Date of Conferral

2-12-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Jill Walsh

Abstract

The staff education project aimed to address the gap in practice regarding the use of the PHQ-9 depression screening tool in a primary care setting. The providers at the setting demonstrated variations in screening practices leading to potential missed opportunities for early depression identification and treatment. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project explored the question: “What is the effect of implementing a staff education program to improve staff knowledge to effectively implement changes that affect the use of the PHQ-9 screening tool to improve depression identification and treatment of adult patients in a primary care clinic?” This project aimed to enhance the multidisciplinary team's knowledge regarding the use of the PHQ-9 for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression. Eight primary care staff members participated in the project. A pretest-posttest design was used. Two 45-minute educational sessions using interactive learning strategies guided by the knowledge-to-action framework were offered. Descriptive statistics and the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to analyze the results. The results showed a significant improvement in staff knowledge, with an average knowledge gain of 79%. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant difference between the paired test scores at p < .05. All participants rated the education program as excellent, and 100% indicated they intended to change their practice behaviors. By providing comprehensive education on PHQ-9 screening, the project supports efforts to destigmatize mental health, promote equity in healthcare, and empower healthcare providers to more effectively address mental health concerns in primary care settings.

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