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 .
Provider training for patient-centered alcohol counseling in a primary care setting.
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of a brief training program on primary care providers '  skills , attitudes , and knowledge regarding high-risk and problem drinking . DESIGN Training plus pretesting and posttesting for program efficacy . SETTING Ambulatory primary care clinic ; academic medical center . PARTICIPANTS Fourteen attending physicians , 12 residents , and 5 nurse practitioners were r and omized by clinical team affiliation to a Special Intervention or usual care condition of a larger study . We report the results of the training program for the Special Intervention providers . INTERVENTION Providers received a 2-hour group training session plus a 10- to 20-minute individual tutorial session 2 to 6 weeks after the group session . The training focused on teaching providers how to perform patient-centered counseling for high-risk and problem drinkers . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Alcohol counseling skills ; attitudes regarding preparedness to intervene and perceived importance and usefulness of intervening with high-risk and problem drinkers ; and knowledge of the nature , prevalence , and appropriate treatment of alcohol abuse in primary care population s. RESULTS After training , providers scored significantly higher on measures of counseling skills , preparedness to intervene , perceived usefulness and importance of intervening , and knowledge . CONCLUSION A group training program plus brief individual feedback can significantly improve primary care providers '  counseling skills , attitudes , and knowledge regarding high-risk and 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 .