Self-report and biomarker alcohol screening by primary care physicians: the need to translate research into guidelines and practice.
OBJECTIVE
To assess knowledge and use of alcohol self-report and biomarker screening by physicians.


METHODS
Forty-eight primary care physicians were surveyed.


RESULTS
Knowledge of MCV and GGT was as good as that for non-biomarker screening tools (CAGE, AUDIT) although use was significantly less. Knowledge and use of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) was extremely low.


CONCLUSIONS
Little translation of alcohol biomarker research into guidelines for primary care medicine has occurred. Most physicians report they would utilize these tests more frequently with additional knowledge about availability and use.
Miller
Peter M
PM
Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, P.O. Box 250861, Charleston 29425, USA. millerpm@musc.edu
Ornstein
Steven M
SM
Nietert
Paul J
PJ
Anton
Raymond F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010821:Physicians, Family; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards
D015415:Biomarkers