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 .
Assisted natural recovery from alcohol problems: effects of a self-help manual with and without supplementary telephone contact.
One hundred and seven problem drinkers responding to a newspaper advertisement were r and omly assigned to groups receiving : ( 1 ) a general advice and information booklet ; ( 2 ) a behaviourally-based self-help manual ; ( 3 ) in addition to the manual , an opportunity to make progress reports to a telephone answering service ; and ( 4 ) in addition to the manual , an opportunity to make telephoned progress reports to an interviewer . Eighty-seven ( 81.3 % ) respondents were successfully followed-up and collateral information was available for 54 ( 61.1 % ) of these . Results showed a higher proportion drinking above recommended limits at six months follow-up in the control group ( 78 % ) than in the groups receiving the manual ( 53 % ) . There were no significant differences due to presence or type of telephone contact and poor use was made of the opportunity for telephone contact . Findings justify the widespread promotion of self-help material s as a means of assisting the natural recovery process among problem drinkers
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 .