Date Available

4-23-2019

Year of Publication

2019

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advisor

Dr. Karen Stefaniak

Committee Member

Dr. Lacey Buckler

Co-Director of Graduate Studies

Dr. Michael Kindred

Abstract

Substance abuse is a significant problem that spans the nation. Of particular concern is the growing population of patients at UK HealthCare who have endocarditis as a complication from IV substance abuse.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were

  1. To assess the effect of narrative medicine combined with MAT, compared to MAT alone, on desire to use in hospitalized patients with a history of IV substance use
  2. To examine the changes in quality of life before and after the introduction of narrative medicine in hospitalized patients with a history of IV substance abuse using The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS).

METHODS: The study design was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of patients aged 18-60 years who were currently admitted with endocarditis due to IV substance abuse. The sample consisted of 22 patients who were hospitalized with infective endocarditis.

RESULTS: It was determined that regardless of time in the hospital, the treatment group had significantly higher QOLS (p=0.02). The overall DTU was lower in the treatment group (p=.002). The subsets of the DTU tool were all higher in the control group. Compulsivity (p=.004), expectancy (p=.003), emotionality (p=.003), and purposefulness (p=.006) were all higher in the control group.

CONCLUSION: The addition of narrative medicine was found to have a positive impact on decreasing desire to use and improving quality of life in hospitalized patients with a history of IV substance abuse and infective endocarditis. The results of this project will be used to standardize future treatment, including the addition of narrative medicine, to meet the medical and mental health needs of this patient population.

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