Implementing Motivational Interviewing and Psycho-Education to Improve Medication Adherence Among Patients With Schizophrenia

This quality improvement staff education Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) project was implemented to address the quality issue related to medication nonadherence in patients with schizophrenia. Medication nonadherence is a major health issue facing psychiatric patients, with studies showing high rates of nonadherence among patients with schizophrenia. Nonadherence to treatment heightens the risk of relapse, rehospitalization, suicide, and early death. This staff education project focused on increasing the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals about evidence-based strategies to improve medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia. Five nurses participated in the education program. The participants completed the pretest prior to participating in the program and a posttest after the program. I placed the data from the pretest and posttest in an Excel spreadsheet and computed the mean and t test using the Microsoft Excel statistical analysis program. The knowledge assessment pretest mean was 4.24, the posttest mean was 9.45, and the p value was .01. The attitude assessment pretest mean was 2.56, the posttest was 4.31, and the p value was .02, indicating strong agreement and development of positive attitudes. The overall statistical findings reveal improvement in staff knowledge, competence, and attitudes toward addressing the problem of medication nonadherence among schizophrenic patients. The potential implications for nursing practice include promoting person-centered care, decreasing relapses, and promoting long-term patient engagement. I recommend presenting the program to all new nurses. The project also promotes positive social change by supporting the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion by improving the provision of care to a vulnerable patient population.