Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
2-23-2026
First Advisor
Lisa Drake
Second Advisor
Paige Wimberley
Abstract
High rates of missed appointments and unreliable follow-up remain a problem in outpatient opioid treatment clinics. This project improved the communication workflow at a methadone maintenance clinic by strengthening reminder systems and staff coordination. A needs assessment found several problems: appointment reminders were inconsistent, tracking was unreliable, and staff communication often relied on manual handoffs. The project was to test a technology-based workflow designed to improve staff communication and reduce missed appointments. The Technology Acceptance Model and Lewin’s Change Theory guided the change. The clinic implemented automated reminders, secure messaging, and clearer documentation to support daily communication. A pre-post evaluation design was used to assess outcomes. Eight staff completed short training sessions using Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcomes framework as the improved system was adopted into routine practice. Outcomes were tracked through anonymous survey data using the Technology Acceptability and Usage Survey (TAUS) and missed-appointment records, which showed a statistically significant decrease in missed appointments. Staff technology acceptance improved significantly (p < .001), with fewer missed appointments and more dependable communication, which helped clinic operations run more smoothly. The small sample size and brief follow-up period were limiting. These findings support the role of communication systems in improving operational reliability in outpatient opioid treatment settings and demonstrate a nursing-led quality improvement project.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Parsons, Jennifer, "Optimizing Patient Adherence Through Improved Technology-Based Communication by Enhancing Staff Efficiency at an Opiate Treatment Program Clinic" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 293.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/293
