Trial of a Novel Brief Intervention on Health Behaviors for Youth With Chronic Medical Conditions

The proposed project is a randomized control trial to assess the efficacy of an SBIRT model
tailored to youth with chronic medical conditions. This trial is being built into a larger,
longitudinal cohort study to assess whether a set of brief, substance specific questions can
accurately predict adolescent substance use outcomes when compared to more lengthy, criterion
standard assessment questions, in cross-sectional and prospective analysis. The first
component of the project will consist of pre-testing an assessment battery and brief
electronic intervention with a small sample of 14-17 year old youth. In the second component
the investigators will randomize consented eligible participants into intervention or control
arms of the study and administer the 1) Baseline Assessment Battery and the 2) Brief
Intervention OR Treatment as Usual (TAU). In the third component the investigators will
follow up with all participants at 6 and then 12 months after study entry to reassess rates
of substance use through follow up assessment batteries.

At baseline, the investigators will also attempt to enroll parents of all participants who
are present at the time of enrollment. The investigators will separately consent and
administer a brief assessment battery to parents to assess their knowledge and attitudes
around substance use, as well as opinions and attitudes regarding other health and risk
behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria:

- 14-17 year-old youth presenting for routine medical care in the Rheumatology clinic or
Endocrinology clinic at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH)

- A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes for at least a year or a diagnosis of a Rheumatologic
condition for at least a year.

- Able to read and understand English at a middle school level or greater

- Consent to participation in the study and consent to the 6 month and 12 month follow
up assessments.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients who are medically or emotionally unstable or otherwise unable to provide
assent at the time of their appointment as determined by their clinician or the
research team

- Unable to speak/read English at a middle school reading level

- Unable to use a computer keyboard and/or complete an interviewer-assisted
questionnaire

- Do not consent to 6 month and 12 month re-assessment.

- Patients who are pregnant at baseline