Screening and intervention for alcohol problems. A national survey of primary care physicians and psychiatrists.
OBJECTIVE
To describe adult primary care physicians' and psychiatrists' approach to alcohol screening and treatment, and to identify correlates of more optimal practices.


METHODS
Cross-sectional mailed survey.


METHODS
A national systematic sample of 2,000 physicians practicing general internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, and psychiatry.


METHODS
Self-reported frequency of screening new outpatients, and treatment recommendations in patients with diagnosed alcohol problems, on 5-point Likert-type scales.


RESULTS
Of the 853 respondent physicians (adjusted response rate, 57%), 88% usually or always ask new outpatients about alcohol use. When evaluating patients who drink, 47% regularly inquire about maximum amounts on an occasion, and 13% use formal alcohol screening tools. Only 82% routinely offer intervention to diagnosed problem drinkers. Psychiatrists had the most optimal practices; more consistent screening and intervention was also associated with greater confidence in alcohol history taking, familiarity with expert guidelines, and less concern that patients will object.


CONCLUSIONS
Most primary care physicians and psychiatrists ask patients about alcohol use, but fewer use recommended screening protocols or offer formal treatment. A substantial minority of physicians miss the opportunity to intervene in alcohol problems. Efforts to improve physicians' screening and intervention for alcohol problems should address their confidence in their skills, familiarity with expert recommendations, and beliefs that patients object to their involvement
Friedmann
P D
PD
Division of General Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI 02906, USA. pfriedmann@lifespan.org
McCullough
D
D
Chin
M H
MH
Saitz
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology