‘Somebody checking-in’: a qualitative study to develop a patient-centered digital healthcare technology for young adults in opioid use disorder treatment (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Young adults drop out of opioid use disorder treatment more often than older adults. Premature treatment drop-out substantially increases fatal overdose risk. Digital healthcare applications integrated within treatment can potentially engage young adults to self-monitor for drop-out risk factors. OBJECTIVE This pilot proof-of-concept study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of a patient-centered digital healthcare technology, AWARE (Awareness and Response to the Environment), designed to bring attention to treatment drop-out risk factors. METHODS In this formative research, a convenience sample of young adults (n=3) in methadone treatment, their counselors (n=3), and clinic leadership (n=2) were recruited from an opioid treatment program and interviewed to obtain feedback as AWARE was developed. In 8 semi-structured interviews, perspectives regarding barriers to treatment for young adults and AWARE utility were obtained. Concurrently, three dyads of young adults (n=3) and counselors (n=3) piloted the intervention daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS Young adults and counselors found AWARE relevant to their treatment experience and acceptable to complete over 4 weeks. The most frequently reported daily stressors were ‘the health and well-being of a family member,’ ‘being organized,’ and ‘having too many things to do without help.’ In qualitative interviews, counselors and clinic leadership reported that AWARE presented a relevant, new way to engage young adults daily, in addition to weekly counseling sessions. Young adults felt that AWARE offered a type of social support they lacked, like ‘someone checking in on them’. CONCLUSIONS Overall, young adult and counselor participants were able to engage in AWARE in a busy clinic environment, and participants and clinic leadership found it valuable. Further research is needed to refine the measures and methods of AWARE and evaluate its effectiveness. CLINICALTRIAL N/A