title: Implementation of a computerized alcohol advice concept in routine emergency care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a growing body of evidence for computer-generated advice for many health behaviours. This study evaluated the implementation of a computerized concept to provide tailored advice on alcohol in a Swedish emergency department (ED).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate the usage of the concept over 12 months: participation rate among the ED population; representativeness of the participants; and participation development over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  The target population was defined as all patients aged 18-69 years given a card from ED triage staff with a request to conduct a computerized test about their alcohol use. After completing the 5-10-min programme, the patient received a printout, containing personalised alcohol habit feedback, as calculated by the computer from the patient's answers. Data for this study were primarily obtained from the computer programme and ED logs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-one percent of the target population completed the computerized test and received tailored alcohol advice. The number of patients who used the concept showed a slight decreasing trend during the first half of the year, leveling off for the second half of the year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A computerized concept for provision of alcohol advice can be implemented in an ED without unrealistic demands on staff and with limited external support to attain sustainability.
authors.affiliation: Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Community Medicine, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. per.nilsen@ihs.liu.se
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Festin
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Guldbrandsson
authors.forename: Siw
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carlfjord
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holmqvist
authors.forename: Preben
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bendtsen