Making it easier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services to screen for risky drinking and provide tailored feedback: adapting the Grog Survey App

April 2023
Staff: 

Professor Tanya Chikritzhs and Dr Annalee Stearne; Adjunct Associate Professor Kylie Lee

Other investigators: 

James Conigrave, Scott Wilson, Noel Hayman, Katherine Conigrave, Nikki Percival, Angela Dawson, Marguerite Tracy, Kirsten Morley, Michael Doyle, Michelle Fitts and Teagan Weatherall

Project description: 

Alcohol screening and brief intervention are effective in reducing risky drinking and related harms in general populations. Yet, many challenges make detecting risky drinking complex in First Nations Australian primary health care settings. Digital approaches could help address the sensitive issue of asking about clients’ drinking in primary health care. Digital platforms are also suited to scaling up, to reach the large number of individuals who attend primary health care services in Australia.

This study will deliver a valid, reliable and acceptable digital alcohol screening tool for First Nations Australians that is integrated into a commonly-used practice management software. Specific study objectives include:

  • Adapt the Grog App items for use in primary health care using the Delphi technique
  • Create a computer application that can automatically update clinical records, based on responses entered by clients into the Grog App
  • Work out how best to implement the Grog App into routine screening (and brief intervention) in a First Nations Australian primary healthcare setting, using continuous quality improvement, and
  • Test the performance and acceptability of the modified Grog App as a routine clinical screening tool.

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