Guillermo Suarez, MSN, APRN-BC

Use of Structured Educational Programs Directed to Healthcare Providers to Improve Patients' Adherence to CKD Medications.

Tags: Kidney Disease Nurse Education public health

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents a significant public health challenge due to its progressive nature, associated comorbidities, and increasing prevalence in the United States. One of the critical barriers to effective CKD management is poor patient adherence to prescribed medication regimens. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured educational program for healthcare providers in a South Florida medical center to improve medication adherence among CKD patients. Guided by Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory, the project utilized a pre-posttest quasi-experimental design to evaluate changes in provider knowledge and perceived confidence in managing medication adherence. The intervention included an evidence-based educational PowerPoint presentation targeting healthcare professionals—physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and medical assistants—who care for CKD patients. Participants (n = 21) completed a pretest to assess their baseline knowledge, attended the educational session, and then completed a posttest to evaluate the improvements. Data analysis showed a marked increase in posttest scores and self-reported confidence, with 81% of participants demonstrating enhanced understanding of CKD medication adherence strategies. Results support the efficacy of provider-directed educational programs in promoting adherence behaviors in CKD patients through improved communication, individualized care planning, and consistent follow-up. The project underscores the importance of providing education in addressing non-adherence medication and serves as a scalable model for other chronic disease management initiatives. Findings were disseminated to institutional stakeholders and prepared for publication to encourage broader implementation. Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease, medication adherence, healthcare providers, educational intervention, DNP project, Patricia Benner, structured education, patient outcomes