Date of Conferral
3-25-2025
Date of Award
March 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Cassandra Taylor
Abstract
This doctoral project was a staff education initiative to address medication nonadherence among psychiatric patients, a critical issue impacting clinical outcomes, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs. The practice problem stemmed from the inconsistent use of evidence-based strategies by nursing staff, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address this gap. Addressing this issue is vital to improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing the delivery of evidence-based nursing care. The practice-focused question guiding the project was whether providing education to nursing staff on evidence-based strategies for medication adherence would improve their knowledge and confidence. The project aimed to enhance nursing staff’s ability to implement interventions such as motivational interviewing, teach-back methods, and shared decision-making. Analytical strategies included pre- and post intervention assessments of a 13-member nursing team, with descriptive statistics and paired t tests used to evaluate changes in knowledge levels of medication adherence strategies. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in posttest scores, with a mean increase of 3.07 points and a 99% confidence interval of [2.20, 3.96], affirming the effectiveness of structured educational interventions in addressing gaps in nursing knowledge. Recommendations include ongoing training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles to ensure equitable care for diverse patient populations. The implications for nursing practice include enhanced competency in patient-centered care, improved adherence outcomes, and reduced health disparities. This project supports positive social change by addressing systemic barriers and promoting equitable, evidence-based psychiatric care.
Recommended Citation
Tioko, Doris, "Staff Education to Improve Knowledge of Evidence-Based Strategies for Medication Adherence" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17527.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17527
