Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
11-10-2021
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Year Degree Awarded
2021
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
detoxification, opioid-dependence, relapse, prevention, recovery, withdrawal, stigma
Advisor
Dr. Gabrielle Abelard
DNP Project Chair
Dr. Gabrielle Abelard
Abstract
Background/Purpose: High readmission rates of individuals in need of opioid detoxification demonstrate that opioid detoxification alone may be insufficient to promote changes in behavior and prevent relapse. There is a critical need for improvement in treatment approaches along with efforts from healthcare professionals to lead opioid-dependent patients toward long-term recovery. Such a care improvement is feasible through the delivery of adequate education to providers regarding patients suffering from opioid addiction to facilitate a change in attitude and more effective treatment. Methods: Data collected through a pre-test survey assessed provider’s knowledge about opioid use disorder, the availability of screening tools, and their understanding of the need to use medication-assisted therapy for relapse prevention. A post-test survey was administered to evaluate the effectiveness of the project and its impact on providers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice. Results: The data analysis results revealed a change in knowledge and attitude among 24 participants as evidenced by 83.3% of providers strongly agreeing that they gained more knowledge; four participants (16.7%) agreed while 20 others (83.3%) strongly agreed that patients with opioid dependence should receive referrals to maintenance programs for relapse prevention. The mean scores were greater on the post-test compared to the pre-test in tested areas. Conclusion: Educating providers about the importance of medication-assisted treatment may facilitate improvement in care through a change in attitude and increased support for patients affected by opioid dependence.
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