Michael T. French

Benefit-cost analysis of brief physician advice with problem drinkers in primary care settings.

BACKGROUND Few studies have estimated the economic costs and benefits of brief physician advice in managed care settings. OBJECTIVE To conduct a benefit-cost analysis of brief physician advice regarding problem drinking. DESIGN Patient and health care costs associated with brief advice were compared with economic benefits associated with changes in health care utilization, legal events, and motor vehicle accidents using 6- and 12-month follow-up data from Project TrEAT (Trial for Early Alcohol Treatment), a randomized controlled clinical trial. SUBJECTS 482 men and 292 women who reported drinking above a threshold limit were randomized into control (n = 382) or intervention (n = 392) groups. MEASURES Outcomes included alcohol use, emergency department visits, hospital days, legal events, and motor vehicle accidents. RESULTS No significant differences between control and intervention subjects were present for baseline alcohol use, age, socioeconomic status, smoking, depression or anxiety, conduct disorders, drug use, crimes, motor vehicle accidents, or health care utilization. The total economic benefit of the brief intervention was

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