Improving alcohol care in primary care settings using standardized measures
Official title: Understanding practical alcohol measures in primary care to prepare for measurement-based care: Scaled EHR measures of alcohol use and DSM-5 AUD symptoms
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10688183 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve how doctors spot and help people with unhealthy drinking habits by using simple screening tools, and it involves gathering information from over 250,000 patients to see how well these tools work in everyday healthcare settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $375,390 |
| NIH project number | 5R33AA028073-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10688183 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who attend primary care appointments and may be experiencing unhealthy alcohol use or symptoms of AUD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are not engaged in primary care settings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the detection and management of unhealthy alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in primary care by implementing standardized screening measures. By analyzing a large dataset from Kaiser Permanente Washington, the study will evaluate how well these measures perform in routine clinical settings and their impact on patient care. The research involves collecting data from over 250,000 patients, including alcohol screening results and patient-reported AUD symptoms, to better inform treatment decisions and monitor health outcomes over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved identification and treatment of alcohol use disorders in primary care, ultimately enhancing patient health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using standardized measures for alcohol screening in clinical settings, indicating a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hallgren, Kevin a. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Hallgren, Kevin a.
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Improving alcohol use screening in primary care settings
This study is looking at how to better spot and help people with unhealthy drinking habits and alcohol use disorder during regular doctor visits, using information from over 250,000 patients to find the best ways to make this part of your healthcare routine.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.