The implementation of digital interventions to address alcohol use in primary care: a scoping review

The advances in technology have significantly transformed healthcare, with digital health playing a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes. These innovations, such as mobile apps, wearables, and telemedicine, offer benefits like enhanced accessibility, real-time health monitoring, and early detection of medical issues. Digital health interventions empower patients to take an active role in their care, improving engagement and adherence to treatment. Such advances in the digital healthcare field call for further consideration using an implementation science approach to ensure this research can become integrated into standard medical care. An implementation science framework focuses on understanding the factors between clinical development and research and its eventual use as a medical tool. Given the increasing prevalence of alcohol-related harm and the potential for primary care providers to play a key role in identifying and addressing alcohol use, digital interventions offer an innovative and scalable solution for improving care delivery. Nair et al. 2015 provided valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges of digital alcohol interventions in primary care settings. However, given the rapid advancements in technology over the past decade, the findings of this review have become outdated. Innovations such as the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and wearable devices have significantly expanded the scope and capabilities of digital interventions. Additionally, the widespread adoption of telemedicine and mobile health applications has transformed patient care, improving accessibility and engagement. These technological developments necessitate a scoping review to capture the latest evidence and assess the implementation science of digital tools in healthcare. This review aims to: 1. Highlight implementation factors: Understanding the factors that influence the adoption and use of digital interventions in primary care—such as healthcare provider involvement, patient preferences, and technological barriers—will provide insights into the challenges and opportunities for integration into existing care models. 2. Identify and categorize digital interventions: By mapping the various types of digital tools available, the review will highlight the breadth of interventions used to address alcohol use in primary care, including apps, telehealth platforms, and online counseling. 3. Assess effectiveness and feasibility: The review will evaluate how well these digital interventions work in primary care settings, considering clinical outcomes, user engagement, and their potential for broad implementation within busy healthcare environments. 4. Identify gaps in the evidence: By synthesizing the current literature, the review will uncover areas where evidence is lacking, guiding future research efforts to strengthen the understanding of digital interventions' role in alcohol use management. This review seeks to inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers about the current implementation landscape of digital interventions in alcohol use management, with the goal of improving the effectiveness, accessibility, and integration of these interventions into primary care practice.