Primary Care Implementation Study to Scale up EIBI and Reduce Alcohol Related Negative Outcomes

Primary Care Implementation Study to Scale up Early Identification and Brief Interventions and Reduce Alcohol Related Negative Outcomes at Community Level (PINO): Study Protocol for a Quasi-experimental 3-arm Study

The aim of this implementation study is to compare the effect of tailored training and support (T&S) for general practioners with T&S and alcohol community actions and the impact it has on early identification of hazardous and harmful drinking and brief intervention.

A quasi-experimental three-arm implementation study will be undertaken in Flanders (Belgium) to assess the effects of tailored training and support to general practitioners (GPs) alone or in an area context of alcohol community actions and compared to 'support as usual' on GP's performance in terms of early identification of hazardous and harmful drinking and brief intervention.

The study will last 18 months and will take place in three cities of comparable size. In each area at least 28 GPs will be recruited.

The primary outcome will be the proportion of consulting adult patients screened for hazardous and harmful alcohol use at the end-point of an 18-month implementation period. The secondary outcomes will be the screening rate as assessed at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months and the proportion of patients screening positive for hazardous and harmful alcohol use that receive a brief intervention at 3,6,9, 12, 15 and 18 months. Furthermore, the relation between GP's views and needs and practices' contexts, and EIBI performance will be explored.

Data regarding screening and brief intervention activities will be collected from the electronic health records (EHR).

Inclusion Criteria:

• GP or GP trainee
• Dutch language use in practice
• Working in general practice in 3 cities of comparable size or their sub municipalities

Exclusion Criteria:

- No possibility of integration of e-form into the EHR-system.