Abstract Patient Perspectives Regarding Universal Self-Administered Screening for Tobacco and Cannabis in a Large Health Care System Gelberg L,1,2,3,4 Akabike WN,1,2 Feller S1,5 Aguilar E,1,2 Kim J,1 Ijadi-Maghsoodi R,1, ,3,4,5 Shoptaw S2 1. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles. 2. Department of Family Medicine 3. Department of Health Policy & Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California-Los Angeles 4. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 4. Department of Psychiatry Background Tobacco and cannabis co-use is common and expected to increase in California with recent legalization of recreational cannabis. Studies have shown increased validity of self-reports of sensitive behaviors through patient self-administered computer-based assessment methods. Objectives We sought to understand patient attitudes regarding implementation of a self-administered computerized universal screener via the EMR patient portal for tobacco and cannabis use and second-hand exposure among all UCLA primary care patients. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups with adult UCLA patients (N=23, 91% Female) to explore patient views and experiences in relation to tobacco and cannabis use. Participants discussed thoughts about their primary care physician asking about use and secondhand exposure, for themselves and their children; benefits and concerns of screening; how to implement screening; and neighborhood factors influencing use and exposure. Focus group sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Barriers to screening for all patients for tobacco and cannabis use included concern about privacy of records and time spent completing the questionnaires. Some patients felt it was beneficial to screen youth for tobacco and cannabis use, including as an opportunity to educate youth about the consequences of use, while expressing concern that youth may not disclose use due to confidentiality concerns. Patients described neighborhood influences contributing to use, availability of cannabis, and for the youth, peer pressure. Conclusions: Implementing a patient self-administered computerized tobacco and cannabis screener among primary care patients in a large health system may be a useful tool to provide patient education. However, patients may have concerns about screening that include privacy concerns and ramifications of disclosure, time spent on the screening, and honesty of disclosing use among youth. Understanding patient perceptions of screening for tobacco and cannabis use and exposure, and recommendations for computerized screening, can inform health systems when implementing universal tobacco and cannabis screening. Financial Support: This work was supported by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program of California (TRDRP) Keywords: tobacco, cannabis, screening Whitney Akabike, MSPH Project Director | UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine 10880 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1800 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 794-6093 Wakabike@mednet.ucla.edu<mailto:Wakabike@mednet.ucla.edu> ________________________________ UCLA HEALTH SCIENCES IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it in a safe, secure and confidential manner. Unauthorized redisclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify us by return email, and delete this message from your computer.