e-IBA: Development of new technology to reduce adolescent alcohol use

Background: The SIPS Jr. Research programme (1) is funded by the NIHR to screen for alcohol use and deliver effective brief interventions to 14-17yr olds presenting to Emergency departments. Ongoing Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) work has identified a need for paperless screening / baseline data collection and an enthusiasm for interventions based on mobile technologies. Two recent systematic reviews by the research team (Patton et al, 2014; Donovan et al, 2014) support the use of such technology to identify and intervene with adolescent drinkers (2, 3). Description: Together with a specialist software development company we have developed a bespoke data collection / participant management tool for the iPad which is currently being used as part of an ongoing RCT (4), with data being collected from 10 Emergency Departments in England (London, Hull and the North East). This method of data collection has already demonstrated considerable cost savings and is popular with participants and research staff (over 6000 participants recruited to date in the current trial and earlier prevalence study). We have developed an interactive WebApp to reduce alcohol consumption and related harm among adolescents. This works in conjunction with the data collection tool to provide personalised feedback to users, to record ongoing consumption and to provide access to information and advice presented in an engaging and age appropriate format. Conclusion: Both the Research Tool and e-intervention have been developed and refined by the research team working collaboratively with the Web Developer, PPI groups and local youth organisations. The use of this technology is effective and cost effective.