Follow-up of provision of inpatient treatment for UK Healthcare Professionals with alcohol dependence: snapshot of a pilot specialist National Health Service.
Alcohol dependent healthcare professionals (AHCPs) entering a specialized National Health Service (NHS) inpatient treatment facility in southeast London, UK, were investigated. A retrospective case-note analysis was conducted, supplemented with a postal questionnaire. Twenty-three mature (mean age 46.7 years; 13 male) AHCPs, 82% of admissions, with a mean duration of alcohol dependence of 16.5 years were followed-up at an average of 26 months postdischarge. Half of the sample met criteria for lifetime psychiatric disorder. Physical illness was also a prominent problem. At follow-up, six professionals reported continuous abstinence since discharge. For those who continued drinking, there was a significant reduction in daily quantity consumed. This study suggests that the absence of an adequate treatment infrastructure and administrative resources have a major impact on access to treatment services and outcomes for addicted healthcare professionals. There is a need for supported and dedicated services for this group within the UK National Health Service. The study's limitations are noted.
Gross
Samantha R
SR
National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK. s.gross@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Wolff
Kim
K
Strang
John
J
Marshall
E Jane
EJ
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011363:Professional Impairment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom