Implementing a Mobile Health System to Integrate the Treatment of Addiction into Primary Care

A recent study carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health examined the use of mobile health technology in the United States’ health care system.

Published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research the paper, Implementing a Mobile Health System to Integrate the Treatment of Addiction into Primary Care: A Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study details a comprehensive exploration of the way in which mHealth could help integrate addiction treatment in primary care.

The study implemented an evidence-based mHealth system named Seva. This was introduced sequentially over 36 months to a maximum of 100 patients with substance use disorders (SUDs).  

Three healthcare sites were selected with a total of 268 patients taking part in the study. Using funding from a National Institute on Drug Abuse grant patients participating in the trial were given mobile phones and data plans to enable them to access the app and features that required connectivity.

The app itself allowed patients to access a discussion board, interactive modules to teach problem solving, tools for coping with cravings and "high-risk situations". 

Those who took part and accessed Seva were shown to have,

"significant improvements in their risky drinking days (44% reduction), illicit drug-use days (34% reduction), quality of life, human immunodeficiency virus screening rates, and number of hospitalizations."

The study also suggested patients were more likely to adopt use of the app than clinicians and that the app provided new ways to benefit from peer support.

This research will provide useful evidence for those hoping to implement mHealth solutions when treating SUDs - something which is already widely accepted in other areas of treatment such as diabetes management or other chronic conditions.