Oral 02 | Theory-driven Instant Assessment and Feedback (iAx) improves brief cannabis intervention
Tracks
Track 10
| Saturday, May 16, 2020 |
| 3:40 PM - 5:00 PM |
Presenter(s)
A/Prof Matthew Gullo
Alcohol And Drug Assessment Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital
Oral 02 | Theory-driven Instant Assessment and Feedback (iAx) improves brief cannabis intervention
4:00 PM - 4:20 PMOutline
Background
Psychological assessment and personalised feedback are important components of brief interventions (BIs) for cannabis use. The diversity of assessment instruments and time burden associated with scoring them pose a challenge for effective implementation in clinical practice.
Objectives
An instant assessment and feedback (iAx) system was developed to administer theory-driven assessments that were instantly benchmarked against clinical norms to inform treatment planning. This study evaluated the additive effectiveness of the iAx system compared to treatment as usual in a single-session BI.
Method
Randomised controlled trial of 89 cannabis users (Mage=25.85 years, SD=9.89) referred for assessment at a public hospital alcohol and drug outpatient clinic. Patients were randomly allocated to a single-session BI utilising the iAx system (iAx; n = 45) or the standard single-session BI (treatment-as-usual [TAU]; n = 44). Baseline and post-treatment assessments of motivation to change cannabis use and post-treatment patient satisfaction were the outcomes of interest.
Results
Patients receiving iAx experienced a greater increase in motivation to change cannabis use from pre- to post-treatment in comparison to patients receiving TAU (d = 0.49, p = .03). Patient satisfaction with treatment was high across both conditions, with no significant differences (p = .66).
Conclusions
The new iAx system increased motivation to change cannabis use during a single-session BI delivered within a large public hospital clinic. The implementation of the iAx system was feasible and is now integrated into routine care.
Psychological assessment and personalised feedback are important components of brief interventions (BIs) for cannabis use. The diversity of assessment instruments and time burden associated with scoring them pose a challenge for effective implementation in clinical practice.
Objectives
An instant assessment and feedback (iAx) system was developed to administer theory-driven assessments that were instantly benchmarked against clinical norms to inform treatment planning. This study evaluated the additive effectiveness of the iAx system compared to treatment as usual in a single-session BI.
Method
Randomised controlled trial of 89 cannabis users (Mage=25.85 years, SD=9.89) referred for assessment at a public hospital alcohol and drug outpatient clinic. Patients were randomly allocated to a single-session BI utilising the iAx system (iAx; n = 45) or the standard single-session BI (treatment-as-usual [TAU]; n = 44). Baseline and post-treatment assessments of motivation to change cannabis use and post-treatment patient satisfaction were the outcomes of interest.
Results
Patients receiving iAx experienced a greater increase in motivation to change cannabis use from pre- to post-treatment in comparison to patients receiving TAU (d = 0.49, p = .03). Patient satisfaction with treatment was high across both conditions, with no significant differences (p = .66).
Conclusions
The new iAx system increased motivation to change cannabis use during a single-session BI delivered within a large public hospital clinic. The implementation of the iAx system was feasible and is now integrated into routine care.
Biography
Associate Professor Matthew Gullo is an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland. Matthew's research seeks to improve the assessment and treatment of substance use disorder through a better understanding of the complex biosocial cognitive mechanisms involved, revealing new targets for personalised intervention. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications and been awarded over $2.5m in research funding. Matthew led the ‘Psychosocial Interventions’ section of the 2020 Commonwealth Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol Problems. He holds an appointment as Visiting Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Alcohol and Drug Assessment Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital. Here, he has led several innovations in service delivery that have benefited over 6,000 patients to-date.
