Improving Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners’ Knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Benzodiazepines for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent type of mental illness in the US. One type of anxiety disorder that is prevalent in adulthood is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This condition is characterized by excessive worry that has lasted for over 6 months. Other considerations in the diagnosis of anxiety include motor symptoms, such as trembling and restlessness. GAD is a significant burden on patients and reduces their quality of life. In addition, it contributes to the rise in the cost of health care in the country. Therefore, the appropriate management of the condition is important. Benzodiazepines were the earliest drugs that were used to manage GAD. Despite their effectiveness and tolerability, benzodiazepines can lead to dependence and have withdrawal effects that can exacerbate GAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy has also been used with much success to manage GAD. Ensuring that providers are knowledgeable in such areas is important for improving the management of GAD. This pretest and posttest project investigates a brief provider education on the combined approach to the management of GAD. The providers were given a brief presentation on the combined approach. They undertook a pretest to assess their knowledge of the management of GAD using the two methods. A posttest was also provided. The results indicate improved knowledge of GAD management following the delivery of the educational content