Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Patricia A. Schweickert

Abstract

Over 26 million U.S. citizens have a form of arthritis; osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form. Self-efficacy (SE) is defined as a psychological construct which identifies an individual's confidence when performing a behavior. SE is deemed a vital judge of self-management (SM) in those with OA. The purpose of this evidence-based practice, quality improvement project was to improve SE in OA patients. The identified gap in nursing practice was the lack of SE in OA patients. The project question asked whether a toolkit with information regarding SE in OA can improve SE of management of disease-associated symptoms in adults with OA as evidenced by improved Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) scores pre- to post-program. Concepts and theory used to inform the doctoral project were SE, pain, SM and OA, and Bandura's theory of SE. The sources of evidence were obtained from a variety of peer-reviewed journals related to OA management, and the outcome was measured using the ASES. Thirty-five participants (16 males and 19 females) with a mean age of 62 from a physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic in San Antonio, Texas participated in the project. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders 2015 Handout on Health: OA was used as the SE OA toolkit. Mean scores from pre- and post-program were tabulated and compared to determine the outcome. Results showed improved ASES levels by 11.84%. Implications for nursing practice and positive social change include the enhancement of SE levels, which can improve compliance in SM by use of a toolkit and further as policy implementation for OA patients to improve SE and SM abilities.

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