Proactive multipurpose health risk screening in health care settings: Methods, design, and reach

Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2019 Mar;28(1):e1760. doi: 10.1002/mpr.1760. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Abstract

Objectives: Real world implementation of proactive screening and brief intervention in health care is threatened by high cost. Using e-health interventions and screening for multiple health risk factors may provide more efficiency. We describe methodological details of a proactive multipurpose health risk screening in health care settings and report on participation rates, participants' characteristics, and participation factors.

Methods: Patients between 18 and 64 years from ambulatory practices and hospitals were proactively approached by study assistants at three sites for a computerized screening on harmful alcohol and tobacco consumption, depressive symptoms, insufficient fruit/vegetable consumption, physical inactivity and overweight. On the basis of their health risk pattern, a computerized algorithm allocated patients to one of five studies each of them addressing a psychiatric research question.

Results: Among all eligible patients, 13,763 (86.5%) were screened. Younger age and being female predicted screening participation. Of those with complete data (n = 12,828), 82.9% reported at least two health risks and 34.0% were eligible for a study. Study participation ranged between 35.2% and 50.8%, and was associated with socio-demographics and problem severity.

Conclusions: This study supports the use of systematic proactive screening for multiple health risks in health care settings as it is more resource-saving than single focused screening.

Keywords: health care; health risk factor; proactive; recruitment strategy; screening and brief intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis
  • Algorithms
  • Ambulatory Care / methods
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Diet / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Overweight / diagnosis
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Sedentary Behavior
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking / psychology
  • Young Adult

Associated data

  • DRKS/DRKS0001163
  • DRKS/DRKS00011637
  • DRKS/DRKS00013057