying to measure or investigate. The aim or objective of the study.
Quality is very subjective: This is your opinion so you cannot get this wrong. Choose from the following:
A: (High) Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect.
B: (Moderate) Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate.
C: (Low) Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate.
CAPSTONE: PART II
1. Review of Literature
– Review and discuss literature: Synthesize at least 10 primary research studies and/or systematic reviews; do not include summary articles. This section is all about the scientific evidence rather than someone else’s opinion of the evidence. Do not use secondary sources; you need to get the article, read it, and make your own decision about quality and applicability to your question even if you did find out about the study in a review of the literature. This is a synthesis rather than a study by study review. Address the similarities, differences, and controversies in the body of evidence.
2. Analyze and apply knowledge directly to your PICOT- The studies that you cite in this section must relate directly to your PICOT question.
3. Provide precise body of evidence for your Practice Change
4. Discuss objectives for your practice change
5. Discuss where the problem exists, why it exists, what is the preposition for change
6. Apply all that is relevant to the problem. For example: Pros vs Cons, current state of problem
NOTE: It should not reflect your opinion, but rather Evidence Based Practice should be applied
-After completing a literature search on interventions addressing your chosen health problem, write a review that evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of all the sources you have found.
-Use appropriate APA 7th Ed. format along with Syllabus outline
-Scholarly, peer-reviewed, and research articles cited should be within the last five years.
-This section should be 4 pages long (not including the title and reference page).
-Use proper in-text citations with a properly formatted reference list.
-All papers must be written in the 3rd person.
PLEASE ADD -How will you identify the depressed patients without comprising health records? What would you do if a resident presents with depressive symptoms? Keep in mind that the APNs will not be able to treat. In the Review of Literature, you will have to expand on cost of care, what does the data show? How much?
Reminder, each assignment needs a Conclusion paragraph as per APA.
DUE DATE: JULY 24, 2025
PLEASE NOTE CAPSTONE PART 1 IS ATTACHED, READ IT TO DO PART 2 ACCORDINGLY.
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ EACH REQUIREMENT NEEDED FOR THIS CAPSTONE PART 2
1
Capstone Part I PICOT Assignment
Student's name: William Carrazana
Instructor: Carmen Lazo
Course: MSN Capstone Project-DBX-DL01
Date: July 6, 2025
Reducing Depression in Long-Term Care Older Adults Using Group-Based CBT
Depression is a prominent mental disorder among elderly individuals who live in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The group suffers from higher levels of depression brought about by problems such as isolation, sickness, loss of autonomy, and displacement from loved ones. According to Poole et al. (2022), a quarter of the older residents in LTCFs suffer from severe symptoms of depression. Notwithstanding this, such patients remain under-diagnosed or under-treated. LTCF depression has been associated with poorer health consequences, increased mortality, poor quality of life, and increased costs of care through increased hospitalization and medication expenses (Poole et al., 2022).
This article proposes an evidence-based intervention of guided group-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in order to reduce depressive symptoms and improve mood in LTCF residents. This can be measured by changes in depressive symptom scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) upon admission and follow-up after a 12-week intervention. The proposal aligns with nurse-led models of care and offers a choice over pharmacological interventions, thereby providing an affordable approach for LTCFs.
Comprehensive PICOT Analysis
P (Population): Older persons over 65 years with depression who live in LTCFs with depression symptoms. They are usually diagnosed with mild and moderate depression or screened using standardized assessment tools such as the GDS.
I (Intervention): Formulated group-focused CBT, two times a week. The therapy is designed to help participants overcome negative thought patterns and foster positive social interactions.
C (Comparison): Social activities of daily living, like bingo playing, movie evenings, or uncompensated group free-time visits, not therapeutic intervention or mental health counseling.
O (Outcome): Reduction in depressive symptoms and enhanced mood as measured by pre- and post-treatment GDS scores.
T (Time): A 12-week intervention period with sufficient time for involvement and perceptible outcomes.
PICOT question: “In older adults residing in long-term care facilities with symptoms of depression (P), does participation in structured group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions (I), compared to routine social activities alone (C), reduce depressive symptoms and improve mood (O) over 12 weeks (T)?
Description of the Vulnerable Population
Older adults in LTCFs are significantly at risk due to some social determinants of health. They include financial constraint, mobility problems, cognitive decline, compromised access to good-quality mental health care, and loneliness. Studies have established that isolation is the best predictor of depression among older individuals (Li, Bai, & Chen, 2022).
Risk indicators for depression among this group are recent bereavement of a spouse, co-morbid chronic diseases, absence of family engagement, and the institution itself. Up to 50% of residents in LTCFs have substantial depressive symptoms, yet most receive no evidence-based treatments (Matos Queirós et al., 2021).
The additive effects of ageism, mental illness stigma, and inadequate staffing in mental health in LTCFs render this group susceptible (Al-Dwaikat et al., 2022). Such vulnerabilities necessitate the use of existing and effective interventions like CBT that are not dependent on psychiatric referral.
Evidence-Based Research Supporting the Intervention
Several recent peer-reviewed reviews support the application of CBT as an effective depression treatment among the elderly. Mijnster et al. (2022) carried out a randomized controlled trial, observing that LTCF residents undergoing group-based CBT reported fewer signs of depression compared to a control group undertaking standard social activities.
Chen et al. (2020) demonstrated the effectiveness of nurse practitioner-delivered CBT, resulting in improved depression scores and increased social interaction. The results highlight that not only is CBT effective, but it can also be implemented when provided by competent, advanced practice nurses within long-term care.
Proposed Intervention
This proposal sets forth the implementation of a 12-week group-based evidence-based CBT intervention among LTCF residents experiencing depressive symptoms. The intervention would last 45 minutes, twice a week, and be delivered by an advanced practice nurse (APN) or a licensed clinical psychologist with training in CBT principles.
Each session will include:
A brief mood check-in
Discussion of cognitive distortions
Behavioral activation exercises
Group interaction to foster social support
Resources required include a private meeting space, printed CBT materials, training sessions for APNs, and standardized evaluation tools like the GDS.
Timeline:
Weeks 1–2: Staff training and participant recruitment/screening
Weeks 3–14: CBT sessions begin (24 sessions total)
Week 15: Post-intervention data collection
Week 16: Program evaluation and feedback
Theoretical Framework: Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring
This theory encompasses both the psychological and emotional aspects of healing and is therefore highly applicable to the mental health care of the elderly.
Watson's transpersonal caring theory is best applied in transpersonal caring relationships, which are particularly critical in CBT groups, where empathy, trust, and respect among group members are essential for successful therapy. This is consistent with the process of CBT, which promotes cognitive restructuring and emotional security through positive interpersonal contact.
Using Watson's framework ensures that this intervention is both clinically and humanistically oriented, addressing the emotional and spiritual well-being of residents. Some of the benefits that accrue from this are decreased readmissions, improved emotional resilience, and enhanced quality of life, all of which positively impact health outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
References
Al-Dwaikat, T. N., Rababa, M., & Alaloul, F. (2022). Relationship of stigmatization and social support with depression and anxiety among cognitively intact older adults. Heliyon, 8(9), e10722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10722
Chen, J. T.-H., Wuthrich, V. M., Rapee, R. M., Draper, B., Brodaty, H., Cutler, H., Low, L.-F., Georgiou, A., Johnco, C., Jones, M., Meuldijk, D., & Partington, A. (2022). Improving mental health and social participation outcomes in older adults with depression and anxiety: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. PLOS ONE, 17(6), e0269981. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269981
Li, Y., Bai, X., & Chen, H. (2022). Social Isolation, Cognitive Function, and Depression Among Chinese Older Adults: Examining Internet Use as a Predictor and a Moderator. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.809713
Matos Queirós, A., von Gunten, A., Martins, M., Wellens, Nathalie I. H., & Verloo, H. (2021). The Forgotten Psychopathology of Depressed Long-Term Care Facility Residents: A Call for Evidence-Based Practice. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra, 11(1), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.1159/000514118
Poole, L., Frost, R., Rowlands, H., & Black, G. (2022). Experience of depression in older adults with and without a physical long-term condition: findings from a qualitative interview study. BMJ Open, 12(2), e056566. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056566
The students will continue the research topic already started. In this paper you are going to conduct a brief literature review on your topic. This paper must include at least 5 supporting articles related to the chosen topic (3 are peer-review journal articles) and will provide the desired methodology for their project. (strict adherence to APA guidelines is required). Additionally, is it important the quality of the writing, not the quantity. The writings should be concise, factual and disseminates information. It should not be your opinion. Use the following as subheadings for your paper.
The ASSIGNMENT will include:
1. Brief literature review- Support your topic
2. Methodology and design of the study (Be detailed )
3. Sampling methodology- Qualitative or Quantitative or Mixed method for example
4. Necessary tools- will you be using any surveys?
5. Any algorithms or flow maps created- (illustrations)
DUE DATE JULY 24, 2025
4 PAGES
NO MORE THAN 10% PLAGIARISM IS ALLOWED WILL BE SUBMITTED VIA TURNIN IN
PLEASE NOTE PHASE 1 IS ATTACHED TO BE ABLE TO DO AND CONTINUE PART 2 ACCORDINGLY
1
Phase I Assignment
Student's name: Yulexis Moreda
Instructor: Aciel Sagrera-Mulen
Course: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Date: July 6, 2025
Reducing Hospital Readmissions for Heart Failure Patients
Introduction to the Problem
HF is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States, especially among older adults. According to Roger (2021), "HF is far more prevalent in older age groups, reaching 4.3% among persons aged 65 to 70 years old in 2012 and projected to increase steadily through year 2030 when the prevalence of HF could reach 8.5%". As Khan et al. (2021) report, "Nearly 1 in 4 heart failure (HF) patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge and approximately half are readmitted within 6 months". This high readmission rate is a serious issue in healthcare provision, commonly indicating unacceptable transitional care and inadequate post-discharge patient support.
Hospital discharge to home is a sensitive period, especially in the case of HF patients who must deal with multiple self-care and follow-up tasks. Studies indicate that readmissions are generally avoidable with proper transitional care measures. Transitional nursing aims to bridge the care gap by implementing systematic interventions, such as patient education, discharge planning, follow-up phone calls, and coordination with outpatient practitioners. When implemented by nurses, these interventions have been found to decrease hospital readmissions and enhance patient outcomes. The goal of this project is to investigate how nurses' transitional care strategies impact the reduction of preventable hospital readmissions for patients with heart failure.
Identifying the Problem
The most significant problem is the high percentage of 30-day hospital readmissions among patients with heart failure. Transitions are most frequently associated with care fragmentation for hospital-to-home discharge, e.g., poor discharge teaching, medication abuse, failure to follow up on time, and poor patient comprehension of their disease (Sakowitz et al., 2023). Although post-discharge care has been optimized, most hospitals lack the capability to offer uniform, high-quality transitional services for HF patients.
There is also a shortage of standard, evidence-based treatments. Patients are commonly discharged from the hospital with minimal information about their drugs, diet, and warning signs of collapse. Interchanges also among hospital groups and community-based carers are frequently poor, resulting in discontinuity of care. That breakdown significantly enhances the risk of avoidable complications and readmission, which consumes healthcare resources and damages patient well-being.
Significance of the Issue to Nursing
The problem of readmission for heart failure is especially relevant to the field of nursing practice. Nurses are at the forefront of discharge planning and patient education, and their role in transitional care is critical to ensuring that patients are adequately prepared upon hospital discharge. Marques et al. (2022) note that "Outpatient care provided by nurses to patients with HF has been the focus of studies, showing a reduction in hospital readmissions". Advanced practice nurses are also well-suited to facilitate and direct care transition models that encourage communication, track patient progress, and maintain post-discharge adherence to care plans.
High rates of readmission are quality markers of care and are associated with financial penalties in value-based reimbursement systems for care. Nurses are dedicated to acting on these quality markers through evidence-based practice. Transitional care is an outgrowth of the nursing process with a focus on assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Nurses can play a highly influential role in reducing readmissions, improving patient satisfaction, and making the healthcare system more sustainable by taking the lead on transitional care initiatives (Marques et al., 2022).
In addition, transitional care supports nursing's holistic philosophy because it extends beyond the repair of physical well-being to address the emotional, social, and educational health needs of patients. Nurses reassure, explain physicians' orders, and represent the patient's interests throughout the continuum of care. A readmission reduction not only enhances clinical outcomes but also fosters trust and involvement among patients and healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Research
The primary objective of this research is to assess the impact of nurses' transitional care interventions on the 30-day readmission rates of heart failure patients to hospitals. The study will quantify the effectiveness of various interventions, including follow-up phone calls, home visits, telemonitoring, and medication reconciliation, in preventing readmissions. Besides clinical outcomes, the study will assess patients' views of the care provided and nurses' experiences with implementing these strategies.
Knowing which elements of transitional care yield the most beneficial results can enable institutions to allocate resources effectively and emulate successful methods. By identifying where implementation is likely to be least successful, this research can also inform educational and policy initiatives, enabling nurses to deliver high-quality care during transitions of care. Finally, the results will further establish an evidence base supporting safe, patient-oriented care and facilitating professional development for nurses in extended roles.
Research Questions
This research will be informed by a set of guiding questions: What are the most effective nurse transitional care programs to minimize 30-day hospital readmission of heart failure? How do patients assess the quality and efficacy of transitional care services from nurses following hospital discharge? What are nurses' challenges in implementing transitional care among heart failure patients?
Responding to these questions will help construct a deeper understanding of how transitional care can be maximized to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, most critically those with chronic cardiovascular disease.
Master's Essentials that aligned with this topic
This project aligns with several of the Essentials of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials for Master's Education. Essential I, which involves the integration of scientific knowledge from both the sciences and humanities, is evident in comprehending the multifaceted pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics of heart failure care. Essential II, Organizational and Systems Leadership, emphasizes the design and testing of interventions that necessitate strategic planning, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement.
Core IV, Translating and Integrating Scholarship into Practice, is paramount to this study, as it involves the implementation of existing evidence into the practice of practical nursing interventions. Core VI, Health Policy and Advocacy, is met by confronting systemic barriers and policy dilemmas related to transitional care services. Finally, Core IX, Master ''s-Level Nursing Practice, is confronted by addressing leadership, clinical decision-making, and care coordination, all key elements of advanced nursing practice in transitional care facilities.
Conclusion
The challenge of high hospital readmission of patients with heart failure is of concern to the healthcare of today, one that nurses can solve. Transitional care nursing is a solution whose time has arrived, providing continuity, safety, and education during the hazardous post-discharge period. This study aims to reiterate the importance of nurse intervention in enhancing patient outcomes and contributing to a more efficient, patient-focused healthcare system. By identifying effective interventions and reviewing implementation barriers, this study contributes to the advancement of nursing practice and the delivery of high-quality care for individuals with chronic illnesses.
References
Khan, M. S., Sreenivasan, J., Lateef, N., Abougergi, M. S., Greene, S. J., Ahmad, T., … & Butler, J. (2021). Trends in 30-and 90-day readmission rates for heart failure. Circulation: Heart Failure, 14(4), e008335. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.121.008335
Marques, C. R. D. G., de Menezes, A. F., Ferrari, Y. A. C., Oliveira, A. S., Tavares, A. C. M., Barreto, A. S., … & Santana-Santos, E. (2022). Educational nursing intervention in reducing hospital readmission and the mortality of patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, 9(12), 420. https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/9/12/420
Roger, V. L. (2021). Epidemiology of heart failure: a contemporary perspective. Circulation research, 128(10), 1421–1434. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.318172
Sakowitz, S., Madrigal, J., Williamson, C., Ebrahimian, S., Richardson, S., Ascandar, N., … & Benharash, P. (2023). Care fragmentation after hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction. The American Journal of Cardiology, 187, 131–137. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.121.008335