Sociometrics Corporation — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase II: NIMHD

Description

ABSTRACT This project will harness recent technological developments in smart tablets and other mobile devicestheir proliferation and affordabilitytheir increased use in pedagogy and healthcareand the numerous benefits they affordsuch as personalizationconnectednessmobilityand improved learning outcomesThese developments will be leveraged to improve the uptakeappropriate implementationand evaluation of evidence based behavioral interventionsEBIsthat help prevent the spread of HIVFor this Phase II projectwe will complete the development and field testing of the Prevention TabletPTaban application for use on the web as well as via native apps on iOS and Android tabletsPTab will help health educators overcome identified barriers to the uptake and implementation of EBIsFor the Phase II scope of workwe will focus on PTabandapos s hosting HIV prevention EBIs that are aimed at populations of special interest to NIHandapos s National Institute for Minority Health and Health DisparitiesNCMHDThese population groups includeracial and ethnic minoritiesAfrican AmericansAmerican IndiansAlaska NativesAsian AmericansHispanic AmericansNative Hawaiians and other U SPacific Islanderssocioeconomically disadvantaged individualsand medically underserved individuals residing in rural and urban areasNIMHD websitePost Phase IIas PTab is commercializedother EBIs can and will be hosted on PTabwhether minority focused or notHIV prevention focused or notIn shortPTab will be a revolutionary platform for increasing the uptakeimplementationand evaluation of EBIsPTab is the first mobile application platform designed especially for EBI educatorsfacilitatorsand implementers working in real world settingsThese users can use PTab anytimeanywhere to access all program content as well as core features tailored for their current taskswhether when preparing for implementationwhile running a sessionor after completing a sessionPTab has tools like digital note takingreminders to prepare materialson screen timers for session outlines to ensure coverage of core elementsand digital forms to streamline process and outcome evaluationWith an Internet connectionPTab users have access to supplementary content and value added features through links to EBI Connectan online community of EBI practitioners and educators managed by Sociometricsas well as SurveyGizmoa survey creationdata collectionanalysis and reporting tool that will be pre populated with the evaluation questionnaires for PTabandapos s EBIsIn Phase Iwe demonstrated the feasibility and utility of PTab by conducting a needs assessment as well as building and usability testing dynamic working prototypes of the PTab web app and the PTab iOS native appThe present Phase II proposal willcomplete the development of the PTab web app as well as the PTab native apps for both iOS and Android tabletsmakeminority focused HIV prevention EBIs available for use on computerstabletsor smartphonesand conduct a field study to assess PTabandapos s impact on EBI uptake and implementation fidelity PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Health disparities in HIV incidence and prevalence remain significant in the U Swith minority and medically underserved populations being disproportionately affectedNumerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of select behavioral interventions in reducing HIV related risk behaviors among diverse groupsincluding those suffering from health disparitiesNeverthelessadoption and appropriate implementation of these EBIsevidence based behavioral interventions programsremain challenging to frontline HIV prevention providersFinding new solutions that take into account current barriers to adoption as well as program facilitatorsandapospractical difficulties with implementation is imperative to ensuring the successful replication of EBIs in real world settingssee Research Strategy Background and SignificanceThe proposed PTab product will harness HIV prevention EBI content compiled at Sociometrics with NIH funding over the last two decadesan online community of practice website successfully developed around these EBIsa user focused product development methodologyand the latest in computer and mobile tablet hardware and software technologyto facilitate uptakeadoption and sustainedappropriate useof HIV prevention EBIs aimed at minority and medically underserved populationsIf successfulPTab willin this mannercontribute to reducing HIV related health disparities