The research focuses on the examination of existing data sets. Research involving human subjects is outside the scope of the capstone project.

In order to differentiate between research involving human subjects and the examination of data sets, visit the Institutional Review Board (IRB)Links to an external site. to learn about the protection of human subjects and the applicable policies as well as the regulations governing human subjects research.

To save time in the process of topic selection, ensure that you understand the limits of the capstone course. For example, you cannot administer a survey to or interview staff and patients. As an alternative, and with permission, you could examine existing data that the organization has already gathered relating to the problem or issue. One application of this might be employee satisfaction. Most organizations conduct periodic employee satisfaction surveys. You could request to review and summarize survey results as they relate to two or three problem areas, conduct a literature review, and propose solutions.

Review the topic headings in the MHA5020 Reading ListLinks to an external site.. This will be helpful for identifying useful resources as you select a topic for your data analysis project. It may also help you gain more granularity on a subtopic for enhanced knowledge, locate a useful tool for quality measurement or compliance audits, et cetera.

Asking About HIPAA Training

You must inquire about the completion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 training that may be required by your employer or your selected organization.

You may also visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website, Health Information Privacy, available via the following resource to learn more about the HIPAA Act of 1996 and how it applies to you.

Looking Ahead

Throughout this capstone course, you are required to turn in five assignments, specifically in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

If you have not done so already, take some time to read through these assignments to understand what is required of you.

Reminder

The actual capstone experience includes one meeting (phone, web conference, or on-site) with a practicing healthcare professional within a selected healthcare organization to confirm the topic and the method for analysis of the issue, as well as any related details. Details may include how to access data, defining one’s role as a temporary volunteer, the possibility of completing a short HIPAA orientation online, and so forth. Each organization will have specific structures within which you will work.

Learners with healthcare experience or who are actively employed within a healthcare organization should feel free to utilize this capstone experience as an opportunity to showcase their healthcare leadership competencies. Learners who are employed in a healthcare organization typically work within their employer organization due to ease of access and the opportunity to add value to the organization.

Existing data may be found within the public domain (such as government or accrediting body websites) or within your selected organization. You will request permission to view existing organizational data, and you must include a statement that you will uphold confidentiality regarding any proprietary information.

Assignment Readings

Stress not only affects the structure and function of the brain, but its genetic makeup as well. In this module you were introduced to the various effects stress has on each body system, including the reproductive system. New research suggests that experiencing intense psychological trauma may have a genetic impact on a person’s future children. In the following video, Dr. Rachel Yehuda studied the genetic effects in a population of Holocaust survivors and found variations from the norm in both generations for the gene associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings imply that children of individuals who experience profound stress in life may be more likely to develop stress or anxiety disorders themselves.

Can Trauma Be Passed to the Next Generation Through DNA?
 PBS Learning Media. Accessed at
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/e9a3377e-ef0d-4815-8f25-166daa4d3114/can-trauma-be-passed-to-the-next-generation-through-dna/#.WZeOTNGQyM8

Answer the following questions in essay format. For additional details, see the Case Assignment directions below.

How does experiencing trauma affect a person’s life?

Describe the term epigenetics. How does stress play a role in epigenetics?

Describe an event in history that could have caused stress-related changes to the next generation (some examples include the Holocaust, 9-11 terrorist attack, the Dutch famine of 1944). Include the disorders these children experienced (such as anxiety, depression, mental disorders, etc).

Why might it be helpful to know how children will be affected by trauma their parents experienced?

What kinds of events going on in the world right now could be producing similar effects in future generations?

Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question 1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: Effects of Trauma.

Answer each question under the subtitle using complete sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-pt font, and double spacing throughout. Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations within the body of the essay referencing your resources (i.e., Murray, 2014). Also, be sure to include a reference section at the end of your assignment listing all required readings and any additional resources you used to complete your essay.

M.H.M. Reul, J., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M., Collins, A., & F. Trollope, A. (2012). 

Epigenetics of stress
. 
Epigenetics of lifestyle (pp. 70-89). BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS. 

https://doi.org/10.2174/978160805299811201010070. 

Chapter 3 Epigenetics of Stress
Chapter 5 Epigenetics of Nutrition

OpenStax College, Chapter 14. Stress and Illness

Publishing, H. H. (n.d.). Uncovering the link between emotional stress and heart disease. Retrieved September 28, 2017, from
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-disease-overview/uncovering-the-link-between-emotional-stress-and-heart-disease

Norris, J. (2011, February 03). Aging, Chronic Disease and Telomeres Are Linked in Recent Studies. Retrieved September 28, 2017, from
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/02/9353/aging-telomeres-linked-chronic-disease-and-health

Henderson, D. F., Nelson, D. L., & Quick, J. C. (2017). Social class, health, stress, and heart disease. In C. L. Cooper, & J. C. Quick (Eds.), The handbook of stress and health (pp. 630-645). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118993811.ch37

Chapter 2 Impact of Stress

Chapter 3 Personality

Choose two age groups from the following:

Infants

Toddlers

Preschoolers (ages 3-4)

Kindergarten (age 5-6)

Early Elementary (ages 6-8)

Older Elementary (ages 9-11)

Construct a list of 4 age-appropriate large motor physical activities or games for children for outdoor play. 

Two activities for each of the two age groups of your choosing.

Research various websites, articles, or books and locate physical outdoor activities or games for a specific grade level and age group of children.  

Each game or activity must have a cited source.  Try to be creative and innovative.  The game of “tag” probably doesn’t have a source (Who made up “tag”?)- but there are lots of forms of tag that are very creative.

Include objectives for each large motor activity or game

Hint: What are children learning by doing this activity or game?  (“just getting exercise” is not sufficient)

Use the Physical Education TEKS http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter116/index.htmlLinks to an external site.  as a source for what you would learn from an activity or game

Think about physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits – include benefits from at least two of these areas. 

Use the following format:

1. Each game or activity must have a cited source.  
2. Describe the large motor outdoor activity or game step-by-step so anyone could pick up the activity and use it.
3. **If the activity involves water, a safety tip MUST be included
4. Include objectives for each activity or game
5. Include one thing you would adjust in the activity for a child who has different physical abilities than a typical child of that age.

  

Based on your research, what you have learned from your readings in Comparative Approaches to Program Planning pertaining to the “when” and “which” questions, what ethical considerations will you face, or have you faced, as you craft your proposal for the final Research Proposal Project?

How have you addressed these ethical concerns?

What have you learned about ethical violations in your research this week and reading you have completed on your own?

Continuing in your role as a juvenile court probation officer and using the same client, Jennifer Scott, from the Week 2 assignment, examine ethical challenges that can impact supervision strategies by writing a 700 word advocacy letter that will be presented to the judge during a hearing on your client’s risk and needs. You may want to review her background again.

Specifically, your letter should do the following:

• Summarize your client’s situation and major risk factors.
• Identify 1 ethical challenge that affects your client.
• Apply 3 ethical strategies that will address the challenge.
• Examine the role you will have as an advocate.
• Discuss how advocacy can be used for this situation.
• Recommend actions that would lead to the desired change.