Date of Conferral

3-5-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Mary Garner

Abstract

Summary This staff education project aimed to implement the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale for anxiety screening during routine patient visits. Integrating such tools into nursing practice is essential for early identification and timely intervention of anxiety disorders. The project investigated the effectiveness of staff education on the use of GAD-7 in enhancing the identification and management of anxiety in patients during routine visits. Its purpose was to equip providers with the skills to use the tool effectively, improving their ability to manage anxiety disorders. The practice focus question “Will an interactive educational program improve the knowledge of the use of the GAD-7?” Data on the NPs' knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices regarding anxiety screening pre and post the intervention were collected. The findings showed that all 15 nurse practitioners acknowledged the value and effectiveness of using the GAD-7 for anxiety screening after the educational sessions, with a significant increase in their confidence, 16.99%, and competence, 25%. The findings suggest that staff education enhances the use of screening tools in clinical practice, suggesting that similar initiatives should be implemented across different healthcare settings to foster early anxiety disorder detection. This approach benefits nursing practice by improving patient outcomes, strengthening nurse-patient. relationships, optimizing resource use, and promoting equitable mental health care, which helps reduce health disparities and supports holistic patient care.

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