Date of this Version

11-20-2023

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Gambling is an emerging high-risk behavior on college campuses. College students are especially vulnerable to gambling due to social pressures and marketing specifically targeted at young adults. Gambling disorder (GD) is a psychiatric diagnosis that involves maladaptive, problematic gambling behavior that can lead to clinically significant impairment or distress. Healthcare clinicians (HCCs) play a crucial role in detecting signs of GD in their patients. Therefore, it is imperative that HCCs understand concepts that can guide the identification of GD and ensure that high-risk patients are provided with appropriate assistance. To address this, a quality improvement (QI) project to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors was implemented in a student health clinic at a public university in South Florida. A total of 26 staff members working in this student health clinic were included in this project. The results were analyzed and a significant increase in mean scores for knowledge, attitudes and behaviors following and evidence-based educational intervention was noted. Overall, there was a 25.56% increase in mean knowledge, 59.62% increase in mean attitude scores, and 90.37% increase in mean practice behavior scores when compared to baseline. A paired, two-tailed t-test was performed to determine statistical significance showing a result of p < 0.0001. The data shows that an evidence-based educational intervention is effective in enhancing knowledge and confidence when screening for and making treatment recommendations for GD. Based on the evidence and results of this project, future education should be implemented, and screening protocols incorporated in the college health setting.

Download

Share

COinS