Improving how VA doctors recognize alcohol problems in primary care using a standard symptom checklist
Official title: Improving recognition of alcohol use disorders in Veterans Health Administration primary care through implementation of standardized symptom assessment
Funded at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System · NIH-11109353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VA project will introduce a standardized symptom assessment in primary care to better identify veterans with alcohol use disorder and connect them to care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Puget Sound Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2HX003856-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans receiving care in VA primary care clinics who may be experiencing heavy alcohol use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not using VA primary care or not experiencing AUD-related symptoms may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to make recognizing alcohol use disorder more accurate and fair for veterans by using a digital, pre-visit symptom checklist that plugs into the VA electronic health record. Clinic teams will receive implementation strategies tailored to VA primary care to use the tool consistently. The effort includes engaging patients and staff to refine the assessment and ensure it fits VA workflows, with plans for proactive outreach after an AUD is identified. The goal is to help PCPs recognize AUD earlier and initiate appropriate treatment when ready.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans with AUD will be identified earlier and linked to timely, appropriate care.
How similar studies have gone: Similar standardized assessments have improved recognition of AUD in primary care settings, though VA-specific implementation is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frost, Madeline C — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Frost, Madeline C
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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.