Brief Bio

Dr. McConnell is Director of the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Education (CoE-GNE) and Lead Faculty for the gerontology specialties (Adult NP-Gerontology and Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist) in the MSN Program. She has a joint appointment at the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where she is both clinical nurse specialist and nurse scientist. Dr. McConnell is also a Senior Fellow at the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.

She earned her Master's in Nursing at Duke University and her PhD in Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. McConnell's academic interests include frailty in the aged, the role of the physical environment in promoting function, and implementation of evidence-based practices in care of older adults. Her research identifies factors that influence functional decline in very frail older adults, with a particular interest in improving care for older adults with cognitive impairment.

Dr. McConnell received a Fulbright Specialists grant in public and global health for an educational partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Nursing in Mona, Jamaica. As a Fulbright Senior Specialist, McConnell is assisting with faculty and curriculum development and refinement of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP) geriatric advanced practice nursing programs at UWI-Mona. She is also providing consultation on clinical practice sites.

Academic Program Affiliations

PhD in Nursing Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Master of Science in Nursing Program

Education

PhD	University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Nursing
MSN	Duke University School of Nursing
BSN	Duke University School of Nursing

Professional Certifications

GCBS, BC

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontological Nursing

Research Interests

Dr. McConnell's research interests include frailty in the aged, the role of the physical environment in promoting function, and the conduct and testing of interventions to prevent decline in those with chronic illness. Her current program of research focuses on factors that influence implementation of evidence-based care practices to prevent functional decline in very frail older adults.

Awards and Honors

• 2014 Selected participant, Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy (GNLA) Cohort IV, Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy

• 2013 Distinguished Alumna Award, Duke University School of Nursing

• 2010 Fulbright Senior Specialist Grantee

• 2007 Congressional Medallion, Distinguished Practitioner in Nursing

• 2007 Ewald W. Busse Award, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division on Aging and Adult Services

• 2007 Inducted, National Academy of Practice in Nursing

• 2000 Administrator’s Award for Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center

• 1996 Outstanding Dissertation Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Alpha Chapter, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

• 1991 National Research Service Award: Pre-Doctoral Study, National Institute for Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health

• 1990 Merit Assistantship, Graduate School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• 1985 Gerontological Nurse of the Year Award, North Carolina Nurses Association

• 1976 Sidney Aaronson Award (Scholastic Achievement), Duke University School of Nursing

• 1975 Inducted, Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing

Areas of Expertise

• Gerontology
• Translational Research

Areas of Interest

• • Interprofessional education
• • Care of older adults with cognitive impairment
• • Diffusion of Innovation

Representative Publications

• 2015 -- Corazzini, K. N., Vogelsmeier, A., McConnell, E. S., Day, L., Kennerly, S., Mueller, C., Flanagan, J. T., Hawkins, K., Anderson, R. A. Perceptions of nursing practice: capacity for high-quality nursing home care Journal of Nursing Regulation. October, 2015; 6(3); 17-24

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 24451896 Corazzini, K., Twersky, J., White, H. K., Buhr, G. T., McConnell, E. S., Weiner, M., Colón-Emeric, C. S. Implementing Culture Change in Nursing Homes: An Adaptive Leadership Framework. Gerontologist. August, 2015; 55(4); 616-27 PMCID: PMC4542586

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 26185155 Karel, M. J., Teri, L., McConnell, E., Visnic, S., Karlin, B. E. Effectiveness of Expanded Implementation of STAR-VA for Managing Dementia-Related Behaviors Among Veterans. Gerontologist. July, 2015;

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25800276 Lee, K. H., McConnell, E. S., Knafl, G. J., Algase, D. L. Pain and psychological well-being among people with dementia in long-term care. Pain Med. June, 2015; 16(6); 1083-9 PMCID: PMC4478238

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25647829 Anderson, R. A., Bailey Jr, D. E., Wu, B., Corazzini, K., McConnell, E. S., Thygeson, N. M., Docherty, S. L. Adaptive leadership framework for chronic illness: framing a research agenda for transforming care delivery. ANS Adv Nurs Sci. April-June, 2015; 38(2); 83-95 PMCID: PMC4417005

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25856452 De Gagne, J. C., Park, S., So, A., Wu, B., Palmer, M. H., McConnell, E. S. A urinary incontinence continuing education online course for community health nurses in South Korea. J Contin Educ Nurs. April, 2015; 46(4); 171-8

• 2015 -- De Gagne, J. C., So, A., Wu, B., Palmer, M. H., McConnell, E. S. The effect of a urinary incontinence self-management program for older women in South Korea: A pilot study International Journal of Nursing Sciences. March, 2015; 2(1); 39-46

• 2014 -- Pubmed # 25237882 McConnell, E. S. Improving dementia care through behavioral interventions. N C Med J. September/October, 2014; 75(5); 355-8

• 2014 -- Day, L., Turner, K., Anderson, R. A., Mueller, C., McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N. Teaching Delegation to RN Students. Journal of Nursing Regulation. July, 2014; 5(2); 10-15

• 2014 -- Pubmed # 24802165 Pavon, J. M., Zhao, Y., McConnell, E., Hastings, S. N. Identifying risk of readmission in hospitalized elderly adults through inpatient medication exposure. J Am Geriatr Soc. June, 2014; 62(6); 1116-21

• 2014 -- Buhr, G. T., Konrad, T., Pinheiro, S., Pruitt, J., Poer, C., Shock, L., Yanamadala, M., Bailey, D., White, H. K., Devarayasamudram, S., Day, L., Aselage, M., Egerton, E. O., Matters, L., McConnell, E., Heflin, M. T. An interprofessional education collaborative (IPEC) competency-focused workshop to enhance team performance. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. March, 2014; 15(3); B10–B11

• 2014 -- Pubmed # 24279889 Heflin, M. T., Pinheiro, S. O., Konrad, T. R., Egerton, E. O., Thornlow, D. K., White, H. K., McConnell, E. S. Design and evaluation of a prelicensure interprofessional course on improving care transitions. Gerontol Geriatr Educ. 2014; 35(1); 41-63

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 24279686 Colon-Emeric, C. S., McConnell, E., Pinheiro, S. O., Corazzini, K., Porter, K., Earp, K. M., Landerman, L., Beales, J., Lipscomb, J., Hancock, K., Anderson, R. A. CONNECT for better fall prevention in nursing homes: results from a pilot intervention study. J Am Geriatr Soc. December, 2013; 61(12); 2150-9 PMCID: PMC3965191

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 25383063 Corazzini, K. N., Anderson, R. A., Day, L., McConnell, E. S., Mueller, C., McKinney, S. H. When a situation is "not black or white": Using adaptive leadership to address complex challenges in nursing home care. Director. Fall, 2013; 21(4); 34-37 PMCID: PMC4220552

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23995465 Corazzini, K. N., Anderson, R. A., Mueller, C., Thorpe, J. M., McConnell, E. S. Licensed practical nurse scope of practice and quality of nursing home care. Nurs Res. Sept.-Oct., 2013; 62(5); 315-24

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 24170636 Hendrix, C., Tepfer, S., Forest, S., Ziegler, K., Fox, V., Stein, J., McConnell, E. S., Hastings, S. N., Schmader, K., Colon-Emeric, C. Transitional Care Partners: A hospital-to-home support for older adults and their caregivers. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. August, 2013; 25(8); 407-14

• 2013 -- McConnell, E. S., Matters, L., Bunn, M., Egerton, E., Welch, A., Summner, T., Devarayshamudram, S., Mitchell, M., Carthron, D., Day, L., Corazzini, K. Creating a "world without woe" for people who have dementia: A Grand Challenge approach. The Director. Summer, 2013; 21(3); 22-26

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23817279 Lee, K. H., Algase, D. L., McConnell, E. S. Daytime observed emotional expressions of people with dementia. Nurs Res. Jul-Aug, 2013; 62(4); 218-25

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23704219 Colón-Emeric, C. S., Pinheiro, S. O., Anderson, R. A., Porter, K., McConnell, E., Corazzini, K., Hancock, K., Lipscomb, J., Beales, J., Simpson, K. M. Connecting the Learners: Improving Uptake of a Nursing Home Educational Program by Focusing on Staff Interactions. Gerontologist. May, 2013;

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23629815 Lee, K. H., Algase, D. L., McConnell, E. S. Relationship between observable emotional expression and wandering behavior of people with dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. April, 2013;

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23623522 White, H. K., Buhr, G., McConnell, E., Sullivan Jr, R. J., Twersky, J., Colon-Emeric, C., Heflin, M., Cutson, T. M., Logan, W., Lyles, K., Pinheiro, S. O. An Advanced Course in Long Term Care for Geriatric Medicine Fellows. J Am Med Dir Assoc. April, 2013;

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23619914 Whitson, H. E., Whitaker, D., Potter, G., McConnell, E., Tripp, F., Sanders, L. L., Muir, K. W., Cohen, H. J., Cousins, S. W. A Low-Vision Rehabilitation Program for Patients With Mild Cognitive Deficits. JAMA Ophthalmol. April, 2013; 1-8

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23496191 Downey, C. L., Heflin, M., McConnell, E., Patton, L. L., Afshari, H. The tipping point: prolonged hospital course as a result of dental infection in a nonagenarian. J Am Geriatr Soc. March, 2013; 61(3); 472-3

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23281623 Simpson, K. M., Porter, K., McConnell, E. S., Colón-Emeric, C., Daily, K. A., Stalzer, A., Anderson, R. A. Tool for evaluating research implementation challenges: A sense-making protocol for addressing implementation challenges in complex research settings. Implement Sci. January 2, 2013; 8(1); 2

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 22824910 Madden-Baer, R., McConnell, E., Rosati, R. J., Rosenfeld, P., Edison, I. Implementation and evaluation of a depression care model for homebound elderly. J Nurs Care Qual. Jan.-March 2013; 28(1); 33-42

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 21702425 McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N., Lekan, D., Bailey, D. E., Sloane, R., Landerman, L. R., Champagne, M. T. Diffusion of innovations in long-term care measurement battery. Res Gerontol Nurs. Winter, 2012; 5(1); 64-76

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 23126548 Whitson, H. E., Whitaker, D., Sanders, L. L., Potter, G. G., Cousins, S. W., Ansah, D., McConnell, E., Pieper, C. F., Landerman, L., Steffens, D. C., Cohen, H. J. Memory deficit associated with worse functional trajectories in older adults in low-vision rehabilitation for macular disease. J Am Geriatr Soc. November, 2012; 60(11); 2087-92

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22929379 Toles, M., Barroso, J., Colón-Emeric, C., Corazzini, K., McConnell, E., Anderson, R. A. Staff interaction strategies that optimize delivery of transitional care in a skilled nursing facility: a multiple case study. Fam Community Health. October, 2012; 35(4); 334-44

• 2012 -- Mueller, C., Anderson, R. A., McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N. Licensed nurse responsibilities in nursing homes: a scope of practice issue. Journal of Nursing Regulation. April, 2012; 3(1); 1-8

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22316015 White, H. K., Corazzini, K., Twersky, J., Buhr, G., McConnell, E., Weiner, M., Colón-Emeric, C. S. Prioritizing culture change in nursing homes: perspectives of residents, staff, and family members. J Am Geriatr Soc. March, 2012; 60(3); 525-31

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 21216555 Horney, C., Schmader, K., Sanders, L. L., Heflin, M., Ragsdale, L., McConnell, E., Hocker, M., Hastings, S. N. Health care utilization before and after an outpatient ED visit in older people. Am J Emerg Med. January, 2012; 30(1); 135-42 PMCID: PMC3136637

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22211755 Powell, D. L., Price, A. J., Burns, F. A., McConnell, E. S., Hendrix, C. C., McWhinney-Dehaney, L., Lombardi, M. M. Pillars for the Care of Older Persons in the Caribbean. Public Health Nurs. January, 2012; 29(1); 80-90

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22166907 Corazzini, K. N., Anderson, R. A., Mueller, C., Thorpe, J. M., McConnell, E. S. Jurisdiction over nursing care systems in nursing homes: latent class analysis. Nurs Res. January, 2012; 61(1); 28-38

• 2011 -- Corazzini, K. N., Anderson, R. A., Mueller, C., McConnell, E. S., Landerman, L. R., Thorpe, J. M., Short, N. M. Regulation of LPN scope of practice in long-term care. Journal of Nursing Regulation. July, 2011; 2(2); 31-36

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21565590 Hendrix, C. C., Matters, L., West, Y., Stewart, B., McConnell, E. S. The Duke-NICHE Program: An academic-practice collaboration to enhance geriatric nursing care. Nurs Outlook. May-June, 2011; 59(3); 149-57

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 21234104 Hall, K. S., Sloane, R., Pieper, C. F., Peterson, M. J., Crowley, G. M., Cowper, P. A., McConnell, E. S., Bosworth, H. B., Ekelund, C. C., Morey, M. C. Long-term changes in physical activity following a one-year home-based physical activity counseling program in older adults with multiple morbidities. J Aging Res. December 26, 2010; 2011 308407 PMCID: PMC3014677

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20100666 Lekan, D., Hendrix, C. C., McConnell, E. S., White, H. The Connected Learning Model for disseminating evidence-based care practices in clinical settings. Nurse Educ Pract. July, 2010; 10(4); 243-8

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20387023 Hall, K. S., Crowley, G. M., McConnell, E. S., Bosworth, H. B., Sloane, R., Ekelund, C. C., Morey, M. C. Change in goal ratings as a mediating variable between self-efficacy and physical activity in older men. Ann Behav Med. June, 2010; 39(3); 267-73 PMCID: PMC2904848

• 2010 -- Corazzini, K. N., Anderson, R. A., Rapp, C. G., Mueller, C., McConnell, E., Lekan, D. Delegation in long-term care: Scope of practice or job description? Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. May, 2010; 15(2); Manuscript 4

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20481420 Egerton, E. O., McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K., Kitzmiller, R. R., Crook, J. O. Birds of a feather: introducing a virtual learning community for geriatric nurse educators. J Contin Educ Nurs. May, 2010; 41(5); 203-8; quiz 209-10

• 2010 -- McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N., Lekan, D., Bailey, D. C., Sloane, R., Zimmerman, S., Mitchell, C. M., Landerman, L. R., Champagne, M. T. Staff perception of new pain care practices in dementia care: Psychometric properties of the Duke Diffusion of Innovation in Long-Term Care Battery. Alzheimer’s Care Today. Apr.-Jun., 2010; 11(2); 122-133

• 2010 -- Corazzini, K. N., McConnell, E. S., Anderson, R. A., Reed, D., Champagne, M. T., Lekan, D., Preisser, J. S., Bailey, D., Zimmerman, S. The importance of organizational climate to training needs and outcomes in long-term care. Alzheimer’s Care Today. Apr.-Jun., 2010; 11(2); 109-121

• 2010 -- Zimmerman, S., Mitchell, C. M., Reed, D., Preisser, J. S., Fletcher, S., Beeber, A. S., Reed, P. S., Gould, E., Hughes, S., McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N., Lekan, D., Sloane, P. D. Outcomes of a dementia care training program for staff in nursing homes and residential care/assisted living settings. Alzheimer’s Care Today. Apr.-Jun., 2010; 11(2); 83-99

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20552768 McConnell, E. S., Lekan, D., Corazzini, K. N. Assuring the adequacy of staffing of long-term care, strengthening the caregiving workforce, and making long-term care a career destination of choice: from mission impossible to mission critical? N C Med J. Mar-Apr, 2010; 71(2); 153-7

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19467149 Morey, M. C., Peterson, M. J., Pieper, C. F., Sloane, R., Crowley, G. M., Cowper, P. A., McConnell, E. S., Bosworth, H. B., Ekelund, C. C., Pearson, M. P. The Veterans Learning to Improve Fitness and Function in Elders Study: a randomized trial of primary care-based physical activity counseling for older men. J Am Geriatr Soc. July 1, 2009; 57(7); 1166-74 PMCID: PMC2757328

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19182546 Corazzini, K., Rapp, C. G., McConnell, E. S., Anderson, R. A. Use of a handheld computer observational tool to improve communication for care planning and psychosocial well-being. J Nurses Staff Dev. 2009; 25(1); E1-7

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19452736 McConnell, E. S., Lekan, D., Bunn, M., Egerton, E., Corazzini, K. N., Hendrix, C. D., Bailey Jr, D. E. Teaching evidence-based nursing practice in geriatric care settings: The Geriatric Nursing Innovations through Education Institute. J Gerontol Nurs. April, 2009; 35(4); 26-33; quiz 34-5

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 18410318 Whitson, H. E., Hastings, S. N., Lekan, D. A., Sloane, R., White, H. K., McConnell, E. S. A quality improvement program to enhance after-hours telephone communication between nurses and physicians in a long-term care facility. J Am Geriatr Soc. June, 2008; 56(6); 1080-6

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 18350742 Anderson, R., McConnell, E., Gilliss, C. Tribute: Elizabeth C. Clipp, PhD, RN, FAAN. J Gerontol Nurs. 2008; 34(3); 7-9

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 18566924 Morey, M. C., Peterson, M. J., Pieper, C. F., Sloane, R., Crowley, G. M., Cowper, P., McConnell, E., Bosworth, H., Ekelund, C., Pearson, M., Howard, T. Project LIFE--Learning to Improve Fitness and Function in Elders: methods, design, and baseline characteristics of randomized trial. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2008; 45(1); 31-42

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 18081673 Hastings, S. N., Whitson, H. E., White, H. K., Sloane, R., MacDonald, H., Lekan, D. A., McConnell, E. S. After-hours calls from long-term care facilities in a geriatric medicine training program. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007; 55(12); 1989-94

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17386313 McConnell, E. S., Lekan, D., Hebert, C., Leatherwood, L. Academic-practice partnerships to promote evidence-based practice in long-term care: oral hygiene care practices as an exemplar. Nurs Outlook. 2007; 55(2); 95-105

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17349947 Hastings, S. N., Whitson, H. E., White, H. K., Sloane, R., MacDonald, H., Lekan-Rutledge, D. A., McConnell, E. S. Development and implementation of the TrAC (Tracking After-hours Calls) database: a tool to collect longitudinal data on after-hours telephone calls in long-term care. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2007; 8(3); 178-82

• 2007 -- McConnell, E. S. Box 4-3: Reflections on using nursing theory. In In Matteson and McConnell’s Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice (3rd Ed.) (3rd Ed.), edited by Linton, A. and Lach, H. 2007; pp. 85. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier, Inc..

• 2007 -- McConnell, E. S. Box 4-4: The Nagi Disablement Model. In In Matteson and McConnell’s Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice (3rd Ed.) (3rd Ed.), edited by Linton, A. D. and Lach, H. 2007; pp. 85. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences.

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16979082 Whitson, H. E., Hastings, S. N., McConnell, E. S., Lekan-Rutledge, D. A. Inter-disciplinary focus groups on telephone medicine: a quality improvement initiative. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2006; 7(7); 407-11

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16970651 Colón-Emeric, C., Schenck, A., Gorospe, J., McArdle, J., Dobson, L., Deporter, C., McConnell, E. Translating evidence-based falls prevention into clinical practice in nursing facilities: Results and lessons from a quality improvement collaborative. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006; 54(9); 1414-8 PMCID: PMC1839839

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 17090809 Morey, M. C., Ekelund, C., Pearson, M., Crowley, G., Peterson, M., Sloane, R., Pieper, C., McConnell, E., Bosworth, H. Project LIFE: a partnership to increase physical activity in elders with multiple chronic illnesses. J Aging Phys Act. 2006; 14(3); 324-43

• 2005 -- Pubmed # 15871887 Ouslander, J. G., Griffiths, P., McConnell, E., Riolo, L., Schnelle, J. Functional Incidental Training: applicability and feasibility in the Veterans Affairs nursing home patient population. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2005; 6(2); 121-7

• 2005 -- Pubmed # 16108924 Ouslander, J. G., Griffiths, P. C., McConnell, E., Riolo, L., Kutner, M., Schnelle, J. Functional incidental training: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial in Veterans Affairs nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005; 53(7); 1091-1100

• 2004 -- Pubmed # 15331081 Garman, K. S., McConnell, E. S., Cohen, H. J. Inpatient care for elderly cancer patients: the role for Geriatric Evaluation and Management Units in fulfilling goals for care. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2004; 51(3); 241-7

• 2004 -- Pubmed # 14984619 White, H. K., McConnell, E. S., Bales, C. W., Kuchibhatla, M. A 6-month observational study of the relationship between weight loss and behavioral symptoms in institutionalized Alzheimer's disease subjects. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2004; 5(2); 89-97

• 2004 -- Pubmed # 14974517 McConnell, E. S., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Nevidjon, B., Anderson, R. Complexity theory: a long-term care specialty practice exemplar for the education of advanced practice nurses. J Nurs Educ. 2004; 43(2); 84-7

• 2004 -- Corazzini, K., McConnell, E. S., Rapp, C. G., Anderson, R. A. A conceptual framework for understanding decision-making processes of nursing assistants in providing dementia care. Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly. July/September, 2004; 5(3); 197-206

• 2003 -- Pubmed # 12657987 McConnell, E. S., Branch, L. G., Sloane, R. J., Pieper, C. F. Natural history of change in physical function among long-stay nursing home residents. Nurs Res. 2003; 52(2); 119-26

• 2002 -- Pubmed # 12456736 McConnell, E. S., Pieper, C. F., Sloane, R. J., Branch, L. G. Effects of cognitive performance on change in physical function in long-stay nursing home residents. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002; 57(12); M778-84

• 2002 -- Pubmed # 12217089 White, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Branch, L. G., Sloane, R., Pieper, C., Box, T. L. A randomized controlled trial of the psychosocial impact of providing internet training and access to older adults. Aging Ment Health. 2002; 6(3); 213-21

• 2002 -- Connell, B.R., McConnell, E. S., Francis, T. Tailoring the environment of oral health care to the needs and abilities of nursing home residents with dementia. Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly. Winter, 2002; 3(1); 19-25

• 2002 -- McConnell, E.S. Geriatric nursing research digest: Essay review. Contemporary Gerontology. 2002; 8(4); 131-133

• 2002 -- Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S., Linton, A. D. [Eds.] Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice (Authorized Chinese translation) 2002; Singapore: Elsevier Science (Singapore) Pte. Ltd..

• 2001 -- Pubmed # 11915155 Culp, K., Mentes, J. C., McConnell, E. S. Studying acute confusion in long-term care: clinical investigation or secondary data analysis using the minimum data set? J Gerontol Nurs. 2001; 27(4); 41-8

• 2001 -- Pubmed # 11244674 Olson, D. M., Borel, C. O., Laskowitz, D. T., Moore, D. T., McConnell, E. S. Quiet time: a nursing intervention to promote sleep in neurocritical care units. Am J Crit Care. 2001; 10(2); 74-8

• 2000 -- Pubmed # 10798476 Connell, B. R., McConnell, E. S. Treating excess disability among cognitively impaired nursing home residents. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2000; 48(4); 454-5

• 1999 -- White, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Bynum, L., Teague C., Navas L., Craven S., Halbrecht H. Surfing the net in later life: A review of the literature and pilot study of computer use and quality of life. Journal of Applied Gerontology. September, 1999; 18(3); 358-378

• 1999 -- Pubmed # 10382922 Weiner, D., Peterson, B., Ladd, K., McConnell, E., Keefe, F. Pain in nursing home residents: An exploration of prevalence, staff perspectives, and practical aspects of measurement. Clin J Pain. 1999; 15(2); 92-101

• 1999 -- Pubmed # 10326921 Purser, J. L., Pieper, C. F., Duncan, P. W., Gold, D. T., McConnell, E. S., Schenkman, M. S., Morey, M. C., Branch, L. G. Reliability of physical performance tests in four different randomized clinical trials. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999; 80(5); 557-61

• 1997 -- Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S., Linton, A. D. [Eds.] Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice (2nd Ed.) Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co. 1997; Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co..

• 1997 -- McConnell, E. S. Conceptual bases for gerontological nursing practice: Models, trends, and issues. Chapter 1 in Matteson, M.A., McConnell, E.S. & Linton, A.D. (Eds.) In Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice, 2nd Ed. (2nd Ed.), edited by Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S., and Linton, A. D. 1997; pp. 2-73. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co..

• 1996 -- Pubmed # 8951942 Weiner, D., Pieper, C., McConnell, E., Martinez, S., Keefe, F. Pain measurement in elders with chronic low back pain: traditional and alternative approaches. Pain. 1996; 67(2-3); 461-7

• 1996 -- Pubmed # 8702373 Kochersberger, G., McConnell, E., Kuchibhatla, M. N., Pieper, C. The reliability, validity, and stability of a measure of physical activity in the elderly. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1996; 77(8); 793-5

• 1995 -- Pubmed # 7655253 McConnell, E. Human warmth is a form of nutrition. Contemp Nurse. 1995; 4(2); 81-2

• 1995 -- Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S. [Eds.] Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice. Vol. 5 (First Japanese translation). Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd. 1995; Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd..

• 1994 -- Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S. [Eds.] Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice, Vol. 4 (First Japanese translation). Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd. 1994; Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd..

• 1993 -- Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S. [Eds.] Gerontological Nursing; Concepts and Practice, Vol. 3 (First Japanese translation). Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd. 1993; Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd..

• 1993 -- Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S. [Eds.] Gerontological Nursing; Concepts and Practice, Vol. 2. (First Japanese translation). Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd. 1993; Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd,.

• 1993 -- Hogue, C., Cullinan, S., McConnell, E. S. Exercise interventions for the chronically Ill: Review and prospects. In In Key Aspects of Caring for the Chronically Ill: Hospital and Home, edited by Funk, S. G. and Tornquist, E. T. and Champagne, M. T. and Wiese, R. A. 1993; New York: Springer.

• 1992 -- McConnell, E. S. Gerontological Nursing, Concepts and Practice, Vol. 1 (First Japanese translation). Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin Ltd. 1992; Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin, Ltd..

• 1992 -- Neelon, V. J., Champagne, M. T., McConnell, E., Carlson, J., Funk, S. G. Effectiveness of the NEECHAM Scale in assessing the cognitive status of hospitalized older patients. In In Key Aspects of Elder Care: Managing Falls, Incontinence and Cognitive Impairment (New York), edited by Funk, S. G. and Tornquist, E. M. and Champagne, M. T. and Wiese, R. A. 1992; pp. 278-299. : Springer.

• 1990 -- McConnell, E. S., Neelon, V. J., Champagne, M. T. The relationship between nutrition and cognitive impairment in the hospitalized elderly. In In Key Aspects of Recovery: Improving Nutrition, Rest, and Mobility, edited by Funk, S. G. and Tornquist, E. M. and Champagne, M. T. and Copp, L. A. and Wiese, R. A. 1990; pp. 171-182. New York: Springer Publishing Co..

• 1989 -- Pubmed # 2794374 Harrell, J. S., McConnell, E. S., Wildman, D. S., Samsa, G. P. Do nursing diagnoses affect functional status? J Gerontol Nurs. October, 1989; 15(10); 13-9

• 1988 -- Matteson, M. A., McConnell, E. S. [Eds.] Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Co. 1988; Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co.

• 1988 -- McConnell, E. S. Toward a conceptual framework for gerontological nursing (Chapter 1). In Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice (1st Ed.), edited by Matteson, M. A. and McConnell, E. S. 1988; Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co..

• 1987 -- Snow, T. L., Giduz, E. H., McConnell, E. S., Sanchez, C. J., Wildman, D. E. Handbook of Geriatric Practice Essentials. Rockville, MD: Aspen Publishing Co. 1987; Rockville, MD: Aspen Publishing Co..

• 1987 -- Snow, T., McConnell, E. S. Prevention and management of pressure sores: New techniques for an old problem. In In Focus on Geriatric Care and Rehabilitation, Vol. 1, No. 3, edited by B. J. Dwyer 1987; Rockville, MD: Aspen Publishing Co..

Grant Funding (selected)

• Implementing a Home Safety Toolkit for Veterans with Dementia  
  VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative
  VA QUERI- Number SDP 13-216
  09/2013-09/2016
  Role: Site PI
  Project Goals: The purpose of this project is to study the processes necessary to make a Home Safety Toolkit (HST) for Veterans with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type or a related disorder accessible to these patients and their caregivers; and to gather additional information about the effectiveness of the HST intervention when implemented in Veteran Health Administration (VHA) clinics. The project is a Type 3 Implementation –Effectiveness Hybrid Research Design.

• Cognitive Impairment in Low Vision Rehabilitation: Prevalence and Consequences  
  VA Rehabilitation Research & Development
  1 I21 RX001721-01
  05/2015-04/2017
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goals: The objective of this pilot study is to characterize the prevalence and consequences of cognitive impairment among Veterans receiving inter-disciplinary, outpatient low vision rehabilitation (LVR). This is a necessary first step toward future intervention and implementation research aimed at improving outcomes for Veterans with dual vision and cognitive impairments.

• Implementing a Deliberate Practice Approach to Support Adaptive Dementia Care: A Comparison study between the U.S. and China  
  DUSON Office of Research Affairs International Research Award
  12/2014-12/2016
  Role: Principal Investigator
  Purpose: This study examines the feasibility of using deliberate practice to teach adaptive cueing for dementia care to master trainers in both the US and China, as a strategy for large-scale workforce development in dementia care. The study is a critical step in preparation for an international PCORI application that will compare an adaptive leadership approach to basic dementia skills implementation to the deployment of task-specific workers (technical approach) in reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia during basic care.

• Evidence Based Practice in Geriatric Care: A Grand Challenge Approach  
  Health Resources and Service Administration
  2D62-HP01909-10-00
  09/2003-06/2015
  Role: Principal Investigator
  Project goal: To engage registered nurses (RNs) across the spectrum of elder care from five targeted communities in North Carolina (NC) in an in-depth Continuing Education (CE) Institute. Participating RNs will acquire geriatric clinical and leadership skills needed to implement significant evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes among older adults in each community.

• Adaptive Leadership for Person-Directed Care in Nursing Homes  
  Duke-RTI FLARE Seed Fund
  03/2015-02/2016
  Role: Co-investigator
  Purpose: This new alliance between Duke and RTI launches an innovative program of research with the aim of a project to develop a theoretical and an operational framework for person-directed assessment and care planning, which will be amenable to intervention development for future studies.

• IPA Markedia Mason  
  Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  05/2014-04/2016
  

• IPA Kyung Hee Lee  
  Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  04/2014-07/2014
  

• IPA, Markedia Mason  
  Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  558/05
  07/2013-09/2013
  

• IPA- Kyung Hee Lee  
  Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  07/2013-09/2013
  

• Regulating Licensed Nursing Practice in Nursing Homes: Enacted RN and LPN Scopes of Practice and Care Outcomes  
  National Council of State Boards of Nursing
  R50007
  01/2013-12/2014
  Role: Co-investigator
  Project Goals: To identify the set of behaviors and strategies that RN Directors of Nursing (DONs) in nursing homes and their licensed nursing staff can use to enact their full scope of practice to improve quality of care, accounting for between state differences in Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs).

• Evaluation of Dementia-specific Oral Hygiene Program  
  VA Office of Nursing Services Strategic Funding 2013
  03/2013-09/2013
  Project Goals: To evaluate a dementia-specific oral hygiene program on Veteran’s psychological well-being and oral health using the RE-AIM format.

• Enhanced Geriatric Nursing Content for Family Nurse Practitioners  
  Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions
  D09HP18991-01-00
  07/2010-06/2013
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project goals: To expand and revise the existing Master of Science in Nursing family nurse practitioner (FNP) curriculum at the Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON), to address the critical shortage of primary care providers in rural and underserved areas who are skilled in providing primary care of older adults.

• Regulating Licensed Nursing Practice in Nursing Homes: How RN and LPN Scopes of Practice Are Enacted  
  National Council for State Boards of Nursing
  NCSBN R30010
  10/2010-09/2012
  Role: Co-Investigator
  To describe practice patterns of RNs and LPNs used to implement their scope of practice, to compare these practice patterns between two states, and to develop a facility-level tool to measure these patterns.

• CONNECT for Better Falls Prevention in VA Community Living Centers  
  Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development
  EDU 08-417
  08/2009-07/2012
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: This project will evaluate the effectiveness of two different approaches to provide education on falls prevention and also evaluate impact on resident-level outcomes.

• Uniform Senior Assessment: Development of a Risk Assessment Instrument to Target Interventions to Improve Elder Care Transitions.  
  Duke Translational Nursing Institute
  05/2010-06/2011
  Role: PI
  Project goals: The goal of this project is to develop specifications for an electronic medical record-based risk identification system to identify older adults at risk for rehospitalization or repeated emergency department use, based on statistical models Duke University and VA Health system data.

• Implementation of Gerontology Nurse Specialist Curriculum  
  Fulbright Specialists Grant
  01/2010-02/2010
  Role: PI and Fulbright Senior Specialist
  Project goals To train individuals providing geriatric care for the elderly by enhancing the knowledge, skills and leadership potential of registered nurses (RNs), through consultation with faculty at the University of the West Indies.

• Durham Health Innovations Healthy Aging in Place (HIP)-Seniors Project  
  National Institutes of Health
  04/2009-04/2010
  Role: Project PI
  This project seeks to develop innovative, evidence-based models of care to improve one or more public health indicators in Durham County. The project is one of 10 planning grants approved as part of the Duke Clinical Translational Science Award’s Community Research Initiative.

• Evidence Based Nursing Practice in Geriatric Settings  
  Health Resources and Service Administration
  5D62-HP01909-07-00
  09/2009-06/2012
  Role: PI
  Project goals: To engage registered nurses (RNs) across the spectrum of elder care from five targeted communities in North Carolina (NC) in an in-depth Continuing Education (CE) Institute. Participating RNs (n = 150) will acquire geriatric clinical and leadership skills needed to implement significant evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes among older adults in each community. Specific project goals are to: (1) Refine, implement, and operate the innovative “Geriatric Nursing Education Innovations” (GNIE) CE Institute, with a focus on reducing health disparities in elder care at the community level, (2) Recruit, enroll and retain a diverse RN workforce into the GNIE Institute from across the care spectrum in each of five communities, and (3) Evaluate and disseminate results from participant, employer, and community health perspectives. The five communities targeted in this proposal each contains a substantial portion of rural or underserved older adults in NC.

• Regulating licensed nursing practice in nursing homes: RN delegation, LPN practice, and care outcomes  
  National Council for State Boards of Nursing
  P19004
  07/2008-09/2010
  Role: Co-investigator
  Project Goal: To measure the relationships between state Nurse Practice Acts codification of RN delegation and LPN practice, and facility-level outcomes of care.

• Partner Team for the NC New Organizational Vision Award (NC NOVA)  
  North Carolina Foundation for Advanced Health Programs, Inc.
  03/2007-07/2007
  Role: Co-PI
  Project goals: Participate in partner team to assist in development of administrative rules, public education, and program evaluation metrics to promote sustained implementation of workforce improvement in LTC Project goals: To provide perspective of university-based School of Nursing on workforce development initiative.

• Center of Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Education  
  The Duke Endowment
  01/2008-12/2010
  Role: PI
  Project goals: This project seeks to expand the capacity for developing nursing faculty with expertise in geriatric nursing, through expanding career pathways, developing new models of clinical instructor development, and establishing a virtual community of nursing educators who share expertise in geriatric nursing education techniques.

• Geriatric Education Center  
  Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions
  UB4HP19203-01-00
  09/2007-09/2010
  Role: Co-Director
  This project seeks to increase the ability of interdisciplinary health professions faculty to engage in interdisciplinary faculty development and coursework in geriatrics in the acute and long-term care through continuing education and mini-fellowship activities. A core component of the curriculum development includes a focus on cognitive dysfunction. In addition to standard educational evaluation methods, quality improvement at the patient care level will be evaluated.

• Evidence Based Nursing Practice in Geriatric Settings  
  Health Resources and Service Administration
  2-D62HP01909-04-00
  09/2006-06/2009
  Role: PI
  Project goals To train individuals providing geriatric care for the elderly by enhancing the knowledge, skills and leadership potential of registered nurses (RNs), through offering a 6-session continuing education CE series focused on implementation of evidence-based clinical practice protocols for common geriatric syndromes. In this CE series RNs will focus on developing both the clinical geriatric knowledge and the leadership skills for working effectively with culturally diverse LPN and CNA staff to implement evidence-based clinical practice protocols for common geriatric syndromes such as prevention of dehydration, recognition and management of delirium, acute pain, infections, falls and dysmobility. The leadership skills component includes communication with a culturally diverse paraprofessional staff, effective staff motivation, task delegation, supervision, quality management, bedside teaching and team building. RN trainees will also be expected to plan and conduct a clinical practice improvement projected related to the geriatric syndromes in their sponsoring facility.

• Creating Careers in Geriatric Advanced Practice Nursing  
  John A. Hartford Foundation & American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  07/2005-06/2008
  Role: PI
  Project goals: To support nine matched scholarships for students pursuing full-time advanced practice gerontological nursing studies. Our goal, through these scholarships, is to graduate gerontological advanced practice nurses who are ideally poised to reshape the delivery of clinical care to older adults throughout the United States -- either through further study leading to careers in nursing science or education, or through leadership in the development and implementation of clinical improvements.

• Diffusion of Innovations Measures for Translational Science in LTC: LPNs and CNAs  
  University of Iowa
  NIH: P30-NR03979, Sub-Award No. 4000532306
  09/2005-03/2009
  Role: Subcontract PI
  Project goals: This study will develop and test a set of measures representing three domains within the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) framework to assess readiness for adoption of evidence-based practices by LPNs and nursing assistants in long-term care (LTC). The study complements a study submitted to the Duke University TRAC Center to develop DoI measures for use by RNs. The measures developed will serve as a template for studying EBPs not yet widely used in long-term care and will accommodate diverse perspectives of each level of nursing personnel involved in direct care.

• TRAC Pilot: Diffusion of Innovations Measurement for Translational Science in LTC: RNs  
  National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Nursing Research
  2P20NR07795-01
  07/2005-12/2007
  Role: Pilot Study PI
  Project goals: This study will develop and test a set of measures representing three domains within the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) framework to assess readiness for adoption of evidence-based practices by RNs in long-term care (LTC). The study complements a study submitted to the University of Iowa GNIRC to develop DoI measures for use by LPNs and CNAs. The measures developed will serve as a template for studying EBPs not yet widely used in long-term care and will accommodate diverse perspectives of each level of nursing personnel involved in direct care.

• Leisure Time Activity Counseling to Improve Function in Elders (Project LIFE).  
  Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research & Development
  E2788-RA
  07/2004-06/2007
  Role: Co-investigator
  Project goals: The overall goal of this project is to determine, among older veterans followed by our primary care and geriatric clinics, whether physical activity counseling compared to usual care improves physical performance and related psychological outcomes. We also will examine the effects of physical activity counseling on health care costs.

• Evidence Based Nursing Practice in Geriatric Settings  
  Department of Health and Human Services
  1D62 HP01909-01
  09/2003-06/2006
  Role: PI
  Project goals: This proposal addresses the FY 2003 Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program, focused on training individuals who will provide geriatric care for the elderly by enhancing the knowledge, skills and leadership potential of registered nurses (RNs), through offering a 6-session continuing education CE series focused on implementation of evidence-based clinical practice protocols for common geriatric syndromes. In this CE series RNs will focus on developing both the clinical geriatric knowledge and the leadership skills for working effectively with culturally diverse LPN and CNA staff to implement evidence-based clinical practice protocols for common geriatric syndromes such as prevention of dehydration, recognition and management of delirium, acute pain, infections, falls and dysmobility. The leadership skills component includes communication with a culturally diverse paraprofessional staff, effective staff motivation, task delegation, supervision, quality management, bedside teaching and team building. RN trainees will also be expected to plan and conduct a clinical practice improvement projected related to the geriatric syndromes in their sponsoring facility.

• Content Validity of the MDS Med Guide  
  American Society for Consulting Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation
  05/2001-09/2004
  Role: PI
  Project goals: (1) Assess content validity of the MDS-Med Guide (MMG) – a tool designed to better integrate knowledge of relationships between drug therapy and side effects and functional status of elderly patients into patient care planning process to enhance benefits realized from medication use while minimizing adverse effects, (2) Develop a process to routinely update the drugs, side effects, and functional status indicators on the MMG.

• Bedside Clinical Direction in Long-Term Care Settings  
  GlaxoSmithKline
  06/2003-05/2004
  Role: PI
  Project goals: To improve clinical outcomes for residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities through: (1) developing and evaluating an innovative model of bedside clinical direction in LTC, and (2) developing a new, interdisciplinary clinical rotation for geriatric medicine, nursing, and pharmacy students, to promote student involvement in implementing the bedside clinical direction model. In the Bedside Clinical Direction model, a gerontological advanced practice nurse (GAPN) links interdisciplinary specialty consultants (geriatric medicine, and pharmacy), supervisors of direct care workers in the residential care setting, and the caregivers themselves, to implement evidence-based care routines for residents with selected high prevalence problems such as infections, persistent pain, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus.

• Trajectories of Aging and Care in Nursing Science: TRAC Center Administrative Core  
  National Institutes of Health - National Institute of Nursing Research
  2P20 NR07795-01
  09/2004-06/2008
  Role: Director, Administrative Core
  Project goals: Competing continuation application to continue the Trajectories of Aging and Care (TRAC) Center which is designed to enhance the capacity for nurse investigators to examine patterns of health, illness, and care among the elderly over time and across diverse settings, including home and institution. Sub-project goals: To expand the capacity for nurse scientists to conduct nurse-led interdisciplinary studies through providing longitudinal methods consultation, research support for pilot projects, and administrative support for the Duke Long Term Care Consortium.

• Affective Responses to Prevention among Nursing Home Residents with Dementia  
  RAND/Hartford Foundation Geriatric Interdisciplinary Research Center
  01/2003-12/2005
  Role: PI of Pilot Project
  Pilot Project Goals: This pilot study will develop methods to determine how affective status of elderly nursing home (NH) residents with dementia is influenced by daily nursing care directed at increasing daily physical activity to prevent decline in physical function. We also seek to learn how affective states (as viewed from patient, family, and clinician perspectives) influence NH residents’ responses to preventive care routines.

• Creating Careers in Geriatric Advanced Practice Nursing  
  John A. Hartford Foundation & American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  07/2002-06/2005
  Role: PI
  Project goals: To support nine matched scholarships for students pursuing full-time advanced practice gerontological nursing studies. Our goal, through these scholarships, is to graduate gerontological advanced practice nurses who are ideally poised to reshape the delivery of clinical care to older adults throughout the United States -- either through further study leading to careers in nursing science or education, or through leadership in the development and implementation of clinical improvements

• Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training  
  John A. Hartford Foundation
  09/2002-08/2003
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project goals: Collaborate with colleagues in the Geriatrics Division to plan and implement an internet based curriculum on geriatric interdisciplinary care planning for aggregates of older adults, using palliative care as the model case.

• Validation and Refinement of the MDS-Med Guide  
  American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation
  08/2001-12/2002
  Role: PI
  Project goals: (1) Assess content validity of the MDS-Med Guide (MMG) – a tool designed to better integrate knowledge of relationships between drug therapy and side effects and functional status of elderly patients into patient care planning process to enhance benefits realized from medication use while minimizing adverse effects, (2) Develop a process to routinely update the drugs, side effects, and functional status indicators on the MMG.

• Abilities-Focused Care Environments for Veterans with Dementia  
  Veterans Administration Central Office: New Clinical Initiative Program
  NPI-01-002-1
  09/2001-12/2003
  Role: PI
  Project goals: This project will establish and evaluate innovations in dementia care practices and environments that are designed to improve demented patients’ function, behavior, and quality of life. The program will be implemented in existing VA nursing home care units (NHCUs), within the framework of the NHCUs’ current staffing levels. Specific objectives include (1) Establish an abilities-focused care program for veterans with dementia, consisting of changes in nursing care techniques and modifications to the physical environment of care, in 4 VA nursing home care units (NHCUs). (2) Evaluate the impact of the abilities-focused care program on veterans’ function and behavior, on veterans’ and their families’ satisfaction with care, and on NHCUs’ profiles on long-term care performance indicators. (3) Describe staff time requirements and environmental modification costs to implement the abilities-focused care program in VA NHCUs. (4) Facilitate dissemination of the abilities-focused care program to other NHCUs by compiling materials and procedures used to implement the program, and summarizing the evaluation of its impact and costs.

• Distance-Based Gerontological Nursing Education in Exemplary Long-Term Care Settings  
  Helene Fuld Health Trust
  07/2001-06/2003
  Role: PI
  Project goals: A two-year project implemented in four long-term care sites in both the eastern and western regions of NC to: (1) establish meaningful clinical collaboration among Duke faculty, LTC administrators, staff, and advanced practice nurses serving as preceptors; (2) adapt the curriculum in the gerontological nursing for distance-based delivery, complementing the core MSN courses already available online; (3) educate gerontological nurse practitioners in evidence-based practice through a web-based curriculum and supervised clinical placements in LTCC facilities; and (4) collaborate with nursing home staff in each facility to develop and implement a clinical care program which addresses a problem identified by the nursing home, and which utilizes an evidence-based practice approach.

• Long-Term Care Consortium Scholars-in-Residence Program  
  Dr. Scholl Foundation
  10/2001-09/2002
  Role: PI
  Project goals: Under the auspices of the School of Nursing’s Long-Term Care Consortium (LTCC), establish (1) a Scholar-in-Residence program, implemented on-site at LTCC facilities demonstrating the utility and benefit of conducting on-site research into topics of mutual interest to LTC providers and university faculty and (2) establish LTCC Fellowships for graduate nursing students specializing in geriatric care.

• Gerontological Leadership and Outcomes Management Program  
  Teagle Foundation
  07/1999-06/2000
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project goals: To develop a innovative approach to preparing nurses for leadership positions in community-based, long term care settings

• Effects of Functional Incidental Training (‘FIT’) in VA Nursing Home Care Unit Residents  
  VA Rehabilitation Research & Development
  E98-1368RA
  09/1998-12/2003
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project goals: To test an innovative rehabilitation intervention called functional incidental training (FIT) on functional status (transfer abilities, continence, ambulation or wheelchair mobility, balance, falls risk, strength and endurance) among older VA nursing home care unit residents. FIT is an individualized rehabilitation protocol that combines low intensity functionally oriented exercises (strength and endurance exercises) with prompted voiding, an approach to managing incontinence that has previously been shown to be successful in non-VA nursing homes.

• Disability In Nursing Home Residents With Dementia  
  National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Nursing Research
  1R29-NR04765-01
  09/1998-05/2004
  Role: PI
  Project goals: To increase understanding of how disability progresses, and to determine whether risk factors for worsening disability can be modified by existing nursing home staff, slowing the rate of functional decline in cognitively impaired residents. Specific aims include (1) analyzing trajectories of decline in functional status in long-stay nursing home residents with cognitive impairment to determine whether modifiable clinical and care factors influence decline; (2) identifying subgroups of nursing home residents with cognitive impairment who have atypical patterns of decline, characterized by either frequent fluctuations in ADL status or steeper than average slope of decline, and (3) examining the feasibility and preliminary effects of an intervention designed to reduce risk factors for disability progression in cognitively impaired long-stay nursing home residents.

• Behavioral & Functional Problem in Dementia Patients with Sensory loss  
  Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development
  E-2044
  07/1997-06/1999
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project goals: (1) To describe the functional and behavioral problems experienced by nursing home patients with co-existing dementia and sensory loss. (2) To examine the independent and interactive effects of vision loss, hearing loss, and cognitive status on dependence in activities of daily living and behavioral disturbance. (3) To identify intervention strategies that may be feasible to reduce sensory impairment in nursing home residents with dementia.

• Exercise, Axial Mobility and Function in Chronically Institutionalized Nursing Home Patient –Intervention Development Study of Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center  
  National Institute on Aging
  P60-AG11268
  07/1992-06/1996
  Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  Project goals: (1) To develop a physical performance instrument to serve as a basis for exercise prescription in the frail elderly nursing home resident, (2) To examine the effects of a nurse-led group low intensity strength and flexibility exercise training program on disability and limitations in function among elderly long-stay nursing home residents.

• Motor Activity and Nursing Care in Alzheimer’s Disease  
  National Institute for Nursing Research
  F31-NR06673
  10/1991-05/1994
  Role: PI
  Project goals: To provide pre-doctoral training support and to examine the effects of motor activity patterns as a risk factor for decline in older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease.

• Acute Confusion in Hospitalized Elderly: Patterns and Factors  
  National Institute for Nursing Research
  R01 NR 3390
  07/1986-06/1988
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project goals: To identify factors associated with the development of acute confusion (delirium) in older adults hospitalized on a general medical unit.