Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Dr. Linda Matheson

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to implement an educational program that provided psychiatric nurses with the knowledge and skills to engage patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in self-care management regarding medication and treatment adherence. The theory employed in the project was the educational theory. Evidence of effectiveness came from a pre- and postintervention assessment of nurses' knowledge and confidence in teaching about medication, along with a pre- and postassessment of knowledge gained as a result of the educational intervention. Pre- and posteducational rates of patient rehospitalization for medication nonadherence were compared. The results indicated a 15% rate of readmission of schizophrenia patients prior to the educational sessions. The 30-day readmission rate decreased to approximately 5% after the educational sessions. Based on these results, it was concluded that the educational project intervention had a positive impact on improving knowledge and insight of the nurses about nonadherence to medication among patients with schizophrenia. The positive social impact of improving nurses' knowledge of educating schizophrenic patients are increased patient well-being and reduced social costs associated with relapse and readmission. Recommendations from this project include that nurses should educate patients with schizophrenia on how to adhere to medication directives and the importance of doing so.

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