Citation

d'Abbs P, Togni S, Rosewarne C, Boffa J. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Public Health 2013; 37(5): 450-456.

Affiliation

Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Territory Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Northern Territory Research Consultant, Northern Territory Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Northern Territory.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Public Health Association of Australia, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1753-6405.12122

PMID

24090328

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a 12-month trial of an evidence-based non-residential treatment program for Indigenous clients with alcohol problems, offering three streams of care: pharmacotherapy, psychological and social support. METHODS: Process evaluation of program implementation; outcome evaluation of client outcomes. RESULTS: Implementation: despite constraints of time and remoteness, the trial demonstrated the feasibility of implementing such a program. The medical stream generated fewer pharmacotherapy prescriptions than expected. The most active stream was the psychological therapy stream. Outcomes: between March 2008 and April 2009, 129 clients were referred to the program, of whom 49 consented to have de-identified data used for the evaluation. Of these, 19 clients received one or more streams of care, 15 of whom (78.9%) subsequently stopped or reduced drinking. However, among the remaining 30 consenting clients who had not received an intervention, 70.0% also reported stopping or reducing drinking. The evidence of program effectiveness is therefore equivocal and evaluation over a longer period is required. Conclusion and implications: The trial demonstrated the viability of, and demand for, evidence-based non-residential treatment for Indigenous clients with alcohol problems. Reasons behind an apparent reluctance among GPs to prescribe pharmacotherapy for Indigenous clients, and steps to overcome this, need further attention.

Language: en