[Characteristics of patients with alcohol- or drug problems in medical practices "addiction" in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern].
BACKGROUND
The pilot scheme "Medical practices with emphasis on addiction" examines one approach in the outpatient treatment of patients with addiction. Nine medical practices in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania participate in this project, and the goal is to lower the threshold for the utilisation of help and to provide a long-term relationship between the patient and the physician.


OBJECTIVE
Results of the first survey of patients and physicians are presented as part of the scientific evaluation of the entire project.


METHODS
Data of 876 patients was assessed. There is data about the severity of alcohol dependence (SESA), about negative consequences of drinking and about utilisation of help for n = 627 patients. These were compared with a sample of n = 153 subjects with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence from a population-based survey. Medical doctors provided information on the duration and quality of patient contact, current drug consumption and content of treatment for n = 472 patients.


RESULTS
Of all patients, 51 % were treated for more than 3 years in the respective practice. Among the patients, 45 % were current drug users, further help was recommended for 77 %. In comparison with the reference group, patients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in those practices were more severely dependent, reported more problems concerning health, work, or finances and utilised addiction-specific help more often.


CONCLUSIONS
The medical practices under examination undertake the task to provide long-term support for patients with addiction diagnoses and encourage patients to utilize more help from further sources. Their patients with alcohol diagnoses differ substantially from persons in the general population with regard to severity of dependence and related problems. This justifies an intensive medical and psychosocial support by specialised practitioners.
Röske
K
K
Institut für Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Medizinische Fakultät, Greifswald. roeske@uni-greifswald.de
Riedel
J
J
Hapke
U
U
Wosniak
R
R
Doese
D
D
Ohde
L
L
John
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome