A Comparative Case Study of the Implementation of a Digital App-Based Platform Aimed at Reducing Sexual Risk in Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Risky sexual behaviors in adolescents and young adults often result in negative outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. This case study compares the experience of implementing a digital app-based platform aimed at reducing adolescent sexual risk behavior in a rural medical clinic and a university-based mental health clinic in an effort to better understand how the cliexa-OPTIONS mobile app can inform care and enhance the overall quality of treatment in very different clinical health settings. Clinicians in charge of the implementation of the digital app report that it opens up more transparent discussions with patients/clients, allowing them to provide better care in both medical and mental health settings. The differences in context provide different demographic-related challenges at the two sites. Challenges in online recruitment and workflow were evident only at the university-based mental health clinic as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementers at both sites indicated a highly positive overall experience with cliexa-OPTIONS and a desire to use the digital app in the future. Patient/client satisfaction surveys indicate that patients/clients enjoy using the digital app and find it easy to use.

Keywords:

• Adolescent sexual health
• digital health screening
• sexual risk assessment

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by a U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.