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Eleanor Schildwachter McConnell

Associate Professor in the School of Nursing
School of Nursing
Box 3322 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. McConnell's program of research focuses on factors that influence functional decline in very frail older adults. She has been funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research and the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a series of studies designed to identify modifiable risk factors for worsening self-care disability in long-stay nursing home residents with chronic cognitive impairment. She has also developed and tested a variety of interventions to modify risk factors for worsening disability.  Her research builds upon existing knowledge of the bio-physical determinants of disability as conceptualized in the Nagi Disablement Model. Dr. McConnell's academic interests include frailty in the aged, the role of the environment in promoting function, and the conduct and testing of nursing interventions to prevent decline in those with chronic illness.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in the School of Nursing · 2011 - Present School of Nursing

In the News


Published May 20, 2020
How to Address COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
Published July 19, 2018
Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Addresses Needs in Local Community
Published June 13, 2016
Eleanor McConnell, Kenneth Schmader, co-authors: Medicare redesign needed in Health Professional Shortage Areas

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Recent Publications


Improving Postoperative Care for Veterans With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Through Preoperative Education and the Electronic Health Record: A Quality Improvement Project.

Journal Article J Perianesth Nurs · June 2025 PURPOSE: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to establish and evaluate a process to improve use of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on the day of surgery, postoperative day 0 (POD 0), for Veterans using home PAP therapy for obstr ... Full text Link to item Cite

Characterizing Intervention Components and Complexity of Nonpharmacologic Healthcare Interventions to Manage Distress Behaviors in Older Adults.

Journal Article J Appl Gerontol · April 28, 2025 Distress behaviors are common in residential care settings and contribute to staff burnout and poor quality of life for older adults. While nonpharmacologic interventions reduce distress behaviors, implementation in routine care remains challenging. Our st ... Full text Link to item Cite

Geriatrics-Focused vs Traditional Primary Care in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Journal Article JAMA Netw Open · January 2, 2025 IMPORTANCE: Older adults often require specialized health care expertise, but the effects of geriatrics-focused models of primary care have not been fully evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of geriatrics-focused primary care vs traditional primar ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Models of Post-Acute Care in Complex Older Adults with Fracture

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2024 - 2030

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Simulation Education Training (SET) Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEParticipating Faculty Member · Awarded by Health Resources and Service Administration · 2023 - 2026

Developing a Mobile App-Based Intervention to Promote Cognitive Health in Older Chinese Americans

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 1995 Ph.D.