Date of Conferral
11-7-2025
Date of Award
November 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Barbara Gross
Abstract
Universal staff training to increase the validity and reliability of adolescent mental health screening was implemented in this quality improvement (QI) initiative. Depression and anxiety disorders often emerge between ages 12 and 17, yet evidence-based screening measures such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9/PHQ-9M) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) are underutilized due to provider knowledge gaps, workflow inefficiencies, and cultural barriers. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model, the project evaluated whether structured staff education improved early identification and diagnosis of adolescent depression and anxiety compared to routine practice. In workshops, web-based learning modules, case simulations, and supervised practice supported by electronic health record (EHR) prompts, twelve multidisciplinary clinical staff members—including nurses, nurse practitioners, therapists, and behavioral health specialists participated. Comparisons between the pre- and post-implementation periods showed notable improvements: among 86 adolescents screened within three months, screening rates rose from 35% to 78%, provider confidence increased by about 40%, and 24 new cases of anxiety or depression were found. These results show that structured education improves the competence, consistency, and confidence of providers in using validated screening tools, which leads to better adolescent mental health outcomes and more timely referrals. The project also reaffirmed the critical role that nurses play as change agents in enhancing care coordination and putting evidence-based screening into practice. Incorporating EHR-integrated workflows and structured staff training supports sustainability, complies with organizational quality standards, and encourages a preventive mental health culture in healthcare systems.
Recommended Citation
Sirri, Delphine, "Executive Summary: Quality Improvement Initiative Enhancing Early Identification of Adolescent Depression and Anxiety" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18621.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18621
