Embedding brief interventions for alcohol in general practice: a study protocol for the REACH Project feasibility...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Implementation Science
• Primary Care Research

Background:

• Alcohol misuse is a significant public health issue in Australia, disproportionately impacting low-income communities.
• Alcohol brief interventions (ABIs) are effective but underutilized by clinicians in routine practice.
• A feasibility trial is proposed to address barriers to ABI uptake in Australian general practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate facilitators and barriers to increasing Alcohol brief interventions (ABIs) uptake in primary care.
• To assess the acceptability, reach, adoption, fidelity, and sustainability of implementation strategies.
• To improve alcohol screening and management for low-income patients within general practice.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods evaluation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Normalisation Process Theory (NPT).
• Trial of pragmatic implementation strategies and resources in five general practices over 12 months.
• Data collection includes electronic medical record analysis, practice surveys, and interviews with clinicians, patients, and staff.

Main Results:

• The primary outcome is the change in the proportion of adult patients with a complete alcohol history in their electronic medical records.
• Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention will be assessed through qualitative and quantitative data.
• Data will be collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• This study will provide insights into effective strategies for integrating Alcohol brief interventions (ABIs) into general practice.
• Findings will inform the improved delivery of alcohol screening and management services for vulnerable populations.
• The research aims to enhance the sustainability of Alcohol brief interventions (ABIs) in primary care settings.