Date of Conferral

3-13-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Mattie Burton

Abstract

For this doctoral project, I implemented a staff education program on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to address depression screening practices in a mental health clinic. The practice problem addressed was limited depression screening due to a lack of education on the PHQ-9. The project aimed to answer the question: “For staff in a mental health clinic, will an educational offering on the Patient Health Questionnaire improve knowledge towards the goal of increasing screening for depression among clients?” To evaluate the outcome, a pre- and post-knowledge-based assessment using a 10-question multiple-choice test was administered to 20 staff members, and the data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The results demonstrated that the average pretest score was 5.6 out of 10 (56%), and the posttest score increased to 8.9 out of 10 (89%). A paired t test revealed a statistically significant improvement in staff knowledge (t = 8.62, p < .001). The primary product of this project was a standardized PHQ-9 training module with recommendations for integration into staff onboarding and annual competencies. Statistical analysis indicated improved staff knowledge of PHQ-9 administration, screening consistency, and capacity for early mental health intervention, supporting alignment with national screening standards established by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The intervention equipped frontline staff with evidence-based screening competencies for depression identification in the target population, supporting organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives. Despite limitations including a small sample size and limited follow-up duration, the statistical findings support the potential for broader implementation in comparable healthcare settings.

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