Date of Award
9-25-2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
College
College of Science and Health
First Advisor
Anne Sauri
Abstract
Aims: Substance use disorder (SUD) in anesthesia care providers (ACPs) has an approximate 10% lifetime risk of occurrence with high morbidity and 7-9% mortality. ACPs are in a safety-critical role and SUD is a serious issue which may expose patients and ACPs to increased risk of death or injury. ACPs are at higher risk of opioid abuse compared to other healthcare providers. There is an identified knowledge deficit regarding SUD care, and this study aims to assess the effectiveness of an infographic to educate on this topic. Design: Quasi-experimental, descriptive, digitally distributed voluntary response sample of actively practicing US CRNAs in a pre/post-test survey design. Method: This study explored the potential of a digital educational infographic intervention to improve CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) knowledge and confidence of the incidence, risk factors, signs, symptoms, and treatments of substance use disorder in anesthesia care providers as compared to the same CRNAs pre-educational intervention. Results: 141 CRNAs completed the survey; after viewing the infographic there was a statistically significant or highly significant increase in both mean knowledge and mean confidence scores across all survey items. Conclusion: An educational infographic effectively enhances CRNA knowledge and confidence in recognition of SUD in ACPs, which may reduce substance use disorder rates or impacts in either the educated CRNAs or their colleagues. Crucially, the increased confidence in referring colleagues for assessment and treatment may increase the likelihood of early intervention, which is linked to improved outcomes.
Copyright
Copyright © 2026 Patrick O'Carroll and Maeve Cavanagh
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
O'Carroll, Patrick and Cavanagh, Maeve, "Substance Use Disorder in Anesthesia Care Providers: Evaluation of an Educational Infographic" (2026). Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University. 143.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/theses-dissertations/143