Date of Conferral
5-8-2025
Date of Award
May 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corinne Romano
Abstract
The project was a staff education initiative focused on addressing a knowledge gap about bias for treatment of patients on controlled substances at the practice site. I aimed to fill this practice gap by developing an education program that delivered evidence-based methods to reduce bias. The practice-focused question was: Will a staff education project result in an increase in staff knowledge and awareness around implicit bias among patients who are taking controlled substances? The purpose of the project was to determine if a formal educational program could enhance the knowledge of the staff and decrease bias, which would lead to better and more uniform patient care. I used a quantitative approach in the project to evaluate the staff education program’s effectiveness. Quantitative data were collected by administering surveys to the participating staff before and after the educational program. The pre- and postintervention surveys (N = 4) showed a 55% improvement in knowledge scores related to substance use disorders, a 90% increase in bias awareness, an 80% increase in confidence and treatment, and 58% increase in knowledge of bias significance. Recommendations include the need for regular training updates and bias training for staff development and leadership support for creating an inclusive clinical space. This project works toward positive social change by supporting evidence-based practices in mental health care at an organizational level to reduce stigma and bias among staff. Addressing this issue is important in nursing practice to ensure the equitable treatment of all patients.
Recommended Citation
Amaechi, Macbarbara, "Staff Education on Bias Awareness" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17722.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17722
