Adapting the Grog survey app for alcohol screening and feedback in aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services: a mixed methods study protocol

Monika Dzidowska ^1,2, James H Conigrave ³, Scott Wilson ^3,4

¹Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Badham Building (A15), Sydney, NSW, Australia. monika.dzidowska@sydney.edu.au.
²School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, NR1, Bundoora, Melbourne, 3086, Australia. monika.dzidowska@sydney.edu.au.
³School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, NR1, Bundoora, Melbourne, 3086, Australia.
⁴Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Aboriginal Corporation, 155 Holbrooks Road, Adelaide, Underdale, SA, 5032, Australia.
⁵Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Inala Indigenous Health Service), 37 Wirraway Parade, Brisbane, Inala, Qld, 4077, Australia.
⁶School of Medicine, Griffith Health Centre (G40), Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Gold Coast, 4222, QLD, Australia.
⁷School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston Road, Brisbane, Herston, Qld, 4006, Australia.
⁸Information and Communications Technology, The University of Sydney, ICT TechLab, Services Building (G12), Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁹Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, National Drug Research Institute (NDRI), Building 609, 7 Parker Place, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
¹⁰Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
¹¹Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, General Practice Clinical School, Edward Ford Building (A27), Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia.
¹²Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Mparntwe Alice Springs, Building 15, Springs Campus 10 Grevillea Drive, Alice Springs, Darwin, NT, 0871, Australia.
¹³NSW Health, Involuntary Drug and Alcohol Treatment Unit, Western NSW Local Health District, Bloomfield Campus, 1502 Forest Road, 2800, Orange, NSW, Australia.
¹⁴Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, 186 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, Fitzroy, Vic, 3065, Australia.
¹⁵Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Central Clinical School, Lev 6, King George V Building (C39), Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹⁶The Edith Collins Centre (Translational Research in Alcohol Drugs and Toxicology), Drug Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (KGV) 83-117 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
¹⁷Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic, 3004, Australia.

⁰Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Badham Building (A15), Sydney, NSW, Australia. monika.dzidowska@sydney.edu.au.

Addiction Science & Clinical Practice +

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September 2, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study adapts the Grog App for primary care to improve alcohol screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The new digital tool aims to increase detection and care for risky drinking in First Nations communities.

Area Of Science

Digital health interventions
Indigenous health research
Primary care innovation

Background

Traditional alcohol screening tools struggle with unique drinking patterns in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, leading to under-detection.
Existing tools like the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C) may not accurately capture consumption due to cultural factors like group sharing and episodic drinking.
Culturally appropriate screening methods are needed to improve identification of risky alcohol consumption in First Nations primary care settings.

Purpose Of The Study

To adapt the Grog App, a validated community survey tool, for use in primary care settings.
To facilitate effective alcohol screening and brief intervention for First Nations Australians.
To enhance the accuracy and cultural appropriateness of alcohol consumption screening in Indigenous primary care.

Main Methods

A mixed-methods approach will be employed across five stages: stakeholder consultation, technical development, re-validation, primary care implementation, and post-implementation acceptability study.
The Grog App will be modified for primary care use, focusing on user interface and cultural relevance.
Implementation will occur in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary care setting, followed by a six-month acceptability assessment.

Main Results

The project is expected to yield a novel, culturally appropriate digital health tool for alcohol screening.
Implementation resources will be developed to support routine screening in primary care.
Contextual data on the implementation of electronic screening tools in this population will be generated, addressing a gap in the literature.

Conclusions

The developed digital tool is anticipated to increase alcohol screening and care rates among First Nations Australians.
This initiative will provide valuable insights into implementing health service improvement strategies using electronic screening tools.
The study will contribute an evidence base for utilizing continuous quality improvement in primary care settings for Indigenous health.

Keywords:

Aboriginal and torres strait islander Alcohol Brief interventions Continuous quality improvement Electronic screening First nations Implementation Primary care

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