Date of Conferral
12-15-2025
Date of Award
December 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Patricia Schweickert
Abstract
Abstract This Doctor of Nursing Practice project involved the development and quality appraisal of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for early depression screening in adults with opioid use disorder (OUD), addressing the absence of standardized, evidence-based screening protocols in addiction treatment settings. Guided by the practice-focused question of whether existing evidence supports the development and evaluation of such a guideline using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument, a systematic synthesis of 35 research articles was conducted, with 15 high-level studies informing guideline development. A multidisciplinary panel of four experts evaluated the CPG using the AGREE II tool. All six quality domains exceeded the established 70% benchmark, with standardized scores ranging from 72% to 96%, and the guideline received unanimous endorsement for clinical use based on global assessment ratings. Findings demonstrated strong methodological rigor, clarity of presentation, applicability, and stakeholder acceptability, confirming readiness for implementation. The guideline promotes standardized depression screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to facilitate early identification, timely intervention, and integrated mental health care within OUD treatment programs. Implications for nursing practice include enhanced delivery of holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care, improved treatment engagement, and strengthened interprofessional collaboration to improve outcomes for this high-risk population.
Recommended Citation
Versace, Ekaterina, "Early Depression Screening in Adults with Opioid Use Disorder" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18866.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18866
