Facilitated Access to an Alcohol Reduction Website in Primary Care: The Pilot Phase of the EFAR-FVG Randomised Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial
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Abstract
Background
Brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption for at-risk drinkers. Nonetheless, several factors, such as time constraints, prevent their wide implementation in primary care settings. Providing facilitated access to an alcohol reduction website could be a promising alternative to the face-to-face brief intervention, although evidence regarding the effectiveness of such a solution is limited.
Objective
The study aims at evaluating whether facilitated access to an alcohol reduction website for at-risk drinkers is not inferior to the face-to-face brief intervention in primary care.
Methods
This randomised controlled non-inferiority trial is carried out in primary care practices in the Region of Friuli Giulia Venezia (Italy) and consists of two phases: pilot and main trial. General Practitioners (GPs) are distributing leaflets and are inviting patients to access a specially designed healthy lifestyle portal in order to undertake an online screening, based on the three-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C). Those scoring positive undergo a baseline assessment with the validated Italian versions of the ten-question AUDIT and EQ-5D quality of life questionnaire, and are randomly assigned to receive either the online facilitated access to the website or a conventional face-to-face intervention by their GPs. Participants are assessed in follow-ups at three, six and twelve months after randomisation with the AUDIT questionnaire.
Results
The pilot phase of the trial was launched in January 2013 and the one-month follow up was carried out in February 2013. Twelve practices have recruited patients since then and more than a thousand leaflets have been distributed. The pilot will be completed in May 2013 and the full findings will be presented. Outcomes will be calculated on the basis of the proportion of risky drinkers in each group.
Conclusions
By providing the necessary evidence, this study could have a significant impact on the future delivery of behavioural change in primary care. The pilot phase will be of aid to the final design of the main trial, which will be launched in January 2014. The trial is expected to be replicated in Australia, the UK and Spain as well.
Brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption for at-risk drinkers. Nonetheless, several factors, such as time constraints, prevent their wide implementation in primary care settings. Providing facilitated access to an alcohol reduction website could be a promising alternative to the face-to-face brief intervention, although evidence regarding the effectiveness of such a solution is limited.
Objective
The study aims at evaluating whether facilitated access to an alcohol reduction website for at-risk drinkers is not inferior to the face-to-face brief intervention in primary care.
Methods
This randomised controlled non-inferiority trial is carried out in primary care practices in the Region of Friuli Giulia Venezia (Italy) and consists of two phases: pilot and main trial. General Practitioners (GPs) are distributing leaflets and are inviting patients to access a specially designed healthy lifestyle portal in order to undertake an online screening, based on the three-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C). Those scoring positive undergo a baseline assessment with the validated Italian versions of the ten-question AUDIT and EQ-5D quality of life questionnaire, and are randomly assigned to receive either the online facilitated access to the website or a conventional face-to-face intervention by their GPs. Participants are assessed in follow-ups at three, six and twelve months after randomisation with the AUDIT questionnaire.
Results
The pilot phase of the trial was launched in January 2013 and the one-month follow up was carried out in February 2013. Twelve practices have recruited patients since then and more than a thousand leaflets have been distributed. The pilot will be completed in May 2013 and the full findings will be presented. Outcomes will be calculated on the basis of the proportion of risky drinkers in each group.
Conclusions
By providing the necessary evidence, this study could have a significant impact on the future delivery of behavioural change in primary care. The pilot phase will be of aid to the final design of the main trial, which will be launched in January 2014. The trial is expected to be replicated in Australia, the UK and Spain as well.
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