title: A systematic review of emergency care brief alcohol interventions for injury patients.
abstract: This article examines 14 studies that assessed the effectiveness of brief interventions (BIs) delivered to injury patients in emergency care settings. The aims were to review findings concerning the effectiveness of providing BI in these settings and to explore factors contributing to its effectiveness. Of the 12 studies that compared pre- and post-BI results, 11 observed a significant effect of BI on at least some of the outcomes: alcohol intake, risky drinking practices, alcohol-related negative consequences, and injury frequency. Two studies assessed only post-BI results. More intensive interventions tended to yield more favorable results. BI patients achieved greater reductions than control group patients, although there was a tendency for the control group(s) to also show improvements. Five studies failed to show significant differences between the compared treatment conditions. Variations in the study protocol, alcohol-related recruitment criteria, screening and assessment methods, and injury severity limit the specific conclusions that can be drawn.
authors: Division of Social Medicine and Public Health Science, Department of Health and Society, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. per.nilsen@ihs.liu.se
authors: Per
authors: P
authors: Nilsen
authors: Janette
authors: J
authors: Baird
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Mello
authors: Ted
authors: T
authors: Nirenberg
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Woolard
authors: Preben
authors: P
authors: Bendtsen
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Longabaugh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control