Using innovative video doctor technology in primary care to deliver brief smoking and alcohol intervention

Health Promot Pract. 2003 Jul;4(3):249-61. doi: 10.1177/1524839903004003009.

Abstract

Given physicians' increased responsibilities and time constraints, it is increasingly difficult for primary care physicians to assume a major role in delivering smoking and alcohol assessment and intervention. The authors developed an innovative use of computer technology in the form of a "video doctor" to support physicians with this. In this article, two brief interventions, delivered by an interactive, multimedia video doctor, that reduce primary care patients' smoking and alcohol use are detailed: (a) a patient-centered advice message and (b) a brief motivational intervention. The authors are testing the use of the video doctor to deliver these interventions in a randomized, controlled study, Project Choice. A pilot study testing the feasibility and acceptability of the video doctor suggests it was well received and accepted by patients (n = 52) and potentially provides an innovative, cost-effective, and practical way to support providers' efforts to reduce smoking and alcohol use in primary care populations.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking / ethnology
  • Alcohol Drinking / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Innovation
  • Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration
  • Pilot Projects
  • Primary Health Care / methods*
  • Program Development
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Smoking / ethnology
  • Smoking Prevention*
  • United States
  • Video Recording*