Date of Conferral

4-1-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Niedz Barbara

Abstract

The project is a staff education initiative to address medication nonadherence in a behavioral health outpatient clinic. The practice-focused question underpinning this project was, Will a staff education program with essential components improve staff knowledge, skill, and attitudes, ultimately improving medication adherence among behavioral health patients in outpatient clinics? I sought to design, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based educational program that equips healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills to identify, address, and overcome barriers to medication adherence. I used both quantitative and qualitative analytical methods. The results demonstrate improvements, with the average knowledge score increasing from 62.75% to 96% postintervention. The attitude survey revealed significant positive shifts in staff perspectives toward medication adherence. Before the intervention, responses indicated hesitation and uncertainty in promoting medication adherence. Postintervention results show a marked improvement in staff confidence. The project has implications for nursing practice, as improved staff competency in medication adherence can lead to better patient education and reduced treatment failures. A key recommendation for site leaders is to implement a structured follow-up system that includes regular patient check-ins, adherence tracking tools, and multidisciplinary case reviews to ensure sustained improvements. This project may promote positive social change, including in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, by highlighting the importance of all patients receiving informed, high-quality care regardless of their background.

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