Study protocol paper for the multi-site feasibility evaluation of mobile and technology-assisted aftercare services for crisis stabilization units

Pilot and Feasibility Studies

Study Protocol

Jacob Eikenberry¹  Shelby D. Pederson²  Rachel Fulmer³  Carrie Pettus³ 

[1] Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Avenue, 81501-3122, Grand Junction, CO, USA;Institute for Justice Research and Development, Florida State University, 2010 Levy Ave, Suite 3400, 32310, Tallahassee, FL, USA;Wellbeing and Equity Innovations, PO Box 14641, 32317, Tallahassee, FL, USA;

关键词: Mental health disorder;    Crisis stabilization;    Law enforcement;    Substance use disorders;    Randomized;    Feasibility;    Acceptability;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40814-023-01361-8

 received in 2022-05-27, accepted in 2023-07-10,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLaw enforcement frequently responds to substance abuse and mental health crises. Crisis stabilization units (CSUs) operate as a public-receiving facility to provide short-term stabilization services for individuals experiencing these crises and offer law enforcement an important alternative to arrest. However, there is limited understanding about how and when law enforcement decides to use CSUs. There is also the challenge of retaining individuals in treatment after CSU stabilization to prevent future crises and persistent engagement with police. This study will respond to these gaps by exploring CSU procedures and examining the feasibility and acceptability of a technology-assisted mobile aftercare intervention designed for individuals brought to a CSU by law enforcement.MethodsThis study will consist of three aims. Aim 1 will include qualitative interviews with law enforcement and CSU-affiliated mental health staff (n=80) regarding CSU utilization and collaboration logistics between the groups. Findings from Aim 1 will be synthesized for the development of an implementation guide of our intervention, mobile, and technology-assisted aftercare, designed for individuals brought to a CSU by law enforcement, during Aim 2. During Aim 2, intervention services will be pilot-tested for 6 months through a small sample (n=24), randomized control trial (RCT). Control participants will receive standard services available for individuals discharging from a CSU. Treatment participants will receive the mobile aftercare intervention. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-recruitment for all study participants. Aims 1 and 2 will inform the design of a multi-site RCT to compare CSUs with and without mobile and technology-assisted aftercare (Aim 3).DiscussionThe study will offer decision making and procedural insight into law enforcement use of CSUs as an alternative to jail and provide opportunities to inform that process. This research will provide outcome trends for those who go through standard CSU services compared to those who receive mobile and technology-assisted aftercare services. The current study will inform a larger RCT efficacy study of CSUs with and without technology-assisted aftercare services.Trial registrationThis study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (reference #NCT04899934) on May 25, 2021.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023