Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project addressed gaps in depression recognition among LGBTQ+ patients by implementing a targeted educational intervention for healthcare staff in a primary care clinic serving a large LGBTQ+ population. LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionately high rates of depression, yet missed screening opportunities and limited provider knowledge contributed to underdiagnosis at the project site. Guided by Kurt Lewin's Change Theory and the Plan‑Do‑Study‑Act (PDSA) model, the project used a quasi‑experimental pre‑/post‑design to evaluate changes in staff knowledge and self‑efficacy using the Learning Self‑Efficacy Scale (L‑SES). The training improved staff awareness of LGBTQ+-specific depression risk factors, enhanced confidence in screening and referral processes, and strengthened the availability of affirming mental health resources. Findings support the value of culturally responsive education in improving early identification of depression and reducing mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ patients.

Description

Virginia Lynn Waters, PhD., MBA, MSN, CNE-BC - Project Chair

Steve Lizano, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC- Mentor

Author Details

John D. Plasch, DNP(c), BSN, RN - 10 years of nursing experience. As of the posting of this material, working as a nursing consultant in geriatric nursing services. Previously worked in Transitional and long-term care. Worked in a Cariology Clinic. Nursing Leadership as a Director of Nursing in an Assisted Living setting. Worked in a hospital setting on Medical Surgical and Progressive Care Units.

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Quantitative Research

Keywords:

LGBTQ+, Mental Health of LGBTQ+ People, LGBTQ+ People, Depression, Mental Depression, Depression Recognition, Depression Referral

Advisor

Virginia Lynn Waters

Second Advisor

Steve Lizano

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Nova Southeastern University

Degree Year

2026

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2026-05-14

Full Text of Presentation

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