Date of Conferral

10-26-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Sue Ellen

Abstract

Missed appointments remain a critical issue in health care, as they contribute to poorer patient health outcomes, treatment discontinuity, and increased system costs. Improving staff knowledge in this area is essential for ensuring timely, equitable, and effective patient care. This doctoral project was a staff education initiative designed to enhance community support workers (CSWs’) knowledge of methods for encouraging patient adherence to clinic appointments through psychoeducational training. The practice problem addressed was the inconsistency in staff use of evidence-based strategies to motivate and support patients in maintaining clinic attendance. The practice-focused question guiding the project was: Does psychoeducation improve CSWs’ knowledge of methods for encouraging patient adherence to clinic appointments? The purpose of the doctoral project was to strengthen staff competence in using motivational interviewing, cultural competence, and psychoeducational principles as tools to support adherence. Analytical strategies included a pretest and posttest to evaluate knowledge. The results indicated that knowledge increased in all categories (motivational interviewing 40% to 82%, cultural competence 55% to 88%, and psychotherapeutic principles 70% to 86%), demonstrating a reduction in the knowledge gap. On the posteducation evaluation survey, the CSWs reported high satisfaction with the training (92% rated it as very relevant), confidence in applying the knowledge (88% agreed they felt prepared to use the strategies), and a high likelihood of applying the skills in practice (85% reported intent to use the strategies in patient interactions). The project promoted social change through effective education to enhance staff knowledge and ability to support patients’ adherence to appointments and facilitate improved patient care.

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