title: Relay model for recruiting alcohol dependent patients in general hospitals--a single-blind pragmatic randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A large proportion of the Danish population consumes more than the officially recommended weekly amount of alcohol. Untreated alcohol use disorders lead to frequent contacts with the health care system and can be associated with considerable human and societal costs. However, only a small share of those with alcohol use disorders receives treatment. A referral model to ensure treatment for alcohol dependent patients after discharge is needed. This study evaluates the i) cost-effectiveness ii) efficacy and iii) overall impact on societal costs of the proposed referral model - The Relay Model.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a single-blind pragmatic randomized controlled trial including patients admitted to the hospital. The study group (n = 500) will receive an intervention, and the control group (n = 500) will be referred to treatment by usual procedures. All patients complete a lifestyle questionnaire with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test embedded as a case identification strategy. The primary outcome of the study will be health care expenditures 12 months after discharge. The secondary outcome will be the percentage of the target group, who 30 days after discharge, reports at the alcohol treatment clinics. In order to analyse both outcomes, difference-in-difference models will be used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We expect to establish evidence as to whether The Relay Model is either cost-neutral or cost-effective, compared to referral by usual procedures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/by identifier: RESCueH_Relay NCT02188043 Project Relay Model for Recruiting Alcohol Dependent Patients in General Hospitals (TRN Registration: 07/09/2014).
authors.affiliation: RESCueH studies, Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. asschwarz@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Anne-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: RESCueH studies, Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Randi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bilberg
authors.affiliation: RESCueH studies, Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bjerregaard
authors.affiliation: RESCueH studies, Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: The Danish Cancer Society and Aarhus University, Faculty of Health Science, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Søgaard
authors.affiliation: RESCueH studies, Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anette Søgaard
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D018579:Patient Selection; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol Use Disorder; Health economics; Health promotion; Recruitment; Register study