Helping Primary Care Physicians Address Unhealthy Alcohol Use

Overview

Unhealthy Alcohol Use (UAU) is the third leading cause of preventable death in the US, but only 13% of primary care providers (PCPs) adequately screen patients. The US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that PCPs screen adults, 18 years and older, for UAU and provide brief counseling for those engaged in risky drinking. Addressing alcohol-related concerns is essential for patients’ well-being. Primary care physicians can deliver alcohol-related advice and recommendations to those who indicate unhealthy alcohol use and treatment for alcohol use disorders.

Approach

The Michigan Sustained Patient-Centered Alcohol-Related Care (MI-SPARC) program was developed through a partnership between Altarum and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to support practices in adopting an evidence-based approach to alcohol-related care. Provider practices who participated received two hours of training covering screening, brief intervention, and engaging patients in shared decision-making regarding their treatment, including participating in counseling or taking medications that treat alcohol use disorder. In addition, each practice received six months of practice facilitation to aid in workflow and data collection assistance.