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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Jul;69(1):157-161.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.09.037. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Pediatric Primary Care Provider Perspectives on a Computer-Facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention System for Adolescent Substance Use

Erin B Gibson  1 , John R Knight  2 , Jordan A Levinson  3 , Lon Sherritt  4 , Sion K Harris  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Pediatric Primary Care Provider Perspectives on a Computer-Facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention System for Adolescent Substance Use

Erin B Gibson et al. J Adolesc Health. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to elicit pediatric primary care providers' (PCPs) feedback on the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a tablet computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention (cSBI) system for adolescent substance use in their practices.

Methods: We trained PCPs at five Boston area practices and enrolled their 12- to 18-year-old patients in a pilot randomized trial of cSBI versus usual care. PCPs completed an 18-item poststudy questionnaire. We computed frequencies and thematically coded open-ended responses.

Results: The analysis sample included 49 of 54 participating PCPs (90.7%). Overall, 89.8% of participants agreed the cSBI system was useful, and 81.6% reported increased confidence in providing brief counseling. Most useful were the immediate availability of screen results, talking points on substance use risks, and counseling prompts. Challenges included time and unfamiliarity with tablet computers. Many suggested electronic health record integration of cSBI to improve efficiency.

Conclusions: cSBI showed high acceptability and increased confidence among pediatric PCPs. Feasibility could be enhanced by electronic health record integration.

Keywords: Adolescence; Alcohol screening and brief intervention; Primary health care; SBIRT; Substance use disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.

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