The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of opportunistic screening and stepped care interventions for older hazardous alcohol users in primary care (AESOPS) – A randomised control trial protocol
2008

Study Protocol for Alcohol Screening in Older Adults

Sample size: 500 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Coulton Simon, Watson Jude, Bland Martin, Drummond Colin, Kaner Eileen, Godfrey Christine, Hassey Alan, Morton Veronica, Parrott Steve, Phillips Tom, Raistrick Duncan, Rumball Daphne, Tober Gillian

Primary Institution: Centre for Health Service Studies, University of Kent

Hypothesis

Stepped care interventions for older hazardous alcohol users reduce alcohol consumption compared with a minimal intervention at 12 months post randomisation.

Conclusion

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of stepped care interventions for older hazardous alcohol users in primary care.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older populations experience alcohol-related problems at lower consumption levels.
  • There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of brief psychosocial interventions in reducing alcohol consumption.
  • Stepped care interventions provide a resource-efficient means of meeting the needs of older hazardous alcohol users.

Takeaway

This study is trying to find out if a special way of helping older people who drink too much alcohol works better than just giving them basic advice.

Methodology

The study is a pragmatic parallel group randomised controlled trial comparing stepped care interventions with a minimal intervention.

Participant Demographics

Participants are primary care attendees aged 55 years or more.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-8-129

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