Date of Conferral

10-20-2026

Date of Award

October 2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Barbara Niedz

Abstract

Summary This doctoral project was designed to improve depression screening for adults in primary care by providing targeted staff education. The core issue was staff failure to utilize a standardized screening process. This resulted in inconsistent depression identification, delayed diagnoses, and large gaps in mental health care. The project addressed this gap in practice and planned to increase knowledge and engender more positive attitudes toward frequent depression screening with the PHQ-9 tool in nine staff members employed at a small outpatient clinic. Outcomes and changes in participants’ knowledge and attitudes about the PHQ-9 following training were assessed using pre- and posttraining questionnaires, descriptive statistics, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Posttraining knowledge scores increased from a mean of 3.22 (SD = 0.833) preprogram to 4.78 (SD = 0.441). This improvement was statistically significant Wilcoxon Z = –2.739, p = .006). The total attitude score rose from 22.22 (SD = 2.906) to 28.67 (SD = 2.121) (Z = –2.675, p = .007), reflecting stronger appreciation for consistent screening, team-based responsibility, communication, and follow up. The composite attitude survey score was created by combining six items reflecting staff knowledge, confidence, and consistent PHQ 9 screening practice attitudes. Qualitative findings suggested leadership support, heightened awareness of mental health equality and need for treatment management were important. This improvement impacts nursing by creating more consistent and evidence-based screening practices. The improvement also promotes positive social change by increasing equity, inclusion, and access to mental health care among diverse populations.

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