Date of Conferral
4-7-2025
Date of Award
April 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Dr Barbara Barrett
Abstract
Opioid misuse and overdose continue to pose a significant public health crisis in the United States, particularly among patients with a history of substance use disorder (SUD). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve healthcare staff knowledge regarding the safe and effective prescribing of opioids for pain management in patients with a history of illicit drug use. A staff education program was implemented at an outpatient clinic and evaluated using a pretest/posttest design with ten participants. The average knowledge score improved from 46% pre-intervention to 86% post-intervention, indicating a substantial increase in staff competence. The project supports the integration of evidence-based prescribing practices, the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), and non-opioid alternatives to enhance pain management, reduce opioid misuse, and promote equity and inclusion. The findings highlight the potential of targeted staff education to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes for a vulnerable and often stigmatized population, ultimately contributing to positive social change in the management of pain and opioid use.
Recommended Citation
Fagbamila Amanze, Kenny Adeshola, "Staff Education to Increase Knowledge of Safe and Effective Prescription of Opioids for Pain Management for Patients with Illicit Drug Use" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17554.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17554
