CompletedNot Applicable

Improving Care for Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Primary Care

United States42 participantsStarted 2021-02-25

Plain-language summary

In order to improve the quality of alcohol-related care for those with unhealthy alcohol use, the current research will use an evidence-based implementation strategy, practice facilitation, at one VA primary care site to pilot test whether practice facilitation has the potential to improve the quality of primary care-based alcohol-related care . It is hypothesized that primary care providers who take part in the practice facilitation intervention will provide higher quality substance use care to Veterans with unhealthy alcohol use compared to care pre-practice facilitation (e.g., administer evidence-based brief counseling interventions at higher rates, prescribe alcohol use disorder pharmacotherapy at higher rates, increase referrals to specialty substance use disorder clinics).

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Veteran patients: * Veteran presenting for care at VA primary care site during pilot testing of the practice facilitation intervention, AND * Age 18 years and older. Primary care providers: * Primary care staff who screen for unhealthy alcohol use and providers who practice at the primary care clinic at least 1 day per week. Exclusion Criteria: * None.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Reach of alcohol-related care via electronic health record change

Timeframe: 3- and 6-months post implementation intervention

Adoption of alcohol-related care via electronic health record change

Timeframe: 3- and 6-months post implementation intervention

Adoption of alcohol related care via self-report change

Timeframe: 3- and 6-months post implementation intervention

Maintenance of alcohol-related care via electronic health record

Timeframe: 12-months post implementation intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04565899

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-12-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Alcohol Drinking trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Reach of alcohol-related care via electronic health record change

Timeframe: 3- and 6-months post implementation intervention

Adoption of alcohol-related care via electronic health record change

Timeframe: 3- and 6-months post implementation intervention

Adoption of alcohol related care via self-report change

Timeframe: 3- and 6-months post implementation intervention

Maintenance of alcohol-related care via electronic health record

Timeframe: 12-months post implementation intervention