Usefulness, length and content of alcohol-related discussions in primary health care: the exit poll survey.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patients' opinions of the usefulness of alcohol-related discussions with general practitioners (GPs), the time used for the discussion and its main content.


METHODS
Exit poll survey to 2000 consecutive patients right after GP consultations.


RESULTS
The response rate was 60.2% (1203/2000). Of the patients 11.6% (139/1203) reported that they were asked and/or advised about alcohol during the consultation. The time used for discussion about alcohol was mostly <4 min; longer for heavy than for non-heavy drinkers. Main topics of the discussion dealt with quantities consumed and harm caused by alcohol. The majority of the patients (81%) reported that discussions concerning alcohol were useful. In that respect heavy drinkers did not differ from non-heavy drinkers.


CONCLUSIONS
Discussions about alcohol in primary health care were rare and short, but patients' opinions about their usefulness were mainly positive.
Aalto
Mauri
M
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, PO Box 33, FIN-00251 Helsinki, Finland. mauri.aalto@ktl.fi
Seppä
Kaija
K
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires