Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
9-29-2026
First Advisor
Sandy King
Second Advisor
Jason Weger
Abstract
Weight gain is a frequent and clinically relevant side effect of antipsychotic medication. A needs assessment at the project site found that roughly 55% of patients on an antipsychotic treatment had clinically significant weight gain, and providers had no formal training on how to prevent and manage this. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if a provider-focused educational intervention is effective in increasing provider confidence and decreasing antipsychotic-induced weight gain in adult psychiatric patients. This quantitative, one-group pre-post design utilized Lewin's Change Theory and Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. It was conducted at an outpatient psychiatric clinic in South Texas for 12 weeks. Six providers completed the pre- and post-intervention of an adapted Grundy Confidence Scale. Pre- and post- weight and BMI data were retrieved from the electronic health record for 12 patients to evaluate outcome after implementation. Analyses were performed using paired-samples t tests and Fisher's exact tests. Paired-samples t tests found statistically significant improvements in provider confidence, t(5) = 19.17, p < .001, and patients' weight, t(11) = 4.88, p < .001, and body mass index, t(11) = 4.95, p < .001, while patients with clinically significant weight gain reduced from 66.7% to 16.7%, but it was with a moderate mean weight gain (2.44 kg, p < .001). Lewin’s Change Theory guided project implementation and sustainability. Structured provider education significantly increased confidence and decreased significant weight gain. Incorporating a structured provider education on antipsychotic medication management will improve care and reduce rehospitalization.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Emego, Anthony, "Quality Improvement Project: The Impact of Provider Education on Antipsychotic Medication Side Effects" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 385.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/385
