Abstract
BackgroundA 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.Method/DesignThe 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.DiscussionWe expect to establish evidence as to whether The Relay Model is either cost-neutral or cost-effective, compared to referral by usual procedures.Trial registrationhttps://register.clinicaltrials.gov/by identifier:RESCueH_Relay NCT02188043 Project Relay Model for Recruiting Alcohol Dependent Patients in General Hospitals (TRN Registration: 07/09/2014)
Highlights
A large proportion of the Danish population consumes more than the officially recommended weekly amount of alcohol
Inspired by the method of Lash and colleagues, we have developed a Danish referral model called The Relay Model which will address the challenge and establish better referral procedure for dependent drinkers
A score of 15– 40 point in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test puts the patient in a harmful drinking or physical dependency category equal to a high risk, where they will benefit from brief intervention and referral to specialist alcohol treatment service
Summary
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. It is estimated that approximately % of the adult population are heavy drinkers consuming >14/ drinks/week (women/men), 14 % have a harmful alcohol use, and 3 % are dependent drinkers [2]. In Denmark the vast majority of services offered to Alcohol use disorders are associated with considerable societal costs and welfare losses to the Danish population. Designed prevention and treatment interventions for alcohol use disorders can, if put into scale, help thousands of Danes and in addition generate economic benefits in terms of savings in the costs to society, listed above. A first approach may be to identify and recruit patients from general hospitals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
