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 .
Detection of patients with high alcohol intake by general practitioners.
General practitioners have the potential to treat patients with alcohol problems effectively . Despite the medical implication s of excessive alcohol intake , it appears that general practitioners are not sufficiently aware of the drinking habits of their patients . The aim of the study was to investigate the accuracy of 56 r and omly chosen general practitioners  in detecting which of their patients had a high alcohol intake . Altogether , 2081 patients were recruited in general practitioners ' waiting rooms , where they answered questions about their drinking habits . After the consultations general practitioners were asked to indicate the patients ' levels of alcohol intake . The results showed that general practitioners correctly identified only 27.5 % of patients who were classified as " high risk " drinkers , using Australian Medical Association criteria . They correctly identified only 45.2 % of patients who were classified as " moderate to heavy " drinkers , defined by them as drinkers who consume four or more st and ard drinks a day . These findings have important implication s for clinical practice since they indicate that general practitioners are failing to perform adequately in an important area of preventive medicine . This issue needs to be addressed in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education
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 .