Teen Preferences for Clinic-Based Behavior Screens: Who, Where, When, and How?

Abstract

Purpose: Previous research examining computer-based adolescent risk behavior screening was done before widespread adoption of smartphones and merits updating.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey among 115 adolescents seeking primary care age 12-18 years. It is a diverse sample with 59% female, 51% white, 18% African-American, and 27% Latino. Respondents were asked level of comfort and honesty (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) when answering health behavior questions by paper, interview, or electronic device. Differences in the level of agreement were tested using a Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results: Adolescents reported a higher level of comfort and honesty for screening conducted via electronic device versus paper (90% vs. 57%, p < .001; 89% vs. 61%, p < .001). Sixty-two percent adolescents prefer waiting room electronic screening versus at home (4.7%) or by provider in the examination room (11.2%).

Conclusions: Electronic same-day risk behavior screening is the preferred method for adolescents and should be incorporated into preventive services.

Keywords: Adolescent medicine; Electronic health records; Preventive screening; Technology.