Date of Conferral

7-16-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Dr. Catherine Fant

Abstract

The Doctor of Nursing Practice project was conducted to develop and assess a clinical practice guideline (CPG) to enhance medication adherence among adult patients with chronic illnesses in an outpatient setting. Adverse health-related outcomes include worsening chronic illness and developing complications, frequent hospital admissions, and rising costs of healthcare services. While some interventions are recommended based on the available literature, most outpatient facilities do not have systematic practices for monitoring and enhancing medication adherence among patients with chronic conditions. The evidence-based question was: What evidence, based on content expert review using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool, supports the quality and usability of a CPG to improve medication adherence and health outcomes in adult patients in an outpatient clinic? The guideline was assessed using the AGREE II tool with an overall score indicating satisfaction with the CPG. All the reviewers agreed to implement the guideline, but with changes, specifically those related to workflow, staff training, and leadership commitment. The implementation of the CPG has potential to improve medication adherence rates and patients’ health status, as well as ensure that the care provided consistently follows best practices. This project will strengthen evidence-based nursing with the development of an evidence-based guideline for clinical practices that can be implemented and duplicated in other outpatient settings. The tangible impact will come from providing health professionals with effective interventions that increase patient medication adherence, prevent complications, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

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