Date of Award

January 2026

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

E. Jennifer Edelman

Second Advisor

Brian Kiluk

Abstract

The development and implementation of digital interventions in the identification andmanagement of unhealthy alcohol use (i.e., the spectrum of consumption including at-risk alcohol use and alcohol use disorder) in the primary care setting has seen numerous advancements in recent years. Such rapid change makes it difficult to understand and assess the current state of the literature as it relates to these implementation topics. To better understand the broader research landscape, we (SB, Advised by EJE and BK and with collaboration from AG) conducted a scoping review to: 1) characterize the focus, components, and mode of digital interventions for targeting alcohol use in the primary care setting, 2) describe multi-level factors reported to impact implementation; and 3) identify the way in which implementation science theories, models, and frameworks were applied in this context. A literature search of 10 databases from their initial inception through January 27th, 2025, identified a total of 1212 potentially relevant sources. After abstract and full text review, a total of 53 were included and used for data extraction. Results showed that digital interventions primarily focused on screening (28/53, 52.8%), and treatment (26/53, 49.0%) with differences in digital modalities. Screening interventions typically used technology, such as tablets or computers, to deliver a previously validated measure, while treatment interventions used cognitive behavioral therapy and motivation interviewing across a variety of digital platforms. Implementation outcomes, such as acceptability, usability, and feasibility, were widely used, but often without specification of an implementation science framework. Future work may use the results of this analysis to guide development and implementation of digital interventions to address alcohol use in primary care.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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