Date of Conferral
8-20-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corinne Wheeler
Abstract
The utilization of substance use disorder (SUD) screening tools at the practice site was inconsistent, contributing to limited identification and diagnosis of SUDs. The project was conducted at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in an urban region of Maryland that serves many patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The purpose of the project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a staff education program focused on the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10). The primary goal was to improve staff knowledge and understanding of the DAST-10 screening tool. A 14-item multiple-choice questionnaire was administered before and after the educational intervention to assess changes in staff knowledge. Pre- and post-test scores were analyzed using the normalized learning gain percentage formula. Among the 10 participants who completed both assessments, the mean score increased from 45% on the pre-test to 86.43% on the post-test, resulting in a normalized learning gain of 77.31%. These findings indicate that the educational program was effective in improving staff knowledge of the DAST-10 screening tool following delivery of the educational content. Recommendations include providing regular educational sessions to maintain staff knowledge and competency, incorporating diverse perspectives into staff training, and promoting equity in patient care. Ongoing education is essential for reinforcing clinical competencies, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering an inclusive healthcare environment that prioritizes patient well-being and equitable access to care. These initiatives can improve patient outcomes and contribute to positive social change by addressing systemic healthcare disparities and empowering healthcare providers to deliver culturally responsive, comprehensive, and equitable care.
Recommended Citation
Adu, Peters Olugbemiga, "Staff Education to Enhance Nurse Knowledge of Standardized SUD Screening Using the DAST-10 in an Outpatient Psychiatric Setting" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20485.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20485
