ASSESSING SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT NEEDS AMONG THE HOMELESS - A TELEPHONE-BASED INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM

Objectives. We report on a pilot project that used a telephone-based i nteractive voice response system, accessed by cellular phones at diver se sites, to interview homeless persons on their need for alcohol and other drug treatment. Methods. Using this technique, we surveyed 207 h omeless adults at eight shelters in Cleveland, Ohio. Results. The cell ular approach was comparable to human-administered interviews in relia bility and validity and yielded higher self-reported levels of drug us e. Conclusions. Cellular telephones and interactive voice response int erviewing systems can be useful tools in assessing for the health-serv ice needs of difficult-to-reach populations.