JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital behaviour change interventions have demonstrated effectiveness for smoking cessation and alcohol drinking reduction. Increasing their reach through acceptable proactive outreach to smokers and risky drinkers may increase the number of individuals who engage with evidence-based treatment.

Objective:

To describe a three-phase mixed-methods implementation study to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and reach of a proactive electronic message system to digital interventions using a hospital’s electronic health records system (EHR) to identify eligible patients.

Methods:

In Phase 1 we will conduct focus group discussions with patients and hospital staff to assess the overall acceptability of the electronic message system. In Phase 2 we will conduct descriptive analysis of the patient population in the hospital EHR regarding target risk behaviours and other person-level characteristics to determine the project’s feasibility and potential reach. In Phase 3 we will send proactive messages to patients identified as smokers or risky drinkers. Messages will encourage and provide access to behaviour change apps via an embedded link; the primary outcome will be the proportion of participants who click on the link to access additional information.

Results:

This study was funded by Cancer Research UK from April 2019 to March 2020. Health Research Authority (HRA) approval was granted in June 2019. Data collection was complete at the time of submission, but analyses had not been undertaken.

Conclusions:

This study aims to increase the reach of cancer prevention digital behaviour change interventions by implementing a proactive electronic message system for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction among a large, at-risk population identified through a hospital’s EHR. Increasing the reach of digital behavioural health interventions can improve population health by reducing the burden of preventable death and disease.