(PS9-10) Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Mobile Mental Health Interventions: A Qualitative Study of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research in Pediatric Oncology Providers

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have unique developmental and psychosocial needs that may be unmet throughout their cancer experience. As a result, AYAs with cancer often experience a myriad of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and distress. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions hold promise in addressing these challenges by expanding access to evidence-based psychosocial care. This is particularly salient for AYAs as digital natives who have been immersed in technology from a young age. However, there is limited understanding of the uptake and implementation of mHealth interventions in pediatric hospital settings.



Objectives: To help bridge this research-practice gap, we conducted a qualitative study with AYA oncology providers using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We aimed to 1) understand the unmet mental health needs of AYAs with cancer, 2) explore attitudes and experiences with mHealth mental health interventions, and 3) identify barriers and facilitators to implementing mHealth mental health interventions into routine clinical care.



Methods: Our sample will consist of 25 providers from diverse roles and training backgrounds (psychologists, social workers, oncologists, and nurses) at Seattle Children’s Hospital Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. All providers will complete a demographics survey and participate in a semi-structured interview. Data collection is ongoing and will be complete by May 2024. We will conduct a directed content analysis guided by the CFIR framework. Codes will be analyzed according to five CFIR constructs (Patient Needs, Culture, Climate, Compatibility, and Relative Priority) spanning three CFIR domains (Intervention Characteristics, Inner Setting, and Outer Setting).

Expected

Results: Our findings on Intervention Characteristics will inform the adaptation and refinement of mHealth interventions developed by our research group. Findings on Inner Setting and Outer Setting characteristics will inform changes to clinic workflow for mHealth dissemination and implementation initiatives.



Conclusions: By synthesizing the factors that promote and hinder the implementation of mHealth interventions in clinical settings, we can move towards universal evidence-based care using innovative digital health technologies.