title: Physician documentation of family alcohol problems.
abstract: This study was conducted to determine whether family medicine residents' documentation of patient and family alcohol problems corresponded with patients' assessments. A random sample of 180 patient charts from a university-based family practice was audited and 78% (n = 140) of these patients participated in telephone interviews. Of those who participated in the telephone interview, 40% (n = 56) reported a positive family history of drinking problems, 28% (n = 39) indicated that they were currently concerned about the alcohol use of someone in their family, and 24% (n = 34) reported that at least one family member currently had an alcohol problem. Ninety-six percent (n = 134) of the subjects indicated that they believed physicians should ask about family alcohol problems and 91% (n = 128) believed physicians could be helpful in alcohol treatment at least some of the time. The audit of the 180 medical records indicated that residents charted a positive family history on 13% (n = 23) of the records and noted impact upon the family due to a member's drinking in 2% (n = 4) of the records. The study revealed that residents frequently did not identify alcohol problems or related family difficulties and highlighted the need for training and education in this area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4950.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zyzanski
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reeb
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sedlacek
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emmitt-Myers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations