Table 3.

Themes identified in focus group and interviews with patients and staff regarding YouthCHAT acceptability

Theme	Example
Benefits
Ease of Administration	“It was easy to use. We’re all used to the technology.” P3 “I thought it was going to be a little time consuming, but it was more smooth-running.” S1
Presentation (questionnaire)	“It was alright. Simple.” P2
Presentation (report)	“Layout was quite thorough and user-friendly” S1
Appropriate screening questions	“The questions weren’t difficult and were honest questions.” P2 “Screening tools were very good because they would formulate results onto the report and indicate to the clinician what level on the spectrum someone was on, which would then help the response of the clinician. That was beneficial” S2
Acceptability to youth	“Being that it is a tool used electronically, I knew being with young people, they are drawn towards using that or being open to using an electronic tool more so than a paper-based tool.” S2 It’s the same [opening up]. It’s just like talking to a screen instead a face. Makes no difference.” P3
Privacy/feeling comfortable	“When you’re answering questions on the iPad, it’s different to talking to a person, so you kind of feel more comfortable.” P1
Downsides/suggestions for improvement
Presentation (questionnaire)	“Would like it with more colour.” P5 “I’d be interested to see whether there needs to be an inclusion of something more visual, more graphically pleasing so it engages them (youth) a bit more to the questionnaire.” S2 “A young person’s literacy ability and being unable to read … might need an audio option to help them answer the questionnaire.” S2
Nature of questions	“Some of the questions are hard and I didn’t understand them.” P5 “I think there were a little bit too many questions.” P2