Having previously worked in clinical settings, I am currently studying for a PhD in brief digital interventions for gambling. My current work is centred around electronic screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (e-SBIRT), a public health approach to reduce harm from gambling and increase help seeking behaviour. I am particularly passionate about increasing help seeking and am planning to conduct further research in this area. I have previously studied at the University of Leeds and the University of Nottingham.

Abstract

Electronic screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (e-SBIRT) for gambling harm: Acceptability and preliminary efficacy

Gambling harm is a significant public health burden. Help seeking for gambling is low and reported outcomes are mixed. Electronic screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (e-SBIRT) programmes have the potential to increase help seeking and improve treatment outcomes. However, no studies to date have investigated e-SBIRT in the context of gambling. We conducted a single-arm mixed-methods study of acceptability and a two-arm randomized online experiment to examine the efficacy of e-SBIRT for gambling. Participants were randomized to an active control condition or received the e-SBIRT intervention, which included normative feedback, psychoeducation, motivational interviewing and signposting. Primary outcomes were gambling harm, frequency, expenditure, symptoms, severity and self-efficacy. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks. Participants (n=63) reported high levels of satisfaction with the e-SBIRT, found it helpful, and were more likely to seek help. Qualitative feedback (n=7) supported the e-SBIRT’s acceptability. For efficacy (n = 83), significant improvements were demonstrated for gambling harm, frequency and expenditure, however, there were no differences between the intervention and control condition. The present findings support the acceptability of e-SBIRT for gambling. Although an intervention effect was not detected in this sample, e-SBIRT may be effective in motivating users to seek help and reduce their harm from gambling.