Date of Conferral

4-2-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Catherine Fant

Abstract

Medication and lifestyle nonadherence remains a persistent and costly problem within healthcare systems and represents a critical gap in nursing practice. Approximately half of adults prescribed long-term medications do not adhere to recommended regimens, contributing to poor disease control, preventable hospitalizations, increased mortality risk, and substantial healthcare expenditures. These challenges are particularly pronounced in outpatient mental health settings, where symptom burden, cognitive impairment, treatment complexity, and social determinants of health further compromise adherence. Addressing medication and lifestyle nonadherence aligns with nursing priorities related to patient safety, quality improvement, and health equity. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on the development and expert appraisal of a standardized clinical practice guideline (CPG) designed to improve adult patient adherence to prescribed medications and recommended lifestyle changes in an outpatient mental health clinic. The practice-focused question guiding this project was the following: What evidence, based on content expert review using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument (AGREE II tool), supports the quality and usability of a clinical practice guideline to improve medication adherence and lifestyle changes among adults in an outpatient mental health clinic? The purpose of the project was to synthesize best available evidence and determine readiness for translation into practice. A structured expert appraisal (N =4) using the AGREE II instrument determined the CPG to be satisfactory for use. Anticipated impact includes consistent nursing practice, improved patient engagement, and reduced preventable healthcare use, through standardized, evidence-based adherence support.

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

 
COinS