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 .
Evaluating a brief alcohol intervention with fraternities.
OBJECTIVE The current study tested the efficacy of a brief intervention design ed to reduce drinking and drinking-related consequences among first-year fraternity members . METHOD Twelve fraternities were r and omly assigned to receive either a motivational enhancement intervention with individual and housewide feedback components ( n = 6 houses ) or a treatment-as-usual control condition ( n = 6 houses ) . Individual feedback was delivered either by peer interviewers or professional research staff . Participants were assessed during their pledge ( first ) year of house membership and during a follow-up period 1 year later . RESULTS Of the participants who completed follow-up ( N = 120 ) , fraternity members who received the brief intervention reported significant reductions in alcohol use ( total average consumption ) and typical peak blood alcohol concentrations when compared with fraternity members in the control condition . No differences in drinking-related consequences were observed . Fraternity members who received their individualized feedback from peer interviewers and professional members of the research staff reported similar outcomes . CONCLUSIONS Results provide support for the efficacy of a brief motivational enhancement intervention in reducing drinking within this high-risk population . The cost-effective use of peer interviewers appears to be a promising strategy for delivering individualized prevention programming in college population
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 .