Use of Mobile Phones and Smartphones by Addiction Clinic Patients

Tetenova E. J.
MD, PhD, Leading Researcher
ORCID 0000-0002-9390-621X

Kolgashkin A. J.
Senior Researcher
ORCID 0000-0002-5592-4521

Kucherov J. N.
PhD, Researcher

Moscow Research and Practical Centre on Addictions, Moscow, Russian Federation

Tetenova Elena; e-mail: tej08@inbox.ru

The study was funded within the framework of the state assignment for the implementation of program activities «Personalized approach to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with addiction diseases in order to improve drug treatment» of the Program of the Department of Health of Moscow «Scientific Support of Metropolitan Health Care» for 2023-2025.

None declared.

Background. Studying the user experience of the target audience for whom digital services are being developed is important both for assessing the potential use of information and communication technologies and for engaging patients in using specialized mobile applications. Purpose of the study. To examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics of patients undergoing inpatient treatment at an addiction clinic on their use of mobile phones and smartphones. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of a non-deterministic sample of SUD patients (n = 1168) hospitalized at the Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Addictions of the Moscow Department of Health. Research Results. High penetration of mobile phones and smartphones was observed in the studied population, with a tendency among patients to retain their phone numbers even when switching devices. Conclusions. The penetration rate of mobile phones in the population of narcological patients is close to 97%, which justifies the recommendation to develop and use specialized mobile applications as a tool for remote work with patients outside the inpatient narcological care setting. Addiction doctors should consider the potential use of modern communication technologies in their practice.

drug treatment hospital, patient, information and communication technologies, socio-demographic characteristics, mobile phone, smartphone

10.29234/2308-9113-2025-13-2-56-78

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