Phase 1 involves identifying the optimal screening tools and approaches for capturing CDE data, programming the screening tools and CDEs into the Epic EHR, and soliciting stakeholder input regarding implementation strategies for screening and clinical interventions (including treatment referrals) to address substance use.
In the KTA framework, Phase 1 addresses the first steps in the action cycle, which are to identify, review, and select the tools that are to be implemented; adapt tools to the local context; assess barriers to use of the tools; and begin the process of implementation by programming these tools into the Epic EHR. We will accomplish these steps primarily through interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders. The information gained from stakeholders will be applied in an iterative process to develop a best-practice approach to screening patients, and to build the EHR tools (CDEs and CDS) that will be further tailored and tested in Phase 2, and then implemented in one clinic in Phase 3.
Research Questions and Aims
The research questions that Phase 1 seeks to address are:
- Where should screening and initial assessment occur, and who should administer the screening and assessment questionnaires?
- Is it better to screen for drugs only, or for drugs and alcohol, or for drugs, alcohol and tobacco? Should screening also include depression (e.g., PHQ2 and PHQ9)? Should screening be embedded in a broad behavioral health screen (e.g., a comprehensive health risk assessment such as My Own Health Report (30))?
The specific aim that corresponds to Phase 1 is Aim 1: To program the NIDA CTN CDEs and a lean decision support module into Epic. This phase will also define potential barriers and facilitators to the adoption of the CDEs and CDS, which is a component of Specific Aim 2.