Date of Conferral

8-11-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Donna Bailey

Abstract

The utilization of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications has skyrocketed over the past 5–8 years, with an average weight loss of 15–21% of initial weight. Unfortunately, not all providers offer evidence-based patient education when starting a GLP-1 medication for the treatment of obesity. A practice gap I have identified is the lack of consistent evidence-based education providers utilize when prescribing GLP-1 for obesity treatment in the primary care setting. The project site was a hospital-based primary care clinic located in a suburban community in Washington. This staff education aimed to evaluate whether a standardized, evidence-based educational tool on GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment improves primary care providers’ knowledge and understanding of appropriate prescribing practices compared to existing nonstandardized educational approaches. The practice-focused question was whether implementing a standardized educational tool enhances providers’ ability to deliver consistent, comprehensive patient education regarding the use of GLP-1 medications for obesity management. Three providers completed pre- and posteducation assessments, measuring the impact of an evidence-based educational tool as a reference for providers. A paired t test showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge with p value of 0.02, underscoring the value of evidence-based provider educational tools. The project demonstrated that an evidence-based educational tool can improve providers' knowledge of GLP-1 medications and appropriate prescribing practices. By educating providers and making obesity treatment the norm, it is possible to reduce stigma, improve access, and change perceptions of obesity, supporting social change.

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