Development of a Mobile Health App to Improve the Safe Use, Storage, and Disposal of Opioid Medications

A key driver of the current opioid overdose epidemic is the misuse of legitimately prescribed opioid medications. Patient education through use of mobile technology may help to increase knowledge of appropriate use of opioid medications; however, knowledge does not always translate into behavior modification. Therefore, there is a need for more research into patient-facing technology that can increase both knowledge and behaviors consistent with appropriate opioid use. These needs have been amplified by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has exposed healthcare disparities, heightened the risk for mental and behavioral health disorders, and dramatically increased reliance on telehealth technologies. It is critically important that telehealth solutions be accessible and user-friendly for all consumers, particularly members of underserved communities with limited digital health literacy. This feasibility study will develop a mobile health app to improve appropriate use of opioid medications among patients with a prescription to treat non-cancer pain. The study will use focus groups with consumers and providers to determine the content and features to be included in the app and will test the feasibility of implementing a contingency management approach (i.e., rewards system) with the app using a randomized control trial. The key outcome of interest is confirmation of the design and operating specifications of the app, including the use of contingency management. Secondary outcomes of interest are the overall rating of the app and an increase in knowledge among users regarding the safe use, storage, and disposal of opioid medications.