Date of Conferral
8-17-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Susan Huehn
Abstract
This staff education project addressed a persistent gap in the delivery of integrated physical and mental healthcare for patients with co-occurring conditions. Fragmented care in primary care contributes to untreated mental health needs, increased patient distress, higher costs, and poor outcomes. The aim of this project was to develop, deliver, and evaluate a staff education program equipping nurses, nurse practitioners, and interdisciplinary team members with the knowledge, skills, and practical strategies needed to improve behavioral health integration in primary care. The practice question was, among interdisciplinary staff in a community health setting, did the implementation of an evidence-based, ADDIE-designed staff education program improve provider knowledge, confidence, and intent to apply behavioral health integration strategies? Ten scholarly articles were appraised using the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model. Key findings led to improved mental health outcomes, increased identification of mental health needs, and greater access to care. Important facilitators include co-location, warm handoffs, shared electronic health records, and leadership support. Barriers include workforce shortages, reimbursement limitations, and stigma. A staff education program was developed, including interactive workshops and modules on the rationale and benefits of integration, common barriers and facilitators, integration models, screening tools, and actionable implementation steps. Formative evaluation was done using expert content review, and summative evaluation was used pre/post knowledge quizzes, role-play checklists, and individual action plans. Results showed improvements in learner confidence and a clear intent to apply integrated practices. This project directly improves nursing practice by empowering nurses to prioritize whole-person patient care.
Recommended Citation
Atu, Nelly Endah, "Staff Education to Improve Behavioral Health Integration in Primary Care" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20705.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20705
