Improving Knowledge and Increasing Use of a Screening Tool in an Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic

Less than half of providers use screening tools to diagnose adult psychiatric patients. The bipolar population is specifically vulnerable to an inaccurate diagnosis. The goal of this project was to improve use of screening tools, specifically the HCL-32 in a rural adult psychiatric clinic. Following the end of the project, guidelines were analyzed to determine factors that could have improved the outcome. A pre-survey was administered to the 11 participating providers. Following the survey, a 10-minute educational session was given to each provider. Two months following the education, a post-survey was conducted. A chart review was completed to confirm post-survey results.