Danish feasibility study of a new innovation for treating alcohol disorders in primary care: the 15-method

BMC Prim Care. 2022 Feb 28;23(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s12875-022-01639-5.

Abstract

Background: The 15-method: a new brief intervention tool for alcohol problems in primary care has shown promising results in Sweden for mild to moderate alcohol use disorders. The present study evaluated the 15-method's usability, organizational integration, and overall implementation feasibility in Danish general practice in preparation for a large-scale evaluation of the method's effectiveness in identifying and treating alcohol problems in general practice.

Methods: Five general practices in the Central and Southern Region of Denmark participated: seven general practitioners (GPs), eight nurses. Participants received a half day of training in the 15-method. Testing of implementation strategies and overall applicability ran for 2 months. A focus group interview and two individual interviews with participating GPs along with five individual patient interviews concluded the study period.

Results: Results indicate that implementation of the 15-method is feasible in Danish general practice. The healthcare professionals and patients were positive about the method and its possibilities. The method was considered a new patient centered treatment offer and provided structure to a challenging topic. An interdisciplinary approach was much welcomed. Results indicate that the method is ready for large scale evaluation.

Conclusions: Implementation of the 15-method is considered feasible in Danish general practice and large-scale evaluation is currently being planned.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism* / diagnosis
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Feasibility Studies
  • General Practitioners*
  • Humans
  • Primary Health Care