DNP Essentials Application to Clinical Scolarly Project

DNP Essentials Application to Clinical Scholarly Project
A study presented by
Brandman University
Irvine, California
8 April 2017
Introduction
The CSP topic was, using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to lower patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ - 9) scores in adult females diagnosed with depression. CBT has previously been used to manage depression in different demographic groups and the PHQ-9 tool measures depression, while the higher scores indicate the severity of depression and depressive symptoms. The psychological wellbeing of the patients improved after the CBT intervention was utilized as evidence by the lower PHQ-9 scores (Thibodeau & Asmundson, 2014). This paper highlights how the first four (4) AACN (2006) DNP essentials are applicable in the project and future practice.
Essential 1: Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
The scientific foundation competencies require that the advanced practice nurses be able to use data and evidence to improve nursing practices. In the scholarly project, data collected and analyzed to determine whether CBT was effective in reducing PHQ-9 scores an indication of low depression and improved mental wellbeing. In integrating the use of interventions to improve patient health and the quality of outcomes nurses analyze and utilize evidence in making decisions (AACN, 2016). The scientific underpinnings for practice is applicable in the project and nursing practice as CBT intervention was identified as an effective strategy to reduce depression. Similarly, in nursing practice relying on strategies previously identified to improve health care delivery. Outcomes were evaluated based on reported scores of depression using the PHQ-9 score changes prior and after using CBT.
The scientific underpinnings include fields like biology, ethics, nursing, physiology and psychology, and what is considered scientific is questioned to determine its value in practice. The CSP enhanced the first essential competency and I considered the methodological strengths and weaknesses of the research articles and sources of information. In future, this will influence my decision to utilize scientific studies since evaluating biases and assumptions was essential to identifying whether the study findings were worthwhile. Even when the research tackles the same topic the findings cannot necessarily be utilized as the basis for practice if there are concerns that the study did not rely on best evidence.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been utilized in psychology and therapists use different interventions depending on how appropriate they are when addressing client needs. Nurses care for patients and reducing the risk of depression is associated with better health outcomes. I will draw upon knowledge of sciences and humanities to inform my practice as this approach supports holistic care to address the spiritual, cultural, emotional and psychological aspects to health besides physical well being. The practice approaches with basis in other disciplines are backed with evidence and nursing theories to integrate them in the scholarly project. The scientific foundation competency is linked with conducting evidence, while using appropriate concepts and theories in practice approach. Even i...