What hepatology clinicians and their patients with alcohol-related liver disease think of wearable alcohol biosensors to aid abstinence from alcohol: A qualitative study
Abstract
Introduction: We aimed to determine acceptability and feasibility of innovative wearable alcohol biosensor monitors (ABM) for patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and their clinicians.
Methods: Patients and clinicians at a tertiary care centre participated in qualitative interviews on usability, acceptability, feasibility, efficiency/effectiveness, impact of device on behaviour/clinical practice and preferences/barriers. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and coded using a constant comparison method for category themes.
Results: Patients (n = 23) were 56% female, mean 44 years old, 87% White, with moderate-severe liver disease. Some felt the ABMs appearance was unappealing; others felt it provided an opportunity for openness and education of others. While some found it feasible to wear, others felt it was unrealistic to wear 24/7. Importantly, there were many positive themes on effectiveness/efficiency-participants felt the ABM could better record their alcohol use and patterns of use than they could remember. Patients felt wearing the ABM motivated abstinence, gave accountability and was a source of security. Clinicians (n = 13) were mostly hepatologists (77%), seeing on average 38 ALD patients/month. Clinicians felt seeing patterns and amounts of alcohol use could inform clinical decision making and treatments but expressed concern over the volume and complexity of data.
Discussion and conclusions: Perspectives on ABMs for managing ALD were mixed among…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 38 participants or records.
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