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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01427829

Computer-assisted Psychosocial Risk Assessment (CaPRA) for Refugee Health and Settlement

The purpose of this study was to examine preliminary effect of Computer-assisted Psychosocial Risk Assessment tool (CaPRA) among Afghan refugees visiting medical professionals (family physicians or nurse practitioners) at a Community Health Center. The investigators examined the tool's acceptability among patients and its impact on patient satisfaction and patient intention to visit a psychosocial counselor as a proxy of potential to integrate medical and social care.

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Key information

Conditions

Computer Decision Support System Primary Care Psychosocial Refugees Screening

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

The recent waves of refugees to Canada belong to regions of prolonged conflict and, thus arrive in compromised state of mental, physical, and social health. This complexity asks for provision of integrated medical and social care to newly arrived refugees. With this aim, a university-community initiative developed a Computer-assisted Psychosocial Risk Assessment tool (CaPRA) in Dari/Farsi for Afghan refugees. This innovative eHealth approach is first of its kind for Canadian refugees accessing primary care. In this model of care, patients complete an interactive multi-risk iPad computer survey in their own language before seeing the provider. The computer then generates individualized recommendation sheet for patients and a risk-report for providers at the point of care. The tool was developed through a collaborative process by working with Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services and advisory board with community representatives.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Afghan refugee patients
  • Over 18 years of age
  • Speak and read Dari /Farsi or English language
  • Eligible for federal or provincial health care program
  • Visiting a participating medical practitioner

Exclusion criteria

  • Patient visiting a provider who has not consented for the study
  • Patient accompanied by a family member for interpretation
  • New patients
  • Patients unable to receive study details due to logistical issue (e.g, no private room)

Treatment and study plan

Computer-assisted Psychosocial Risk Assessment (CaPRA)

Behavioral

The study intervention was a touch-screen self-assessment survey which eligible patients completed on a touch-screen iPad in Dari/Farsi language while waiting to see their medical practitioner. The Computer-assisted Psychosocial Risk Assessment (CaPRA) survey had questions on psychosocial risks (e.g., alcohol, tobacco and street drug use, sexual health, personal violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and food insecurity), cardiovascular risks (e.g., physical activity, weight, diabetes, and hypertension), road and home safety, stress buffers (e.g., coping and social support) and sociodemographics. The tool generated two tailored print-outs at the point of care. The recommendation sheet for patients summarized their disclosed risks in simple Dari/Farsi language along with contacts of relevant services. The risk-report for medical practitioner summarized patients' risks with possible referrals. This was attached to the medical chart prior to the consult.

Primary outcomes

  1. Patient intention to visit a psychosocial counselor

    Time frame: July to October post-visit

    Patients completed a paper-pencil Exit Survey in the intervention (CaPRA) and control (usual care) groups

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient satisfaction

    Time frame: July to October post-visit

    Patients completed a paper-pencil Exit Survey in the intervention (CaPRA) and control (usual care) groups

  2. Patient acceptability

    Time frame: July to October post-visit

    Patients completed a paper-pencil Exit Survey in the intervention group (CaPRA)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Toronto

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Computer-assisted Psychosocial Risk Assessment (CaPRA) for Refugee Health and Settlement - Evaluation Phase

Acronym: CaPRA

Important dates

Study start
2010
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Sep 2, 2011
Registry last updated
Sep 2, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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