Date of this Version

2024

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Children with chronic conditions experience the burden of physical manifestations and are simultaneously at an increased risk for compromised mental health. Due to the known correlation between mental health and chronic conditions, the role of healthcare providers caring for these patients is crucial to ensuring they get screened appropriately and receive the care they need. Research has demonstrated a significant relationship between epilepsy and comorbid mental health diagnoses, with up to 50% of adolescents with epilepsy having one or more comorbidities. This Quality Improvement project aims to address the following critical question: In healthcare providers, does the implementation of an educational intervention result in improved knowledge and more positive attitudes toward assessing anxiety and/or depression in patients with epilepsy? This project utilized a quasi-experimental design involving a pre-and-post survey and the implementation of an education intervention. The pre-and-post survey consisted of 15 questions regarding signs and symptoms of mental health, prevalence, common comorbid conditions, proper screening tools for anxiety and depression, and treatment for mental health conditions. The pre-and-post survey were provided via Qualtrics which was accessed through a QR code placed on the Flyer that was distributed throughout the Neurology unit (5T) at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. There was an overall 77% improvement in scores when comparing knowledge levels in the pre-and-post-survey. A paired t-test was also performed which showed a statistically significant difference in scores after implementation of the educational tool. The results demonstrate that educating healthcare providers on the importance of mental health can improve patient quality of care and decrease mental health stigma.

Download

Share

COinS