Date of Conferral
2-20-2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
ANNIE Hubbard
Abstract
page This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) study filled a practice gap in an outpatient mental health clinic by increasing staff understanding of the PHQ-9 screening tool for teenagers and young adults undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. The project sought to answer the following practice-focused question: will teaching staff about the PHQ-9 increase knowledge? A staff education program was developed and implemented to address this gap, with professional persons examining and approving the content before it was distributed. Twelve voluntary clinical staff members attended a sixty-minute in-person educational session, which was followed by a ten-question multiple-choice pre/post-test to assess knowledge acquisition. Post-test results indicated an improved grasp of the PHQ-9's benefits. A paired t-test showed significant improvement in knowledge (t = 9.44, p = 0.0025, p < 0.05). These data suggest that providing systematic staff education increases knowledge and use of evidence-based screening tools like the PHQ-9. The initiative highlights the importance of ongoing training to improve mental health screening procedures. Future recommendations include expanding screening approaches to cover a larger patient population and continuing staff development efforts. This project improves patient outcomes, enhances nursing practice, and promotes positive societal change by fostering inclusivity, equity, and diversity in mental health care.
Recommended Citation
Gbadehan, Florence O., "Staff Education on Advantages of Administering PHQ-9 Screening to Adolescents and Young Adults Receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy in an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17316.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17316
