Feasibility of a 2-Part Substance Use Screener Self-Administered by Patients on Paper: Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Measurement based care (MBC) utilizes patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) to screen for mental health symptoms and assess symptom change over time. While PROMs are increasingly being integrated into electronic health record systems, paper-based PROMs continue to be utilized, and it is unclear if electronic and paper administration are equivalent when a PROM was initially developed for electronic administration.Objective: This study aimed to examine the feasibility of a patient-administered two-part substance use screener, the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other substances (TAPS) screener, originally created for electronic administration, on paper in an urgent care behavioral health clinic within an urban, public safety net hospital. Methods:Research staff examined screener response patterns.Results: Out of the 507 new patients, 313 completed the TAPS (61.7%). Among those who completed the TAPS, 237 (75.7%) did not follow the instructions correctly, and most answered more questions than needed.Conclusions: When selecting PROMs for MBC it is important to consider necessary adaptations based on how the PROM will be administered.