Michael Patrick Schaub*, Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, Zurich, Switzerland Track: Research Presentation Topic: Consumer empowerment, patient-physician relationship, and sociotechnical issues Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Sheraton Maui Resort Room: B - Kapalua Date: 2014-11-13 04:15 PM – 05:00 PM Last modified: 2014-09-04

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Background:
Recently the international literature has described treatment models that target the general population. Web-based self-help programs that reduce problematic consumption are able to reach “hidden” consumer groups in the general population, which is also of great importance from a public health point of view. Particularly counseling in addition to self-help interventions seem promising approaches according to recent randomized controlled trials.

Aims:
Last year, the Swiss federal office of public health started the national e-addiction portal Safe Zone. Part of this project is also the development of minimal (MQS) and best practice quality standards (BPQS) for the future quality assurance of internet-based addiction counselling services.

Methods:
Based on the on the development study of an EU framework for MQS and benchmarks in drug demand reduction (EQUS), an exhaustive literature review, national law conditions and professional codes we developed lists with specific quality standards for online addiction counselling. Trained internet addiction counselors involved in this Swiss addiction portal were asked to rate these standards in a thorough internet survey for qualification as MQS or BPQS for addiction counselling on the internet.

Results:
Forty addiction counselors specialized in all fields of substance use who offer or plan to offer addiction counselling on the internet participated in this survey. A high level of acceptance was found for the MQS. The final lists of MQS and BPQS were based on at least 70% of overall acceptance. Almost all structural standards were accepted as MQS (13 of 15) and BPQS (13 of 15). There was less agreement for the process standards (MQS: 11 of 17, BPQS 9 of 17) and only half of the outcome standards were accepted (each 2 of 4). Detailed quality standard formulations will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions:
A high consensus on national MQS and BPQS for addiction counselling on the internet was found. These quality standards build a suitable framework for the implementation of quality assurance for addiction counselling on the Swiss addiction portal.