Date of Conferral
8-17-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Susan Huehn
Abstract
This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project implemented a staff education initiative to improve medication adherence among adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a private outpatient psychiatric and mental health practice. Medication nonadherence remains a significant barrier to effective depression treatment and is associated with symptom relapse, increased healthcare utilization, and poorer patient outcomes. Evidence supports provider education as an effective strategy for improving adherence-related practices. The project examined whether a targeted educational intervention could improve staff knowledge and confidence in promoting medication adherence over a 12-week implementation period. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, the intervention included staff training, counseling guides, reference materials, and patient education resources designed to promote consistent adherence counseling during routine care. Project outcomes demonstrated improvements in staff knowledge, confidence, and consistency in providing medication adherence education. These findings suggest that a structured staff education program is a practical and sustainable quality improvement strategy for strengthening evidence-based practice and supporting better treatment outcomes for adults with major depressive disorder. By enhancing staff competency and standardizing evidence-based patient education, the project supports quality improvement efforts and contributes to improved care for adults living with major depressive disorder.
Recommended Citation
Eta, Judith Timbui, "Staff Education for Medication Adherence Among Adults With Major Depressive Disorder in a Private Outpatient Psychiatric and Mental Health Practice" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20710.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20710
