mHealth Feasibility: Assessing Oregon’s SBIRT App for Primary Care Self-Screening

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess the feasibility and usability of self-screening for risky substance use using the Oregon SBIRT app in a primary care setting. This project was conducted in the University of Arizona Telehealth Learning Center (TLC), a virtual clinic with professional participants.Background: Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) are gaining popularity in health management. Substance use interventions via mHealth improve access, especially for rural and underserved patients. Engagement with technology may reduce the stigma often reported with in-person exchanges. The Oregon SBIRT app is currently the only patient-facing app using the SBIRT method. Methods: TLC participants received an emailed disclosure form and link to a scheduled, recorded group Zoom session. After reviewing the project’s purpose, the SBIRT method, and the Oregon mHealth app, participants completed online surveys. Participants accessed the online Oregon SBIRT app using personal Internet-connected devices. Pseudonyms and fictional scenarios of substance use habits were used to protect privacy. Themes from subjective reports and validated measurements determined the feasibility and usability of the Oregon SBIRT app for self-screening in a primary care setting. Results: To be clinically feasible and useful, the Oregon SBIRT app requires a secure and easily accessible method to communicate app results. Participant feedback focused mainly on the challenges of managing multiple technologies in an online group setting. Conclusion: Quality improvement project design should not add unnecessary complexity or detract from the project's purpose. Remote videoconferencing may be inappropriate for trialing mHealth apps in a group but may be ideal for conducting focus groups.