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Title: A New Mechanical and Radiation Isocenter Adjustment Approach Using the Isopoint.
Creator: Irons, Tristan, Kyriacou, Andreas, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Physics, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The Winston-Lutz has been the standard test for isocenter convergence, however, any adjustments needed – in case the test fails – are time consuming since the source of error is not readily available from the results. Isopoint by the Aktina Medical company has been developed to address this problem via decoupling the mechanical from the radiation isocenter and providing the user with information that was inaccessible before. The focus of this research is to perform optimization of the...
Show moreThe Winston-Lutz has been the standard test for isocenter convergence, however, any adjustments needed – in case the test fails – are time consuming since the source of error is not readily available from the results. Isopoint by the Aktina Medical company has been developed to address this problem via decoupling the mechanical from the radiation isocenter and providing the user with information that was inaccessible before. The focus of this research is to perform optimization of the isocenter by using the Isopoint and to confirm the validity of its results, as well as to find how much time is saved via this new technology. The data for this project was collected on a 2012 Elekta Synergy, a Varian 21ix, and a 2021 Elekta Versa through partnership with GenesisCare. Our findings indicate that the Isopoint will allow for more accurate and speedy adjustments of the LINAC (Linear Accelerator) and will be integral in the future of this field.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014259
Subject Headings: Medical physics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: EQUITY IN THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL CARE IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA.
Creator: MITCHEL, CLAIRE FURMAN., Florida Atlantic University, Schultz, Ronald R., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: This study gives an overview of medical care delivery in southeast Florida. Examination is made of the change in location of physicians over time and inequitability in distribution of medical care service. Conclusions are drawn about the reasons for inequitable distribution based on socioeconomic class and race.
Date Issued: 1974
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13668
Subject Headings: Medical care--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An Algorithm to Determine IMRT Optimization Parameters within the Elekta Monaco® Treatment Planning System that Increases Dose Homogeneity and Dose Conformity in the Planning Target Volume.
Creator: Gregorisch, David, Pella, Silvia, Kyriacou, Andreas, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Physics, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: An algorithm to determine IMRT optimization parameters within the Elekta Monaco® treatment planning system that increases dose homogeneity and dose conformity in the planning target volume was developed. This algorithm determines IMRT optimization parameters by calculating the difference between two pairs of dose points along the target volume’s dose volume histogram: Dmax – Dmin, and D2 – D98. The algorithm was tested on the Elekta Monaco® Treatment Planning System at GenesisCare of Coconut...
Show moreAn algorithm to determine IMRT optimization parameters within the Elekta Monaco® treatment planning system that increases dose homogeneity and dose conformity in the planning target volume was developed. This algorithm determines IMRT optimization parameters by calculating the difference between two pairs of dose points along the target volume’s dose volume histogram: Dmax – Dmin, and D2 – D98. The algorithm was tested on the Elekta Monaco® Treatment Planning System at GenesisCare of Coconut Creek, Florida using CT data from 10 anonymized patients with non-small cell lung cancer of various tumor sizes and locations. Nine iterations of parameters were tested on each patient. Once the ideal parameters were found, the results were evaluated using the ICRU report 83 homogeneity index as well as the Paddick conformity index. As an outcome of this research, it is recommended that at least three iterations of IMRT optimization parameters should be calculated to find the ideal parameters.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013990
Subject Headings: Radiotherapy, Algorithm, Medical physics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF HEALTHCARE USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Creator: Gogova, Jennifer, Marques, Oge, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Digital transformation is rapidly changing the healthcare industry, and artificial intelligence (AI) is a critical component in this evolution. This thesis investigates three selected challenges that might delay the adoption of AI in healthcare and proposes ways to address them successfully. Challenge #1 states that healthcare professionals may not feel sufficiently knowledgeable about AI. This is addressed by Contribution #1 which is a guide for self-actualization in AI for healthcare...
Show moreDigital transformation is rapidly changing the healthcare industry, and artificial intelligence (AI) is a critical component in this evolution. This thesis investigates three selected challenges that might delay the adoption of AI in healthcare and proposes ways to address them successfully. Challenge #1 states that healthcare professionals may not feel sufficiently knowledgeable about AI. This is addressed by Contribution #1 which is a guide for self-actualization in AI for healthcare professionals. Challenge #2 explores the concept of transdisciplinary teams needing a work protocol to deliver successful results. This is addressed by Contribution #2 which is a step-by-step protocol for medical and AI researchers working on data-intensive projects. Challenge #3 states that the NIH All of Us Research Hub has a steep learning curve, and this is addressed by Contribution #3 which is a pilot project involving transdisciplinary teams using All of Us datasets.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014179
Subject Headings: Healthcare, Medical care, Artificial intelligence—Medical applications
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RATINGS OF PROPOSED RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT MANAGER COMPETENCIES WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUBJECT CONTENT AT THE BACCALAUREATE LEVEL.
Creator: EHRINGER, JON NICHOLAS., Florida Atlantic University, Floyd, Marilyn J.
Abstract/Description: This study was undertaken because of the increased role of the building level administrator in the administration of special education programs at the school level. ' The essential purposes of the study were to assess the special education competencies of regular elementary, middle, and high school principals or designees, in a school-based managed public school system in Florida, and to locate sources of knowledge/training contributing to the attainment of competencies. As a basis for the...
Show moreThis study was undertaken because of the increased role of the building level administrator in the administration of special education programs at the school level. ' The essential purposes of the study were to assess the special education competencies of regular elementary, middle, and high school principals or designees, in a school-based managed public school system in Florida, and to locate sources of knowledge/training contributing to the attainment of competencies. As a basis for the study, eight competencies previously delineated by Nevin in Vermont in 1977 were utilized. A portion of the present study sought to validate the eight competencies as essential for implementation of special education programs in Florida. Major findings were that most respondents: (1) considered all eight competencies to be essential, (2) have not mastered all eight competencies but possessed each to a degree of understanding, and (3) obtained knowledge/ training most often from on the job experience and wished to receive further training by in-service provided by the district. Competencies not mastered tended to be those requiring specific knowledge in special education involving due process, student records, federal and state mandates, programming policies, and staff functions/qualifications. Several implications relative to competency status, pre-service and in-service training, and future research with building level administrators are discussed.
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Date Issued: 1979
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11743
Subject Headings: Medical radiology--Vocational guidance
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: “Pretty, Pills, and Perspective: The Not-so Charmed Medicalization of Women’s Mental Health”.
Creator: Wilson, Jennifer R., McConnell, William, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Sociology, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Using content analysis and in-depth interviews, this study finds variation in perspective of mental health in 1) how it is framed on social media platforms by mental health treatment advertisements and 2) how woman perceive their own mental health struggles, how they sought and maintain treatment, and how the culture of social media influences this perspective. To investigate this topic, this study is separated into two phases: Phase One is a content analysis of 25 mental health treatment...
Show moreUsing content analysis and in-depth interviews, this study finds variation in perspective of mental health in 1) how it is framed on social media platforms by mental health treatment advertisements and 2) how woman perceive their own mental health struggles, how they sought and maintain treatment, and how the culture of social media influences this perspective. To investigate this topic, this study is separated into two phases: Phase One is a content analysis of 25 mental health treatment advertisements for depression and/or anxiety on Facebook and Instagram with three questions in mind: 1. How do advertisements on social media frame depression and anxiety? 2. What are the solutions proposed? And 3. How are women represented in these advertisements? Phase Two consists of 14 in-depth interviews with three questions in mind: 1. How do women understand their mental health problems? 2. How do social media advertisements affect women seeking mental health treatment? And 3. How does social media affect current course of mental health treatment? Social media advertisements do medicalize women’s perspective of mental health and can best be understood in three terms: communication, convenience, and confidence, through an interplay of medicalization and gender framing. Women give meaning to their mental health through their experience in past and current life circumstances and the culture of social media has shifted understanding and engagement with this dynamic.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014163
Subject Headings: Women—Mental health, Medicalization
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Health care expenditures in the United States and five industrialized economies: A pooled time-series cross-section model.
Creator: Shah, Sandhya K., Florida Atlantic University, Manage, Neela D., College of Business, Department of Economics
Abstract/Description: This thesis empirically analyzes the determinants of national health care expenditures in the United States and five other industrialized economies. A reduced-form model for national health care expenditures, based upon a partial-adjustment mechanism, is specified as a function of supply and demand factors in interrelated markets in the medical sector and estimated for the United States for the period 1960 to 1990. A pooled model is also estimated for a cross-section of six industrialized...
Show moreThis thesis empirically analyzes the determinants of national health care expenditures in the United States and five other industrialized economies. A reduced-form model for national health care expenditures, based upon a partial-adjustment mechanism, is specified as a function of supply and demand factors in interrelated markets in the medical sector and estimated for the United States for the period 1960 to 1990. A pooled model is also estimated for a cross-section of six industrialized economies based upon time series data from 1976 to 1990 for each country. The results suggest that income, technological change, and inflation have a significant impact on national health care expenditures.
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Date Issued: 1994
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15109
Subject Headings: Medical care, Cost of, Medical care--Cost control, Medical economics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Improved methods in collecting and modeling beam data for commissioning.
Creator: Smith, Cindy, Bacala, Angelina, Graduate College
Date Issued: 2013-04-12
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361960
Subject Headings: Medical physics, Stereotactic techniques, Radiation therapy
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Why Nonlinear Biomedical Physics?.
Creator: Czernicki, Zbigniew, Klonowski, Wlodzimierz, Liebovitch, Larry S.
Date Issued: 2007-07-05
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3327084
Subject Headings: Biophysics, Medical physics, Nonlinear science, Biomedical engineering
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Personal health record system and integration techniques with various electronic medical record systems.
Creator: Ved, Vishesh., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: In order to improve the quality of care, there is urgent need to involve patients in their own healthcare. So to make patient centered health care system Personal Health Records are proposed as viable solution. This research discusses the importance of a Patient Centric Health Record system. Such systems can empower patients to participate in improving health care quality. It would also provide an economically viable solution to the need for better healthcare without escalating costs by...
Show moreIn order to improve the quality of care, there is urgent need to involve patients in their own healthcare. So to make patient centered health care system Personal Health Records are proposed as viable solution. This research discusses the importance of a Patient Centric Health Record system. Such systems can empower patients to participate in improving health care quality. It would also provide an economically viable solution to the need for better healthcare without escalating costs by avoiding duplication. The proposed system is Web-based; therefore it has high accessibility and availability. The cloud computing based architecture is used which will allow consumers to address the challenge of sharing medical data. PHR would provide a complete and accurate summary of the health and medical history of an individual by gathering data from many sources. This would make information accessible online to anyone who has the necessary electronic credentials to view the information.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1930491
Subject Headings: Medical records, Data processing, Management, Medical informatics, Information storage and retrieval systems, Medical care, Medical care, Quality control, Personal information management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF COMPETENCIES OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF THE RADIATION ACCIDENT VICTIM.
Creator: BERGER, MARY ELLEN, Florida Atlantic University, Weppner, Daniel B.
Abstract/Description: A preliminary list of ten competency and forty-six sub-competency statements derived from literature and consultation with experts and based on the general areas of clinical performance defined by the National Board of Medical Examiners were the concern of Phase I of this study. Forty-eight experts in nuclear medicine, radiology, radiotherapy, health physics, medical physics, radiation biology, public and occupational health, surgery, and emergency medicine and nursing considered this...
Show moreA preliminary list of ten competency and forty-six sub-competency statements derived from literature and consultation with experts and based on the general areas of clinical performance defined by the National Board of Medical Examiners were the concern of Phase I of this study. Forty-eight experts in nuclear medicine, radiology, radiotherapy, health physics, medical physics, radiation biology, public and occupational health, surgery, and emergency medicine and nursing considered this preliminary list of competencies and sub-competencies to determine which were essential for health professionals who may be caring for radiation accident victims in hospital emergency departments. These experts responded to a questionnaire on which they rated each competency and sub-competency as Essential, Supplemental, or Non-essential for emergency care of the radiation accident victim. A scoring system was utilized that facilitated consideration of each consultant's rating. Eight competencies and thirty-three sub-competencies were rated as Essential competencies. Competencies dealing with establishing priorities in patient care and initiating treatment, assessment, contamination control, and decontamination were highly rated. They were followed closely by competencies in referral, psychological care and legal, ethical and public health responsibilities. Competencies in health physics vocabulary and background knowledge of radiation biology were given lower ratings and were placed on a list of Supplemental competencies. In the second part of this study, the Essential competencies were utilized in the development of an original evaluation instrument designed to identify deficiencies and continuing education needs during radiation accident drills or exercises. Evaluation criteria based on the Essential competencies were divided into three time frames: the preparatory period, the treatment period, and the post-emergency period. Criteria adaptations were used to evaluate competence during the treatment period in order to facilitate a more objective evaluation. The instrument was designed for use in sixteen possible patient care situations in which the radiation accident victims have varying medical and radiological conditions. Development of the evaluation instrument was described.
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Date Issued: 1982
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11797
Subject Headings: Emergency medical services, Hospitals--Emergency services
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Homeless mothers' perceptions of their experience of receiving nursing care.
Creator: Moore, Vivian Soeder., Florida Atlantic University, Appleton, Cathy
Abstract/Description: This research study is a description of the experience of receiving nursing care for homeless mothers. Nine homeless mothers, who described their experience of receiving nursing care, were selected as participants. Using a phenomenological approach to guide the inquiry, narrative descriptions were generated from interviews with each participant. The homeless mothers' experience of receiving nursing care is described in two essential descriptive themes: (1) being homeless, and (2) receiving...
Show moreThis research study is a description of the experience of receiving nursing care for homeless mothers. Nine homeless mothers, who described their experience of receiving nursing care, were selected as participants. Using a phenomenological approach to guide the inquiry, narrative descriptions were generated from interviews with each participant. The homeless mothers' experience of receiving nursing care is described in two essential descriptive themes: (1) being homeless, and (2) receiving nursing care. The implications of these mothers' experience for nursing education, practice, and research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 1993
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14967
Subject Headings: Nursing assessment, Homeless women--Medical care
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Older Adults’ Perception of Relational Empathy in their Healthcare Provider and its Relationship to Medication Adherence.
Creator: Manresa, Beth, Cooley, Morgan, Florida Atlantic University, School of Social Work, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to explore older adults’ perception of relational empathy in their healthcare providers and its relationship to medication adherence. In addition, the study examined whether older adults’ perception of relational empathy in their healthcare providers was associated with medication adherence, beyond predictive factors including medication beliefs, gender, and level of education. The sample consisted of 72 participants in a community-based program in an adult day...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to explore older adults’ perception of relational empathy in their healthcare providers and its relationship to medication adherence. In addition, the study examined whether older adults’ perception of relational empathy in their healthcare providers was associated with medication adherence, beyond predictive factors including medication beliefs, gender, and level of education. The sample consisted of 72 participants in a community-based program in an adult day center setting in South Florida. Correlation and linear regression analysis were used to test the two research questions. The results indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between older adults’ perception of relational empathy in their healthcare provider and medication adherence (p = .344) and no significant predictor variables of change in medication adherence, with all p values in the regression model greater than .202. Although present study findings were inconclusive in supporting the association between relational empathy and medication adherence, secondary findings or considerations related to the low perception of relational empathy with healthcare providers and moderately low medication adherence provided a context for a thoughtful consideration of the implications of this study. Ideas for designing future research initiatives, specifically initiatives that promote a framework for understanding and practice of empathy during the clinical encounters with older adults are also discussed.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014142
Subject Headings: Empathy, Nursing, Medication Adherence, Older adults
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: AN ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK TO ASSESS LIPOSUCTION OUTCOMES.
Creator: Patel, Kaivan, Pandya, Abhijit, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Liposuction is a common invasive procedure. Liposuction is performed for cosmetic and non-cosmetic reasons. Its use in regenerative medicine has been increasing. Its invasive nature renders it to have complications which can cause limitations in patients' recovery and patient lives. This thesis’s aim is to create an analytical framework to assess the liposuction procedure and its outcomes. The fundamental requirement to create this framework is to have a complete understanding of the...
Show moreLiposuction is a common invasive procedure. Liposuction is performed for cosmetic and non-cosmetic reasons. Its use in regenerative medicine has been increasing. Its invasive nature renders it to have complications which can cause limitations in patients' recovery and patient lives. This thesis’s aim is to create an analytical framework to assess the liposuction procedure and its outcomes. The fundamental requirement to create this framework is to have a complete understanding of the procedure which includes preparation and planning of the procedure, correctly performing the procedure and ensuring patient safety on day 0, week 2, week 4, and week 12 of the procedure. 54 patient’s liposuction outcomes were followed till week 12. Data collection is the first part of the framework, which involves understanding the complex surgical outcomes. Algorithms that have been previously studied to assess morbidities and mortalities have been used in this framework to assess if they can assess liposuction outcomes. In this framework algorithms like decision tree, XG boost, random forest, support vector classifier, k nearest neighbor, k means, k fold validation have been used. XG boost performed best to assess liposuction outcomes without validation. However, after cross validation other algorithms which are random forest, support vector machine and KNN classifier outperformed XG boost. This framework allows to assess liposuction outcomes based on the performance of the algorithms. In future, researchers can use this framework to assess liposuction as well as other surgical outcome.
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Date Issued: 2024
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014429
Subject Headings: Liposuction, Outcome assessment (Medical care), Surgery, Algorithms
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: EVALUATION OF DOSE DISTRIBUTION AND SECONDARY PARTICLE DYNAMICS USING MONTE CARLO SIMULATION IN PROTON THERAPY.
Creator: Ibrahim, Shreen, Muhammad, Wazir, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Physics, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: This study presents two significant investigations in the field of proton therapy, leveraging advanced Monte Carlo simulations to improve our understanding and modeling of proton beam characteristics and secondary particle dynamics. The first investigation centers on the development and validation of a Monte Carlo model tailored for the single-room Varian ProBeam pencil beam scanning system. The study begins with an in-depth simulation analysis to justify the selection of the "g4h-phy_QGSP...
Show moreThis study presents two significant investigations in the field of proton therapy, leveraging advanced Monte Carlo simulations to improve our understanding and modeling of proton beam characteristics and secondary particle dynamics. The first investigation centers on the development and validation of a Monte Carlo model tailored for the single-room Varian ProBeam pencil beam scanning system. The study begins with an in-depth simulation analysis to justify the selection of the "g4h-phy_QGSP_FTFP_BERT" physics list configuration for our TOPASSFPTI model, developed using the TOPAS 3.9 tool with a Geant4 base, version 10.07.p03. Comprehensive verification against clinical measurements in a water phantom demonstrated the accuracy of the model. A comparative analysis between the TOPASSFPTI model and a previously published TOPAS model for the Varian ProBeam system at Emory Proton Therapy Center (TOPASEmory) revealed distinct differences in the beam characteristics. Notably, the TOPASSFPTI model exhibited a closer alignment with the specific beam characterization at SFPTI, showing a strong consistency in beam energy spread (σE) and integrated depth dose distributions (IDDs), with a 98-100% agreement under 2%/2 mm γ-index criteria. Differences in lateral spot sizes were observed, with the TOPASSFPTI model showing slightly larger spot sizes compared to TOPASEmory, which aligns more closely with SFPTI’s clinical setup. Additionally, the calibration of absolute dose values indicated significant differences in the number of protons per monitor unit (MU) between the TOPASSFPTI and the clinical treatment planning system (TPS) data, with the TOPASSFPTI model consistently showing higher values.
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Date Issued: 2024
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014529
Subject Headings: Proton Therapy, Monte Carlo method, Medical physics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Dosimetric comparison of inverse planning by simulated annealing (IPSA) and dose points optimized treatment plans in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy of skin lesions using Freiburg flap applicator.
Creator: Ghebremichael, Bereket Tewolde, Ouhib, Zoubir, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: A detailed dosimetric comparison between Inverse Planning by Simulated Annealing (IPSA) and Dose Points (DP) optimized treatment plans has been performed for High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy of skin lesions using Freiburg Flap applicator in order to find out whether or not IPSA offers better clinical dosimetric outcomes for lesions categorized into four different curvatures. Without compromising target coverage, IPSA reduced the volume of Planning Target Volume (lesion) that received at...
Show moreA detailed dosimetric comparison between Inverse Planning by Simulated Annealing (IPSA) and Dose Points (DP) optimized treatment plans has been performed for High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy of skin lesions using Freiburg Flap applicator in order to find out whether or not IPSA offers better clinical dosimetric outcomes for lesions categorized into four different curvatures. Without compromising target coverage, IPSA reduced the volume of Planning Target Volume (lesion) that received at least 125% of the prescription dose on average by 41%. It also reduced the volume of the healthy skin surrounding the lesion that receives at least 100% of the prescription dose on average by 42%. IPSA did not show any advantage over DP in sparing normal structures underlying the lesions treated. Although DP optimization algorithm has been regularly used at Lynn Cancer Institute for HDR brachytherapy of skin lesions, recent upgrades in IPSA software have made IPSA more amenable to rapid treatment planning and therefore IPSA can be used either in place of DP or as its alternative.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004285
Subject Headings: Artificial intelligence -- Medical applications, Cancer -- Treatment, Computational intellingence, Imaging systems in medicine, Medical physics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Predicting hospital readmissions in patients with diabetes: the importance of diabetes education and other factors.
Creator: Asper, Darwin E., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The objective of this study was to determine whether 11 independent variables or combinations of variables help to predict a diabetes-related hospital readmission for patients with diabetes within 60 days from discharge. The variables were categorized into four main groups: (a) patient characteristics, (b) lifestyle, (c) biomarkers, and (d) disease management aspects. A convenience sample of 389 historical medical records of patients who were admitted to a rural hospital in northeastern North...
Show moreThe objective of this study was to determine whether 11 independent variables or combinations of variables help to predict a diabetes-related hospital readmission for patients with diabetes within 60 days from discharge. The variables were categorized into four main groups: (a) patient characteristics, (b) lifestyle, (c) biomarkers, and (d) disease management aspects. A convenience sample of 389 historical medical records of patients who were admitted to a rural hospital in northeastern North Carolina with a diagnosis of, or relating to, diabetes was studied. After comparing predictive discriminant analysis (PDA) and logistic regression (LR), PDA performed better and was chosen to analyze a convenience sample of patients admitted to the hospital for a diabetes-related diagnosis from January, 2004 to December, 2006. The best overall subset accurately classified 27 cases with six predictors that included (a) systolic blood pressure, (b) smoking status, (c) blood glucose range, (d) ethnicity, (e) diabetes education, and (f) diastolic blood pressure. In an effort to simplify the prediction process, the subsets of two predictors were examined. The results of the analysis returned four subsets of 2-predictor variable combinations that correctly classified cases for readmission. Each of the four subsets has two predictors that are statistically and practically significant for predicting readmissions for a diabetes-related problem within fewer than 60 days. These combinations are the predictor subsets of (a) smoking status and being treated by a specialist or non-specialist physician, (b) a religious affiliation or a lack thereof and smoking status, (c) gender and smoking status, and (d) smoking status and ethnicity.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/221947
Subject Headings: Outcome assessment (Medical care), Methodology, Medical care, Evaluation, Health services accessibility, Management, Patient education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An integrated framework for home healthcare delivery.
Creator: Conaster, Mark., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: With the increasing demands of rising medical costs in combination with a boom in elderly patients in need of quality patient care medical practices are being stressed. Patient to nurse ratios are increasing and government spending in the medical domain is at an all-time high threatening the futures of government medical programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. In this thesis we propose a framework for the monitoring of a patient's vital statistics in a home-based setting using a mobile smart...
Show moreWith the increasing demands of rising medical costs in combination with a boom in elderly patients in need of quality patient care medical practices are being stressed. Patient to nurse ratios are increasing and government spending in the medical domain is at an all-time high threatening the futures of government medical programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. In this thesis we propose a framework for the monitoring of a patient's vital statistics in a home-based setting using a mobile smart device. We believe that in taking advantage of the wireless sensor technology which is readily available today we can provide a solution that is both economically and socially viable offering a solid quality of healthcare in a comfortable and familiar environment. Our framework exposes both 802.11 and Bluetooth wireless protocol transmitting medical sensor devices using an Android platform device as a monitoring hub.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3174510
Subject Headings: Home care services, Technological innovations, Telecommunication in medicine, Internet in medicine, Medical informatics, Medical telematics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Risk-evaluation in clinical diagnostic studies: ascertaining statistical bounds via logistic regression of medical informatics data.
Creator: Dupont, Alice Norm., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: The efforts addressed in this thesis refer to applying nonlinear risk predictive techniques based on logistic regression to medical diagnostic test data. This study is motivated and pursued to address the following: 1. To extend logistic regression model of biostatistics to medical informatics 2. Computational preemptive and predictive testing to determine the probability of occurrence (p) of an event by fitting a data set to a (logit function) logistic curve: Finding upper and lower bounds...
Show moreThe efforts addressed in this thesis refer to applying nonlinear risk predictive techniques based on logistic regression to medical diagnostic test data. This study is motivated and pursued to address the following: 1. To extend logistic regression model of biostatistics to medical informatics 2. Computational preemptive and predictive testing to determine the probability of occurrence (p) of an event by fitting a data set to a (logit function) logistic curve: Finding upper and lower bounds on p based on stochastical considerations 3. Using the model developed on available (clinical) data to illustrate the bounds-limited performance of the prediction. Relevant analytical methods, computational efforts and simulated results are presented. Using the results compiled, the risk evaluation in medical diagnostics is discussed with real-world examples. Conclusions are enumerated and inferences are made with directions for future studies.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3332187
Subject Headings: Medical informatics, Clinical medicine, Decision making, Data processing, Medical protocols, Medicine, Research, Statistical methods
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An empirical analysis of factors influencing organizational cultural competence within emergency medical services systems.
Creator: Diggs, Schnequa, Thai, Khi V., Florida Atlantic University, College of Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
Abstract/Description: This dissertation examines factors with influence on the organizational cultural competence of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems. The purpose of this study was to draw on theories of representative bureaucracy and transformational leadership to assess cultural competence in Emergency Medical Services systems from the perspective of EMS leadership, within careful consideration of the external environment in which EMS systems operate.
Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004439, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004439
Subject Headings: Emergency medical personnel -- Training of, Emergency medical services -- Management, Organizational effectiveness, Outcome assessment (Medical care), Transformational leadership
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (122)	+ -
Honors Student Theses (3)	+ -
FAU College Collections (1)	+ -
FAU Graduate Student Research (1)	+ -
FAU Undergraduate Student Research (1)	+ -

Medical physics (15)	+ -
Outcome assessment (Medical care) (15)	+ -
Medical care (13)	+ -
Medical informatics (13)	+ -
Nursing (9)	+ -

Medical genetics (7)	+ -
Medical anthropology (6)	+ -
Nurse and patient (6)	+ -
Quality control (5)	+ -
Diagnosis (4)	+ -
Health services accessibility (4)	+ -
Imaging systems in medicine (4)	+ -
Medical physics. (4)	+ -
Medical policy (4)	+ -
Medical telematics (4)	+ -
Nursing assessment (4)	+ -
Psychological aspects (4)	+ -
Research (4)	+ -
Alternative medicine (3)	+ -
Apoptosis (3)	+ -
Apoptosis--Molecular aspects (3)	+ -
Cancer (3)	+ -
Data processing (3)	+ -
Decision making (3)	+ -
Emergency medical services (3)	+ -
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