NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

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.

More Alcohol Use research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVA Puget Sound Healthcare System
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2026
Project endMarch 31, 2031
Funding year2026
NIH project number1IK2HX003856-01A2
Project IDNIH-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

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.