Victoria Vaughan Dickson
FAAN FAHA FHFSA PhD RN
Dr. John W. Rowe Professor in Successful Aging
Assistant Dean, Research Innovation
Director, Pless Center for Research
vd30@nyu.edu
1 215 704 7223
Dr. John W. Rowe Professor in Successful Aging
Assistant Dean, Research Innovation
Director, Pless Center for Research
Victoria Vaughan Dickson's additional information
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Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN, is the John W. Rowe Professor in Successful Aging, Assistant Dean, Research Innovation, and Director of the Pless Center for Nursing Research at Rory Meyers College of Nursing. With extensive clinical and research experience in cardiovascular and occupational health nursing, her research program focuses on investigating the bio-behavioral influences on self-care in patients with cardiovascular disease risk, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and multiple comorbidities. Her work has led to an improved understanding of the sociocultural influences of self-care among vulnerable populations, including ethnic minority groups, women, and older workers; and the development of innovative theory-based interventions. Dickson is recognized as an international expert in qualitative research techniques, mixed methods research, and has conducted training for interdisciplinary teams locally, nationally, and internationally.
Prof. Dickson is dedicated to building research capacity across disciplines and advancing nursing science that impacts policy and clinical care. Currently, Dickson serves as PI and program director of the NIOSH-funded doctoral training program in occupational and environmental health nursing, PI of the NHLBI- funded Research Education in Cardiovascular Conditions program, co-PI of the NINR-funded NYU Meyers P20 Exploratory Center for Precision Health in Diverse Populations and KL2 co-director and co-investigator of the NCATS-funded NYU CTSI. In addition, she is a co-investigator on numerous team science initiatives focused on multiple chronic conditions.
Prof. Dickson has been recognized with numerous awards for her research and leadership including the STTI Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame (2019), HFSA Nursing Research Leadership award (2021), and ENRS Leadership Award (2020). She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (2014), American Heart Association (2011), Heart Failure Society of America (2016), and New York Academy of Medicine (2018). Dickson is the editor of the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
Prof. Dickson holds a clinical appointment as an advanced practice nurse in the division of cardiology at NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital. She earned her PhD and MSN from the University of Pennsylvania and BSN from Temple University.
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PhD - University of PennsylvaniaMSN - University of PennsylvaniaBSN - Temple University
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Non-communicable diseaseCardiologyGerontology
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American Academy of Nurse PractitionersAmerican Academy of NursingAmerican Association of Occupational Health NursesAmerican Heart AssociationAmerican Nurses AssociationCouncil on the Advancement of NursingEastern Nursing Research SocietyEuropean Society of CardiologyGerontological Society of AmericaHeart Failure Society of AmericaNew York Academy of MedicineNew York Nurse Practitioners AssociationSigma Theta Tau, XI ChapterSigma Theta Tua International Honor Society
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Faculty Honors Awards
Nursing Research Leadership Award, HFSA (2021)Leadership Award, ENRS (2021)Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, STTI (2019)President-Elect, Eastern Nursing Research Society (2018)Associate Editor, Cardiovascular Nursing (2018)Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2018)President-Elect, Eastern Nursing Research Society (2017)Spirit of Nursing Award, University of Massachusetts (2017)Fellow, Heart Failure Society of America (2016)President-Elect, Eastern Nursing Research Society (2016)Associate Editor to Circulation, Cardiovascular Quality & Outcomes (2016)Springer Publishing Company Award (2014)Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2014)PhD Faculty Excellence Award, NYU (2014)Research Award, ENRS Rising Star (2012)Fellow, American Heart Association Fuchs-Schoeck Research (2012)Minority Aging Research and Community Health Scholar, University of Pennsylvania (2011)Nursing and Allied Health Professional Award, European Society of Cardiology (2011)Fellow, American Heart Association (2011)Fellow, Brookdale Foundation Leadership in Aging (2010)Reviewer of the Year, Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (2009)Nursing Research Award, Heart Failure Society of America (2007)Martha Hill New Investigator Award, American Heart Association (2007)Student Award, University of Pennsylvania (2007)Research Award, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (2006) -
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Publications
Improving heart failure self-care through a community-based skill-building intervention: A study protocol
AbstractDickson, V. V., Melkus, G. D., Dorsen, C., Katz, S., & Riegel, B. (2014). Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 30(4), S14-S24. 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000161AbstractBackground: Self-care is the cornerstone of heart failure (HF) management. Numerous approaches to improving HF self-care, which involves adherence to the treatment plan, routine symptom monitoring, and the response to symptoms when they occur, have been developed with little impact on HF outcomes. On the basis of HF practice recommendations that patients receive education and counseling that emphasizes self-care and targets skill building of critical target behaviors, we are conducting a clinical trial designed to improve self-care among community-dwelling older adults using an innovative group-based, skill-building approach led by a trained health educator. Objective: This article describes the study design and research methods used to implement and evaluate the intervention. Methods: The study uses a staggered randomized controlled design to assess feasibility of providing an HF self-care intervention in a community group setting to improve HF self-care, knowledge, and health-related quality of life at 1 and 3 months. A community engagement approach is used to partner with the community throughout all phases of the project. Seventy-five older adults with HF are randomly assigned to the intervention consisting of six to eight 60-minute sessions held in community senior centers or to the wait-list control group. Focus groups are used to elicit feedback on the participants' experience in the program. Results: Preliminary study participation data (n = 60; women, 48%; black, 27%; Hispanic, 32%; mean [SD] age, 70 [10] years) and focus group feedback suggest that the delivery approach is feasible and acceptable, and the participants are very satisfied with the program. Conclusions: Implementation of a community-based HF self-care intervention delivered in partnership with established community-based centers is an innovative approach to intervention. If efficacy is demonstrated, this intervention has far-reaching implications for helping the growing population of HF patients in ethnically diverse communities.Cardiovascular disease self-care interventions
Vaughan Dickson, V., Nocella, J., Yoon, H., Hammer, M., Melkus, G. D., & Chyun, D. (2013). Nursing Research and Practice.How do depressive symptoms influence self-care among an ethnic minority population with heart failure?
AbstractDickson, V. V., McCarthy, M. M., & Katz, S. M. (2013). Ethnicity and Disease, 23(1), 22-28.AbstractObjectives: Depression is very common in patients with heart failure (HF). However, little is known about how depression influences self-care (ie, adherence to diet, medication and symptom management behaviors) in ethnic minority patients with HF. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of depression and how depressive symptoms affect self-care in an ethnic minority Black population with HF. Design: In this mixed methods study, 30 Black patients (mean age 59.63 SD 615 years; 60% male) participated in in-depth interviews about HF self-care and mood; and completed standardized instruments measuring self-care, depression, and physical functioning. Thematic content analysis was used to explore the meaning of depression and elicit themes about how depressive symptoms affect daily self-care practices. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated in the final analytic phase. Results: Self-care was very poor in the sample. Forty percent of the sample had evidence of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9≥10; mean 7.59 ± 6 5.29, range 0 to 22). Individuals with depressive symptoms had poorer self-care (P=.029). In the qualitative data, individuals described depressive mood as "feeling blue⋯ like I failed." "Overwhelming" sadness and fatigue influenced self-care and resulted in treatment delays. For many, spirituality was central to coping with sadness. Few discussed depressive feelings with health care providers. Conclusions: Depression in ethnic minority patients with HF may be difficult to assess. Research to develop and test culturally sensitive interventions is critically needed, since depression influences self-care and minority populations continue to experience poorer outcomes.Sociocultural influences on heart failure self-care among an ethnic minority black population
AbstractDickson, V. V., Mccarthy, M. M., Howe, A., Schipper, J., & Katz, S. M. (2013). Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 28(2), 111-118. 10.1097/JCN.0b013e31823db328AbstractBACKGROUND:: Heart failure (HF) places a disproportionate burden on ethnic minority populations, including blacks, who have the highest risk of developing HF and experience poorer outcomes. Self-care, which encompasses adherence to diet, medication, and symptom management, can significantly improve outcomes. However, HF self-care is notoriously poor in ethnic minority black populations. OBJECTIVES:: Because culture is central to the development of self-care, we sought to describe the self-care practices and sociocultural influences of self-care in an ethnic minority black population with HF. METHODS:: In this mixed-methods study, 30 black patients with HF (mean [SD] age, 59.63 [15] years; 67% New York Heart Association class III) participated in interviews about self-care, cultural beliefs, and social support and completed standardized instruments measuring self-care and social support. Thematic content analysis revealed themes about sociocultural influences of self-care. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated in the final analytic phase. RESULTS:: Self-care was very poor (standardized mean [SD] Self-care of Heart Failure Index [SCHFI] maintenance, 60.05 [18.12]; SCHFI management, 51.19 [18.98]; SCHFI confidence, 62.64 [8.16]). The overarching qualitative theme was that self-care is influenced by cultural beliefs, including the meaning ascribed to HF, and by social norms. The common belief that HF was inevitable ("all my people have bad hearts") or attributed to "stress" influenced daily self-care. Spirituality was also linked to self-care ("the doctor may order it but I pray on it"). Cultural beliefs supported some self-care behaviors like medication adherence. Difficulty reconciling cultural preferences (favorite foods) with the salt-restricted diet was evident. The significant relationship of social support and self-care (r = 0.451, P = .01) was explicated by the qualitative data. Social norms interfered with willingness to access social support, and "selectivity" in whom individuals confided led to social isolation and confounded self-care practices. CONCLUSIONS:: Research to develop and test culturally sensitive interventions is needed. Community-based interventions that provide culturally acceptable resources to facilitate self-care should be explored.Nursing Theorists and Their Work (7th ed.) by M. R. Alligood and A. M. Tomey (Eds.) (Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010)
Dickson, V. V., & Wright, F. (2012). Nursing Science Quarterly, 25(2), 203-204. 10.1177/0894318412437963The relationship of work, self-care, and quality of life in a sample of older working adults with cardiovascular disease
AbstractDickson, V. V., Howe, A., Deal, J., & McCarthy, M. M. (2012). Heart and Lung: Journal of Acute and Critical Care, 41(1), 5-14. 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2011.09.012AbstractObjective: The study objective was to describe the self-care behaviors of adherence to medication, diet, exercise, and symptom monitoring of older workers with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and explore the relationship among job characteristics (job demands, job control, and workplace support), self-care, and quality of life. More than 3.5 million workers have CVD with significant work limitations and increased disability. Workers must meet the challenges of today's work processes that include increased stress and intense production demands while managing the complexities of their CVD. Methods: A total of 129 workers (aged ≥ 45 years) with CVD completed standardized instruments about self-care (Specific Adherence Scale α = .74), job characteristics (Job Content Questionnaire α = .71), and quality of life (MacNew health-related quality of life α = .84). Regression analyses were used to examine relationships between variables. Results: The sample had a mean age of 59.16 ± 8.83 years, 56.3% were female, and 36.5% were African-American. Self-care behaviors varied. Most workers (71.4%) reported medication adherence, and few adhered to diet (27%), exercise (18%), or symptom monitoring (31.3%). Psychologic job demands were negatively correlated to self-care (r = -217, P = .02). Better adherence was reported by those with workplace support (r = .313, P = .001). Job characteristics explained 22% of variance in self-care adherence behaviors. Adherence was a significant determinant of general quality of life. Conclusion: Because job characteristics may interfere with self-care, clinicians should assess job demands and discuss stress management with employed patients. Interventions that foster worksite programs and facilitate self-care among workers with CVD are needed.Barriers to Cardiac Rehabilitation in Women With Cardiovascular Disease:An Integrative Review
AbstractMcCarthy, M. M., Vaughan Dickson, V., & Chyun, D. (2011). Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 26(5), E1-E10. 10.1097/JCN.0b013e3181f877e9AbstractAlthough death rates from cardiovascular disease (CVD) have declined in recent years, it continues to be the leading cause of death for women in the United States. The risk factors for CVD are well established and include physical inactivity. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2008, 38% of women reported no physical activity. For many women who experience a cardiac event, their first opportunity to become physically active is through a formal cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. Unfortunately, women often underutilize CR programs. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine the barriers to participation in a CR program among women with CVD.Hospital staff nurses' work hours, meal periods, and rest breaks. A review from an occupational health nurse perspective.
AbstractWitkoski, A., & Dickson, V. V. (2010). AAOHN Journal : Official Journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, 58(11), 489-497; quiz 498. 10.1177/216507991005801106AbstractRegistered nurses are the largest group of health care providers in the United States. To provide 24-hour care, hospital staff nurses often work long hours and consecutive shifts, without adequate meal or rest breaks. Serious declines in functioning related to provider fatigue can lead to safety issues for patients and nurses alike. The occupational health nurse can assess the effects of nurses' work hours and break periods on employee health, educate staff on the importance of sleep and deleterious effects of fatigue, and implement programs to improve the work environment. This article examines nurses' work hours, break and meal period laws and regulations, and the role of the occupational health nurse in caring for this group of employees. Overall findings suggest that the expertise of an occupational health nurse in the hospital setting could significantly improve the health and safety of staff nurses.