Health-care reform provides an opportunity for evidence-based alcohol treatment in the USA: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline as a model

摘要

The NICE guideline [1] on the diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence should be required reading for anyone concerned about evidence-based approaches to alcohol treatment. The guideline was developed to 'improve standards of care, diminish unacceptable variations in the provision and quality of care . . . and ensure that the health service is patient centred' (p. 13). Under the UK single-payer model, once a NICE guideline is published and disseminated, local health-care groups are expected to develop a plan to implement the guideline.