A new approach to alcoholism detection in primary care.
This article describes a model that brings together the chemical dependency, mental health, and primary care services of a staff model HMO for the purpose of establishing a primary care clinic-based program to assist physicians in early detection of chemical dependency and frequent psychiatric disorders. The model creates a partnership between a master's-level professional social worker (MSW) and a designated family physician from the clinic. Their focus is on provider education, consultation, and on assisting patients with referrals to the appropriate services. Parameters of success include changes on referral patterns, use of the MSW's services, and clinic satisfaction. In addition, there are indications that early intervention has had a positive impact on subsequent use of other health care system's resources.
Del Toro
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Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA 98052.
Larsen
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Carter
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AP
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008824:Michigan; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014861:Washington