Widening access to treatment for alcohol misuse: description and formative evaluation of an innovative web-based service in one primary care trust.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the development and evaluation of an innovative web-based service for hazardous or harmful drinkers.


METHODS
Patients were identified in General Practice and referred to the new service. Mixed methods were used for evaluation.


RESULTS
The service was feasible and acceptable to patients, primary care professionals and commissioners. Users appeared to reduce their alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
This model may be of interest to other primary care commissioners looking to increase access to alcohol treatments at low cost.
E-Health unit, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, Upper Floor 3, Rowlabd Hill Street, London NW3, UK. elizabeth.murray@ucl.ac.uk
Elizabeth
E
Murray
Stuart
S
Linke
Elissa
E
Harwood
Sophie
S
Conroy
Fiona
F
Stevenson
Christine
C
Godfrey
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult