Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Lisa Morgan

Committee Chair School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Member 2

Dr. Anita Greer

Committee Member 2 School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this doctoral project is to enhance the understanding and application of pharmacogenetic testing among inpatient psychiatric clinicians. In addition, it proposes a guideline for PGx use in patients who have been hospitalized for a duration exceeding 90 days. In modern mental health care, psychotropic medications are extensively prescribed in the treatment of numerous mental health conditions. However, the use of psychotropic medications raises concerns among patients regarding their effectiveness and possible adverse reactions, leading to a lack of adherence to therapy. Over the past two decades, researchers have been exploring the effects that genetic variants have on the metabolism and response to drugs. Pharmacogenomics is an area of study whose principal objective is the investigation of how genes impact drug responses. Research findings suggest that the utilization of this methodology may improve pharmacotherapy and reduce the incidence of adverse drug reactions through the customization of treatment to an individual's genetic makeup.

The doctoral project was performed at a mental health facility located in Meridian, Mississippi. The target population for this project is mental health clinicians, primarily psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, employed at the site. The participating clinicians received an educational session on pharmacogenomic testing. A pre-survey and post-survey design was used to evaluate existing viewpoints and determine the degree to which the project goals were accomplished. The doctoral project leads developed an educational PowerPoint® to inform clinicians about the benefits of integrating pharmacogenomic testing into their professional practices. A comparison of pre and post-survey data indicated that the educational presentation was successful. Furthermore, a proposal for a standardized guideline for genetic testing was introduced and accepted, which would apply to patients who have been hospitalized for more than 90 days and have experienced intolerable adverse effects from prior psychiatric medication or have failed to respond to at least one adequate course of treatment.

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