Author: Lida Shams
Shams, Lida, 2024 Digital health for substance use disorder treatment: Technology acceptance by drug and alcohol clinicians, Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering
Terms of Use: This electronic version is (or will be) made publicly available by Flinders University in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. You may use this material for uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material and/or you believe that any material has been made available without permission of the copyright owner please contact copyright@flinders.edu.au with the details.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent a pervasive public health challenge worldwide, with Australia experiencing significant prevalence rates, which was accelerated during the COVID-19 era. Despite the pressing need for effective treatment strategies, a persist treatment gap persists, underscoring the imperative for accessible and comprehensive interventions. In response to this challenge, digital health interventions have emerged as promising tools to bridge this gap, offering innovative solutions to enhance treatment accessibility and efficacy. However, the acceptance and utilisation of these digital health tools among Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) clinicians play a pivotal role in their effectiveness.
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the motivations, barriers, and facilitators that shape the adoption of digital health tools in the context of SUD treatment. This multi-disciplinary study does so by integrating the technology adoption and digital health literatures. The research employs an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey followed by statistical analysis via Structural Equation Modelling.
This study makes a significant theoretical contribution by developing a model for the adoption and effective design and utilisation of digital health technologies in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment environments. This model enables a comprehensive evaluation concerning the acceptability, feasibility, and clinically meaningful deployment of digital health technologies across drug and other drug clinicians grappling with substance-related health issues. Furthermore, it delineates strategies that facilitate the immediate implementation of interventions and the refinement of SUD treatment modalities by healthcare professionals. Given the rapid proliferation of digital health tools, new dilemmas have emerged, particularly concerning participant privacy and equitable access to these technologies. Consequently, it is essential to integrate ethical frameworks that instruct clinicians on navigating daily practice and technology design, aiming to mitigate potential adverse effects on these populations, thereby preventing the aggravation of health disparities.
Furthermore, this study enhances its theoretical contributions by applying psycho socio-technical factors (clinicians' self-efficacy, clients ' equity and access, etc.) to understand the dynamic interactions between social systems and technological innovations within SUD treatment environments. This perspective facilitates a deeper analysis of how digital health tools are embedded within and influenced by existing social structures, norms, and practices, and vice versa. It encourages the examination of digital health technologies not merely as isolated interventions but as components of a larger ecosystem that includes end users' behaviour, policy regulations, and clients t engagement. This holistic view aids in identifying leverage points for systemic change, ensuring that digital health interventions are both technically sound and socially responsive, thereby maximising their potential to contribute positively to SUD treatment outcomes.
This interdisciplinary lens highlights the importance of considering a wide array of perspectives in designing, implementing, and evaluating digital health technologies, thereby enhancing their relevance, accessibility, and impact on individuals experiencing substance dependency. Furthermore, the study offers practical implications by proposing strategic solutions to support the integration of digital health practices. These solutions emphasise the importance of enhancing accessibility, quality, and efficiency in healthcare provision, particularly in the realm of SUD treatment.
In conclusion, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of digital health adoption dynamics among AOD clinicians in Australia. By addressing the complexities and nuances of digital health adoption, this study informs future research and implementation efforts aimed at improving outcomes for individuals and communities affected by SUDs. Through collaborative endeavours and strategic interventions, the transformative potential of digital health technologies in advancing SUD treatment and public health initiatives can be realised.
Keywords: Digital Health, Drug and Alcohol Clinicians,Technology Acceptance,Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Clinicians, Social Work
Subject: Computational Modelling thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2024
School: College of Science and Engineering
Supervisor: Giselle Rampersad