Publication Date
Spring 2026
Document Type
Research Paper
Primary Faculty (Chairperson)
Dr. Brenda Senger
Secondary Faculty
Dr. Carol Kottwitz
Abstract
Background: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are severely disabling conditions requiring ongoing pharmacological management. Rates of medication nonadherence among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder are high and strong evidence exists for the benefits of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) over oral antipsychotics. Despite this, only 10% of patients in Washington State with schizophrenia spectrum disorders are administered longacting injectable antipsychotics. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to measure change in provider’s confidence in prescribing LAI for hospitalized patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders following one-on-one motivational information (MI) style informational/discussion sessions coupled with a prescribing reference. Methods: This quality improvement project surveyed provider’s perceived confidence in initiating conversation with patients about LAI, confidence in having difficult conversation with patients about LAI, and confidence in prescribing LAI medications pre and post intervention. Rates of LAI administration during admission among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were measured pre and post intervention. Findings showed an increase in the percentage of LAI administered but failed to demonstrate statistically significant change in rate of LAI prescribing. Provider confidence remained unchanged. A majority of providers rated the prescribing reference to be useful. Conclusion: Lengthier and multi-pronged provider focused interventions or patient focused interventions must be explored to increase the rate of LAI administration for hospitalized patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
McCluskey, Rachel, "Measuring Provider Confidence in Using Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Hospitalized Adults with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice. 15.
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/nursing_dnp/15
Supplemental Poster