Improving Health Behaviors Through Telephone Linked Care

Study That Examines Integration of the Telephone Linked Care Behavioral Change (Automated Counseling) System Into Primary Care

The investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial at the patient level of the Telephone Linked Care - Behavioral Change (TLC-BC) system, which is designed to promote smoking cessation, reduce risky drinking, and improve physical activity and diet. They expect to: successfully integrate an automated telephone behavior change intervention into primary care practices; demonstrate improvement in health behaviors for individuals randomized (assigned by systematic chance) to use the TLC-BC system compared to individuals who receive written health education informational packets; and evaluate the direct costs associated with the use and operation of the TLC-BC system. Project aims and hypotheses follow: Aim 1: Integrate a proven, totally automated computer telephone intervention, Telephone Linked Care - Behavior Change (TLC-BC), into primary care practices. This will be assessed by the patient and clinician/staff surveys at the end of data collection. Aim 2: Demonstrate an improvement in health behaviors for individuals randomized to use the TLC-BC system compared to individuals who receive written informational packets. Aim 3: Evaluate the direct costs associated with the use and operation of the TLC-BC system within the primary care setting. Hypothesis 1: The Telephone Linked Care - Behavioral Change system will be successfully implemented by patients and practices. Hypothesis 2: At 6 months a clinically significant improvement in behavioral change rates will be demonstrated for diet, physical activity, and smoking in the intervention group compared to patients in the control group. Hypothesis 3: At baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months risky drinking will be identified, but there will be no difference in improvement between the study groups.

At 6 months a clinically significant improvement in behavioral change rates will be demonstrated for diet, physical activity and smoking in the intervention group compared to patients in the control group

At baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months risky drinking will be identified, but there will be no difference in improvement between the study groups.

Inclusion Criteria: 18 years or older Capable of giving informed consent Reliable access to a phone Able to read English Exclusion Criteria: Less than 18 years of age Not capable of giving informed consent No reliable access to a phone Unable to read English (including blindness) Too ill to participate Not willing to allow the Telephone Linked Care - Behavior Change system to provide health information reports based on responses to physician