Improving alcohol use screening in primary care settings
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-10912084 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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) | $42,355 |
| NIH project number | 3R33AA028073-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912084 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 seeking care for alcohol-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the detection and management of unhealthy alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in primary care. By utilizing standardized measures to screen for alcohol consumption and assess AUD symptoms, the study aims to improve clinical care for patients. Researchers will analyze a large dataset from Kaiser Permanente Washington, which includes responses from over 250,000 patients regarding their alcohol use and AUD symptoms. The goal is to understand how these measures can be effectively integrated into routine primary care appointments and documented in electronic health records.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and treatment of unhealthy alcohol use, ultimately improving patient health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that standardized screening measures can effectively improve the identification and management of alcohol use disorders in clinical settings.
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 care in primary care settings using standardized measures
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.
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.