An early evaluation of implementation of brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use in the US Veterans Health Administration.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

The US Veterans Health Administration [Veterans Affairs (VA)] used performance measures and electronic clinical reminders to implement brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use. We evaluated whether documented brief intervention was associated with subsequent changes in drinking during early implementation.

Design

Observational, retrospective cohort study using secondary clinical and administrative data.

Setting

Thirty VA facilities.

Participants

Outpatients who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use [Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C ≥ 5)] in the 6 months after the brief intervention performance measure (n = 22 214) and had follow-up screening 9-15 months later (n = 6210; 28%).

Measurements

Multi-level logistic

SUBMITTER: Williams EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4257468 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature