Publication and presentation roundup — March 2024
The latest scholarly work from the UNC School of Nursing
Carolina Nursing faculty, staff and students are actively sharing their research findings on critical health care topics through publications in academic journals and presentations at national and international conferences.
Take a look at the selection of publications and presentations below to learn more about how Carolina Nursing experts are advancing health for all by addressing the greatest health care challenges of our time.
Please note that the following list was compiled based on information submitted by our researchers and is categorized into presentations and publications.
Have a publication or presentation to share? School of Nursing faculty, students and staff can submit publications and presentations here to be included in the next roundup.
Publications
A Retrospective Analysis of Early 20th Century Asylum Records of Patients with Dementia Praecox
Did socio-demographic factors influence outcomes for patients admitted to insane asylums 100 years ago? This is the question that Rose Mary Xavier, PhD, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, and colleagues, including Brandy Reardon, PhD, RN, pursued in their study, now published in the journal “Issues in Mental Health Nursing.”
Using archived records of patients admitted to Dorothea Dix Hospital (the oldest psychiatric facility in North Carolina) between the years 1896-1917, Dr. Xavier and the team empirically examined the factors that influenced patient length of stay and discharge disposition. They observed that women had a higher likelihood of dying in the facility rather than receiving discharge. Marital status was found to predict the length of stay in the asylum. The authors state, “Across the century, protective factors in schizophrenia recovery have remained consistent and are rooted in familial/social support. Gender disparities in schizophrenia persist despite substantial societal and scientific progress.”
Stephanie Betancur, BSN, RN, Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN, and collegues conducted a scoping review published online on March 7, 2024, in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, examining the role of Environmental Services (EVS) workers in hospitals regarding chemical exposures and associated health outcomes.
The review underscores the need for longitudinal studies and self-reported data collection methods to comprehensively assess exposure risks. Key findings highlight elevated oxidative stress and inflammation among EVS workers, especially those exposed to cleaning agents. Limited research on antineoplastic drug exposure emphasizes the necessity for further investigation, focusing on EVS workers as the primary population of interest. Recommendations include promoting PPE use and safe handling practices and developing policies to enhance EVS worker safety. Future research should employ larger sample sizes and objective exposure assessments to develop effective interventions and policies that safeguard EVS workers from hazardous chemical exposure in hospital environments.
The Potential and Challenges of Genomics Informed Precision Care for Substance Use Disorders
In her article “The Potential and Challenges of Genomics Informed Precision Care for Substance Use Disorders,” published in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services in March 2024, Rose Mary Xavier, PhD, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, discusses the complexities of substance use disorders (SUDs) and the role of genetics in their development. Xavier highlights the importance of understanding the genetic factors contributing to SUD risk and suggests that such insights could pave the way for precision care strategies, including targeted prevention and early intervention measures. She emphasizes the pivotal role of nurses in advancing genomics-informed care for individuals with SUDs, stressing the need for nurses to be well-equipped to assess and integrate genomic knowledge into clinical practice, education, research, and health policy effectively.