TRUST Technology for Teen Sexual Health Services

(TRUST Trial)

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Disqualifiers: No well-child visit scheduled

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new technology-based approach called TRUST, designed to give teens private time with healthcare providers during checkups. The goal is to boost trust, improve communication on sensitive topics like sexual health, and increase parental support and monitoring. Teens aged 11 to 17 with a scheduled well-child visit and internet access might be a good fit for this trial. Mothers can also participate if they meet similar criteria. Participants will use online modules to learn about communication and the importance of alone time with doctors. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative approaches in healthcare communication.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, so it's best to ask the trial organizers directly.

What prior data suggests that this technology-based intervention is safe for adolescents?

In a previous study, researchers found that many young people are open to using digital tools for sexual and reproductive health, with teens appreciating the privacy these tools offer. Another study showed that young people often trust these digital platforms, though some still worry about privacy and confidentiality.

Although the study did not specifically examine the safety of the TRUST technology, digital health tools like TRUST generally appear safe and helpful to young people. No reports of harm or negative effects emerged from using these kinds of digital platforms. This suggests that the TRUST program, which uses online lessons to enhance health communication, might be safe for teens to use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the TRUST approach because it offers a fresh, digital method for enhancing teen sexual health services. Unlike traditional in-person counseling or education sessions, TRUST allows teens to engage with interactive modules online, providing flexibility and privacy. The modules cover essential topics like communication, relationships, and parental monitoring in multiple languages, making them accessible to a diverse audience. This innovative approach could empower teens to learn at their own pace, potentially increasing the effectiveness and reach of sexual health education.

What evidence suggests that this technology-based intervention is effective for increasing alone time with healthcare providers for adolescents?

Research has shown that the TRUST program, which participants in this trial will engage with, might increase the time teens spend alone with their healthcare providers during visits. A small initial study suggested it could enhance these private interactions. The program includes online lessons about communication, relationships, and the importance of private time with healthcare providers for teens. These lessons aim to build trust, improve discussions about sexual health, and involve parents. While early results are promising, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jyu-Lin Chen, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents who may benefit from more private time with healthcare providers during their visits. It's designed to help them talk openly about sensitive health topics, manage their own health better, and improve communication with parents.

Inclusion Criteria

Mother has access to the internet

The child has access to the internet (via phone or computer)

The child has a well-child visit scheduled in the next 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have a well-child check-up planned in the next 6 months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants interact with four online modules and complete a baseline survey

6 months

Online interaction

Follow-up

Participants complete a post-test survey one month after well-adolescent visits

1 month

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• TRUST

Trial Overview The study tests a mobile health (mHealth) intervention called TRUST. It uses technology to encourage teens to have alone time with doctors during wellness visits and aims to see if this improves trust and communication about sexual health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: participant will interact with four module on a secured website. Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The online modules included: General Communication, Talking about Relationships and Sexual Health, Parental Monitoring, and Check-up and Check-in (content focused on the importance of alone time). Modules were in English, Chinese, or Spanish

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Francisco

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

902

Recruited

25,020,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12455170/

Evaluating the Preliminary Efficacy of the TRUST ... This pilot study demonstrates promising results regarding the preliminary efficacy of a technology-based intervention to increase alone time ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07064070

NCT07064070 | Technology-Based Resources to Increase ... This pilot study aims to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a technology-based intervention designed to increase alone time with providers during well- ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-mhealth-intervention-2-2023-b73a3

TRUST Technology for Teen Sexual Health Services ... This pilot study aims to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a technology-based intervention designed to increase alone time with providers during well- ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949761225000586

Youth Uptake of Digital Sexual and Reproductive Health ... The primary outcome was in-person or digital visits (chat and video) of SRH services within a year, identified using regional health care registries.

5. formative.jmir.org formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e55815

A Digital Sexual Health Intervention for Urban Adolescent and ... Digital interventions show promise to improve adolescent and young adult sexual health; yet, few interventions focus on male ED patients, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11812717/

'I wouldn't trust it …' Digital transformation of young ... This qualitative descriptive study sought to explore the acceptability of digital sexual health technologies for 16–18 year olds.

7. jahonline.org jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(22)00460-8/fulltext

Adolescent Perceptions of Technology-Based Sexual and ... This systematic review examined AYA perceptions of privacy and confidentiality of technology-based SRH services.

8. ntia.gov ntia.gov/sites/default/files/reports/kids-online-health-safety/2024-kohs-report.pdf

Online Health and Safety for Children and Youth Online services can expose children to an array of harms involving sexual exploitation, including sex ... ✓ Incorporate other technical measures ...