Development Services Group, Inc. and Kaiser Permanente have developed an innovative alcohol and substance abuse screening system intended to assist primary care physicians in determining whether patients fall into one of three groups, according to their alcohol and/or drug use experience: (1) pre-contemplators (have not used), (2) contemplators (have used or are currently using, but not yet dependent), and (3) dependents. In addition, a method of treatment has been developed specifically for each of the three groups. Clinical teams, composed of primary care providers and behavioral medicine specialists, receive formal training with regard to implementing the new screening system, determining patients’ degree of abuse severity, and referring patients to appropriate treatment modalities. The specific population affected by the new system includes every new intake, patients referred for (or suspected of) a substantiated alcohol and/or drug use/abuse problem, and ultimately all Kaiser employees at the San Francisco medical facility. Healthcare utilization records will be examined quarterly over eight distinct data points to gauge the degree to which the intervention correlates with changes in relevant utilization patterns. Qualitative data will be collected through focus group discussions with all three major groups affected by the primary care intervention: (1) primary care physicians, (2) behavioral medicine specialists, and (3) Kaiser Permanante patients. Data also will be gathered through pre/post tests with clinicians and patients.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: (1) discuss the relative effectiveness of using a primary care clinician team approach in screening, identifying, and referring alcohol and substance abusers in a healthcare provider work setting; (2) discuss the effectiveness of conducting AOD brief interventions in a primary care setting; (3) validate the use of a modified CAGE-AID diagnostic instrument in a primary care setting; and (4) specify the level of training necessary for primary care clinicians to successfully implement the substance abuse screening system.
Keywords: Substance Abuse Assessment, Screening Instruments
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.