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

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. (c) 2020 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that the cSBI system was considered useful by the majority of pediatric primary care providers, with positive feedback on aspects such as immediate availability of screen results, substance use risk talking points, and counseling prompts. Challenges included time constraints and lack of familiarity with tablet computers. Many suggested integrating cSBI into electronic health records to enhance efficiency.