AIMS: To characterize England's alcohol assertive outreach treatment (AAOT) services for people who frequently attend hospital due to alcohol-related reasons according to their concordance with six core AAOT components. METHODS: A cross-sectional national survey using structured telephone interviews with health professionals examining 6 essential AAOT components. High-level AAOT services were those that delivered 5 or more components, mid-level 3 to 4 components, low-level AAOT services 2 or less. RESULTS: The analysis included 37 services that were classified according to their concordance with the 6 AAOT components. Six were identified as high-level AAOT services, 13 as mid-level AAOT services and 18 as low-level services. Extended support covering housing, mental and physical health over and above alcohol consumption was the most commonly delivered AAOT component provided. Having a multidisciplinary team was the least observed component, delivered in 33% high-level AAOT services and in 15% mid-level AAOT services. None of the low-level AAOT services had a multidisciplinary team. CONCLUSIONS: Access to AAOT services developed to support high-cost and high-needs frequent hospital attenders varies across the nation. Further research, service evaluation and AAOT implementation should focus on essential AAOT components rather than self-defined labels of AAOT. SHORT SUMMARY: The study investigated alcohol assertive outreach treatment (AAOT) services in England. The study found variability in service provision across AAOT services when measured against six essential AAOT components. Improvement of AAOT in England's hospitals should focus on the implementation of essential AAOT components.
AIMS: To characterize England's alcohol assertive outreach treatment (AAOT) services for people who frequently attend hospital due to alcohol-related reasons according to their concordance with six core AAOT components. METHODS: A cross-sectional national survey using structured telephone interviews with health professionals examining 6 essential AAOT components. High-level AAOT services were those that delivered 5 or more components, mid-level 3 to 4 components, low-level AAOT services 2 or less. RESULTS: The analysis included 37 services that were classified according to their concordance with the 6 AAOT components. Six were identified as high-level AAOT services, 13 as mid-level AAOT services and 18 as low-level services. Extended support covering housing, mental and physical health over and above alcohol consumption was the most commonly delivered AAOT component provided. Having a multidisciplinary team was the least observed component, delivered in 33% high-level AAOT services and in 15% mid-level AAOT services. None of the low-level AAOT services had a multidisciplinary team. CONCLUSIONS: Access to AAOT services developed to support high-cost and high-needs frequent hospital attenders varies across the nation. Further research, service evaluation and AAOT implementation should focus on essential AAOT components rather than self-defined labels of AAOT. SHORT SUMMARY: The study investigated alcohol assertive outreach treatment (AAOT) services in England. The study found variability in service provision across AAOT services when measured against six essential AAOT components. Improvement of AAOT in England's hospitals should focus on the implementation of essential AAOT components.
Authors: Roger Williams; Charles Alessi; Graeme Alexander; Michael Allison; Richard Aspinall; Rachel L Batterham; Neeraj Bhala; Natalie Day; Anil Dhawan; Colin Drummond; James Ferguson; Graham Foster; Ian Gilmore; Raphael Goldacre; Harriet Gordon; Clive Henn; Deirdre Kelly; Alastair MacGilchrist; Roger McCorry; Neil McDougall; Zulfiquar Mirza; Kieran Moriarty; Philip Newsome; Richard Pinder; Stephen Roberts; Harry Rutter; Stephen Ryder; Marianne Samyn; Katherine Severi; Nick Sheron; Douglas Thorburn; Julia Verne; John Williams; Andrew Yeoman Journal: Lancet Date: 2021-03-11 Impact factor: 202.731
Authors: R Blackwood; A Wolstenholme; A Kimergård; S Fincham-Campbell; Z Khadjesari; S Coulton; S Byford; P Deluca; S Jennings; E Currell; J Dunne; J O'Toole; J Winnington; E Finch; C Drummond Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-03-14 Impact factor: 3.295