Date of Conferral
7-30-2026
Date of Award
July 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Margaret Harvey
Abstract
This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project addressed the lack of standardized workflows and clinical confidence regarding geriatric mental health screening and safe antidepressant initiation at a rural primary care clinic. Utilizing the FOCUS-PDSA framework, a 15-minute staff education module and a clinical pocket guide were implemented to train Medical Assistants (MAs) on integrating PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screenings during triage, and to equip providers with EHR SmartPhrases and 2023 AGS Beers Criteria prescribing guidelines. A pre- and post-intervention 5-point Likert scale survey evaluated the knowledge and clinical confidence of the clinic staff (n = 12). Results demonstrated a marked improvement across all metrics. MA confidence in screening delegation rose from a pre-intervention mean of 2.1 to a post-intervention mean of 4.8. Provider confidence in safe SSRI prescribing increased from 2.2 to 4.5, and the ability to utilize EHR SmartPhrases improved from 1.8 to 4.9. By successfully integrating mental health evaluations without disrupting patient flow, the project highlights the value of interprofessional collaboration and targeted education in mitigating provider burnout while ensuring vulnerable elderly populations receive equitable, evidence-based mental health care.
Recommended Citation
Wu, Andy, "Staff Education to Improve Geriatric Mental Health Screening and Pharmacotherapy" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20482.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20482
