Preferences for an Experience Sampling Method–Based Tool as an Adjunct to Usual Treatment in Patients With Problem Substance Use: Qualitative Study

TL;DR

This study explores what features people with substance use disorders prefer in a mobile mental health tool that uses real-time data collection.

Contribution

The study identifies specific user preferences for ESM-based tools among substance users, emphasizing customization and communication features.

Findings

Participants preferred short questionnaires with open-text responses and Ecological Momentary Interventions.

Data visualization was seen as important for communication with clinicians.

Preferences included customization options and controlled data sharing based on relationship quality.

Abstract

Mobile health tools that use the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) appear to be a promising tool to streamline and improve the treatment of substance use disorders. However, patient involvement in the development of these tools is uncommon, and research on the preferences of people being treated for substance use disorders has been scarce. In the scope of the European Union IMMERSE (Implementing Mobile Mental health Recording Strategy for Europe) consortium, an ESM-based tool for Digital Mobile Mental Health (DMMH) was first codeveloped and later tested in 4 European countries.

This study aimed to achieve an understanding of preferences for features of DMMH among mental health service users with problem substance use.

In 4 European countries, service users were recruited for a semistructured qualitative interview, which started with the presentation of a prototype of the DMMH. Data analysis was performed through directed qualitative content analysis.

The analytical sample consisted of 12 (5 female, 6 male, and 1 nonbinary person) participants with problem substance use aged 18-50 years. There were 4 participants from Slovakia, 3 from Belgium, 4 from Germany, and 1 from Scotland. Patient preferences were classified into 7 categories: notifications, questions, user interface, functionality changes, visualizations, sharing data with clinicians, and sharing data with others. The proposed intensive notification schedule was deemed acceptable by service users as long as the questionnaire is short. Participants expressed a preference for open-text response options, Ecological Momentary Interventions, and options for individual customization of several elements of the tool. Data visualization was considered an important aid for communication with clinicians, with whom all participants wanted to share data obtained with DMMH. The possibility of sharing data with other people depended on the quality of the relationship with them.

In the development of ESM-based mobile health tools for people with problem substance use, their preferences for content, functionality, and appearance of the tools should be considered so they match patients’ treatment needs.