Sensitivity analysis indicates that from both perspectives the service is very cost effective and may be cost saving .
CONCLUSIONS These results make alcohol screening and counseling one of the highest-ranking preventive services among the 25 effective services evaluated using st and ardized methods .
BACKGROUND The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) has recommended screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse .
This study was design ed to develop a st and ardized rating for the clinical ly preventable burden and cost effectiveness of complying with that recommendation that would allow comparisons across many recommended services .
Relative effectiveness of bibliotherapy, individual and group self-control training in the treatment of problem drinkers.
Abstract The effectiveness of 4 alternative forms of behavioral self-control training ( BSCT ) design ed to reduce alcohol consumption was evaluated . Forty-one problem drinkers were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment conditions : ( a ) bibliotherapy , in which clients were evaluated and then provided with a self-help manual ( Miller & Munoz , 1976 ) and self-monitoring cards but were not given therapy sessions , ( b ) BSCT alone , consisting of 10 individual sessions following material presented in the manual , ( c ) BSCT plus relaxation training , being identical to ( b ) except that training in progressive deep muscle relaxation was added within the 10 sessions , and ( d ) group therapy identical in content to ( c ) but offered in a group rather than in individual format . Outcome data included information from client interviews , psychometric measures , self-monitoring cards , and interviews with significant others . All data sources indicated significant and substantial reduction in alcohol consumption , particularly in “ alcoholismic ” drinking patterns . No significant differences were found among the 4 treatment groups . The cost-effectiveness of a bibliotherapy approach was supported , consistent with prior research . Overall improvement rates were 84 % and 69 % at 3- and 12-month follow-up , respectively
Sensitivity analysis indicates that from both perspectives the service is very cost effective and may be cost saving .
CONCLUSIONS These results make alcohol screening and counseling one of the highest-ranking preventive services among the 25 effective services evaluated using st and ardized methods .
BACKGROUND The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) has recommended screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse .
This study was design ed to develop a st and ardized rating for the clinical ly preventable burden and cost effectiveness of complying with that recommendation that would allow comparisons across many recommended services .