Validating changes in a primary-care based alcohol use screening instrument for predicting changes in risk for psychiatric acute care utilization

Project Type(s):

Principal Investigator(s):
  • Megan Lee, MD
Co-Investigator(s):

Approximately 20-25% of primary care patients have unhealthy alcohol use, which can have significant impacts on mental health. Screening for unhealthy alcohol use within primary care settings is increasingly used for point-in-time identification of people who could benefit from brief advice or brief interventions. My project will use a large, longitudinal, real-world dataset consisting of electronic health record (EHR) and insurance claims records to test whether longitudinal changes in alcohol screening scores completed by primary care patients as part of routine care are associated with changes in one-year risk for psychiatric acute care utilization (i.e., emergency department visit or hospital encounters primarily for a mental health condition).

Project Period:
September 1, 2024 — August 31, 2025

Funding Type(s):
State/UW

Funder(s):
Clinician Scientist Training Program

Research Program(s):

Geographic Area(s):
Washington

Patient Population(s):
Adults

Targeted Condition(s):
Alcohol use disorders/misuse