Nursing Commons^™

Adolescent Depression Management: An Inner City Federally Qualified Health Center Program Evaluation, Aurora Wernette

Culminating Experience Projects

Background: Within the state, approximately 119,000 adolescents aged 12-17 have depression, and it is estimated that 57.8% do not receive any mental health care (National Alliance on Mental Illness [NAMI], 2021).

Objectives: The purpose of this program evaluation is to evaluate the management of adolescent depression. This evaluation focused on adolescent depression screening rates, medication prescribing and adherence, counseling referrals and initiation, barriers to treatment, follow-up visits, and parent feedback about the care received.

Methods: All adolescents who did not have previously diagnosed depression or developmental delay were included in this program evaluation., A weekly manual chart review was used …

Creating Opportunities For Personal Empowerment: A Project Evaluation, Ann L. Cudney

Doctoral Projects

Introduction: 66% of individuals in the United States who experienced a major depressive episode in the last year saw a general practitioner or family doctor and not a psychiatrist or psychotherapist (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2018). Many primary care providers treat with medication, however, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is associated with better results (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, n.d.). A Midwestern faith-based healthcare organization implemented a pilot cognitive behavioral therapy program at a family medicine residency clinic to improve mental health care.

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to evaluate if the implementation …

The Effect Of The Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral To Treatment (Sbirt) Model On Adult Depression In An Outpatient Setting, Genevieve E. Sweeney

Doctoral Projects

Depression is one of the most common chronic conditions in the world. Despite this, depression continues to be under-screened, inaccurately assessed and diagnosed, and poorly treated in outpatient settings. Many providers solely rely on clinical judgement instead of a screening tool or evidence-based toolkit when a patient presents with depression symptoms, resulting in underdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Utilization of resources can help a provider appropriately screen, diagnose and treat an individual with depression. Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based model intended to improve these measures. Studies from the literature support the efficacy of the SBIRT model …

Introduction Of Auricular Acupuncture, Monica Lyons

Doctoral Projects

The overall purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess if there was an interest to add auricular acupuncture to a substance abuse program. The two guiding questions of the Doctor of Nursing Project were (a) how can auricular acupuncture be helpful when treating patients with substance abuse in a selected organization? (b) what information is needed for both staff and patients to make an informed decision regarding auricular acupuncture? The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) framework was used as the theory framework for implementation of evidence-based research into an organization. The facilitator in the …

Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Quality Improvement Project, Danielle Miller

Doctoral Projects

Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) vary widely in their symptom presentation and functional deficits, which can make management in the primary care setting challenging for providers (Morstedt, Corbisiero, Bitto, & Stieglitz, 2015). Measurement-based care is common in the management of medical disease, however is rarely used as standard practice in treatment of psychiatric disorders (Waldrop & McGuinness, 2017). As a result, treatment for psychiatric conditions, such as ADHD, may vary widely among clinicians and may result suboptimal treatment and patient outcomes (Waldrop & McGuinness, 2017). The proposed solution was to introduce the use of a standardized measurement tool …

Development Of A Depression Screening Protocol For At Risk Patients Based On The Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, Brittany J. Taylor

Doctoral Projects

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risk for adult depression. Utilization of the Patient Health Questionnaire Nine (PHQ-9), in combination with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSMV) criteria, aids in the diagnosis of comorbid depression and assessment of severity.

Objectives: To standardize the process of screening new adult patients at a specialty care clinic for ACEs. Then, implement a depression screening protocol based on ACE criteria to identify adult patients with comorbid depression.

Methods: Demographic, ACE score, PHQ-9 score, and protocol implementation data collected and analyzed by the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) …

Improving Depression Screening And Follow-Up In Primary Care Through Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Protocol, Cheryl Fowler

Doctoral Projects

Depression is a leading cause of disability in adults and is a major contributor to burden of disease (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) provides evidence-based recommendations to promote disease prevention. Among these, is the recommendation that all adults, regardless of risk factors, should be screened for depression in the primary care setting with adequate systems in place to allow for appropriate diagnosis and management (USPSTF, 2016). The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student project was to develop and implement an evidence-based protocol in the primary care setting with aims …

Improving A Midwestern Community Mental Health Organization's Smoking Treatment Services For Individuals With Serious Mental Illness, Leah J. Magnuson

Doctoral Projects

Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Billions of dollars are lost yearly in direct and indirect healthcare costs as well as lost work productivity due to smoking. While smoking rates have declined among those of the general population, they remain high among those with serious mental illness (SMI). Many of those with SMI desire to quit and are able to quit smoking when they are provided with appropriate interventions and resources. It is recommended for those with SMI to receive combined interventions in the form of pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to help …

Using The Rapid Assessment For Adolescent Preventive Services (Raaps) To Screen For Risk Taking Behaviors Of 13 To 18 Year-Olds In A Regional Family Practice Office, Megan E. Carpenter

Doctoral Projects

Risk-taking behaviors are a significant problem in the adolescent population and the three leading causes of mortality for adolescents are suicide, homicide, and unintentional injury (Heron, 2017). National organizations support screening for adolescent risk-taking behaviors and research demonstrates effectiveness of screening. This quality improvement (QI) project implemented the Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS) screening tool at a regional family practice office as a vehicle to accomplish the objectives of increased identification of, and intervention for, risk-taking behaviors in adolescent patients. Included in the methods were baseline and implementation chart reviews that were used to assess the change in …

Evaluation Of Short Term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention In A Primary Care Setting, Kevin Hengeveld

Doctoral Projects

Introduction: Depression and anxiety are chronic recurring medical conditions that impact all aspects of health. When depression and anxiety are present with other comorbid diseases, mortality and health care costs are higher. Children and young adults are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for this demographic. Depression is common in adolescents with an incidence of 8 to 20 percent. Primary care provides 70 percent of mental health care in the United States, and the primary intervention offered is pharmacological. Evidence suggests that a combination of medication and psychotherapy provide superior relief of …

Delirium: Elders Tell Their Stories And Guide Nursing Practice, Cynthia Mccurren, Sherill Nones Cronin

Peer Reviewed Articles

Delirium is one of the most serious and prevalent cognitive disorders among hospitalized elders. Fourteen elders participated in this phenomenologic study describing the "lived experience " of delirium from the patient's perspective. Implications for nursing practice are derived from their reality and insight.