Improving Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Depression: Implementation of Measurement-Based Care
Graduation Year
2025
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
First Advisor
Linda Hunter
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Second Advisor
Theresa “Terri” Loan
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Abstract
Depression is a common disorder that is associated with significant co-morbidity and reduction in quality of life, making it essential that empirically validated, comprehensive interventions be employed in the treatment of patients. Evidence suggests that the systematic clinical utilization of standardized assessment scales can improve outcomes among individuals with mental illness. However, data indicates that psychiatric practitioners tend to underutilize this particular method of intervention. This project implemented a measurement-based care process utilizing the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale with the goal of reducing symptom severity and increasing the frequency of remission among patients diagnosed with a unipolar depressive disorder. The clinical setting was a small psychiatric practice located in northeastern Kentucky. The time frame for this practice improvement plan was 12 weeks, and a one-group pretest-posttest design was utilized. Outcomes measured included scale administration rate, frequency of evidence-based plan of care changes, rate of remission, and average instrument score. Results indicated that participating prescribers administered the scale twice to 62 patients, exceeding the target number of 50. Among patients scoring an 18 or greater on the instrument, clinicians made an evidence-based plan of care change 96.6% of the time. Average MADRS score decreased from 21.16 to 14.52, which was statistically significant. There was also a significant increase in the frequency of remission status. Collectively, these findings suggest that implementation of MBC at the organization was correlated with clinically meaningful improvement in treatment outcomes among patients diagnosed with depression.
Copyright
2025 Timothy R. Taylor
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Timothy R., "Improving Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Depression: Implementation of Measurement-Based Care" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 115.
https://encompass.eku.edu/dnpcapstones/115
IRB Approval Number (if applicable)
6127
