JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The opioid crisis has significantly impacted adolescents and families. This is attributed in part to increased opioid prescriptions in pediatric Emergency Departments (EDs) due to acute pain and injuries. Although EDs frequently prescribe opioids, no preventative interventions have been implemented to educate adolescents and their families on safe opioid use. This study evaluates the MedSMA℞T Families intervention, which consists of a serious game and a personalized Family Medication Safety Plan (FMSP) with the aim to reduce opioid misuse. The MedSMA℞T Families intervention was developed to educate adolescents and adults prescribed opioids on safe practices such as opioid storage and disposal.

Objective:

This study aimed to characterize adolescents’ and parents’ perspectives on implementing the MedSMA℞T Families intervention in the ED to improve opioid education and safety among adolescents.

Methods:

A total of 93 participants, including 16 children and 77 parents, were recruited from the Pediatric ED at a tertiary academic hospital to play the MedSMA℞T game in the ED. A total of 16 participants, including 8 children and 8 parents, were followed up with interviews. Participants engaged with a serious game – Adventures in PharmaCity – and an FMSP. Data were collected through gameplay observation and 75-minute semi-structured interviews via Zoom. In-game data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis with NVivo 14.

Results:

Parents spent an average of 21 minutes playing the game, while children spent an average of 22 minutes. Families appreciated game design and noted usability challenges and suggested enhancements for more gameplay instructions. Participants reported increased knowledge of opioid safety, highlighted the importance of communication with healthcare providers, and suggested a mobile app for medication management. The FMSP was perceived as valuable for promoting awareness of safe practices and connected well to the knowledge gained from the game.

Conclusions:

The MedSMA℞T Families intervention was well received as a beneficial educational tool to educate adolescents and their families on safe opioid use. Additionally, it highlights the need for more accessible digital tools. This feedback indicates a strong interest in improving educational resources to ensure safe opioid management.