Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

For patients with addicitons (ie. gambling, shopping, alcohol, street or prescribed drugs) what are the comparative benefits between different programs for treatment?

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

yes

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

Programs used to help those with addicitons

What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)

Male and female > 15 years of age, longitudinal design, add in education, ethnicity, co-morbid conditions and concommitant medications over time. Do a study if identifiable risk factors can be found longitudinally similar to the NHANES and Framingham studies.

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

Treat each type of addiction ie. gambling, alcohol, drug/substance abuse, shopping as a subgroup along with 10 year age cohorts, ethnic groups, and if possible stage of disease.

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

It seems that a lot of funds are poured into services every years and my sense is that the services don't directly meet the needs of the patient. It is truly incumbant on the patient to seek out services and correct his/her addiction.

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

I am concerned overall, that the cost of addictions is has enormous indirect costs to society, families, friendships, relationships and the individual. These costs could be dealt with in a more effective manner if we better understood the roots of addictive tendencies and how to effectively identify people in the midst of becoming addicted, and treating those addicted.

Appropriateness for EHC Program

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

yes

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Depression and other mental health disorders
• Developmental delays, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism
• Functional limitations and disability
• Infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS
• Obesity
• Pregnancy, including preterm birth
• Substance abuse

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Low income groups
• Minority groups
• Women
• Children
• Elderly
• Individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities or who need chronic care or end-of-life health care

Federal Health Care Program

• Medicaid
• Medicare
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
• Other

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

I am one who has had a problem and been through many parts of the system and found it to be ineffective. Have seen a lot of waste and realize the enormous financial and human cost involved.

What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)

Potential to make a difference and see how this could change. Economic circumstances and education seem to have direct effects on ability to deal with the situation

Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)

yes

If yes, please explain:

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

It could be a widespread answer in a general manner, and then over time, new researchers could use such a database to research new interventions, programs, education, family interventions etc.

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

It would need to have short and long-term goals

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

I believe addicitions hurt people enormously ...financially, socially, psychologically, physically - almsot in every capacity and yet it is an issue that we do not have enough of a hold on. We fund cardiology, neuro, metabolism and understand many aspects of these diseases and therefore have recoommendations for citizens on how to deal with them, but little for addictions

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

It could be a widespread answer in a general manner, and then over time, new researchers could use such a database to research new interventions, programs, education, family interventions etc.

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program