title: Attitudes towards brief interventions to reduce smoking and problem drinking behaviour in gynaecological practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess attitudes towards brief interventions, obstacles and assessment rates for smoking and problem drinking in gynaecological practice, and to evaluate the differences between smoking and problem drinking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous mail survey was conducted with all 358 primary care gynaecologists in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most gynaecologists considered brief interventions for problem drinking to be less important in gynaecological practice than in general (74% vs 64%). Brief interventions were believed to be ineffective, particularly for problem drinking (64% vs 53% for smoking). Gynaecologists felt better prepared to counsel their patients than to assess substance use. Only 35% stated that they assess the smoking status of every patient, and less than 12% stated that they assess the alcohol consumption of every patient. The counselling rate for smoking was high (79%), but problem drinkers were often referred to specialists (counselling rate 36%). The most important obstacles for the implementation of brief interventions were lack of time and poor patient compliance. In addition, for problem drinking, insufficient specialization was a further obstacle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a link was found between primary gynaecological care and tobacco and alcohol use, brief interventions are not yet integrated into gynaecological practice. There are, however, some promising starting points for patients who smoke, as motivation among gynaecologists to conduct brief interventions and counselling is high. The findings underscore the need for increased medical education and information about brief interventions, as well as assessment programmes for gynaecologists.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lubeck, Ratzeburger Alle 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany. Antje.Demmert@psychiatrie.uk-sh.de
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Demmert
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Grothues
authors: H-J
authors: HJ
authors: Rumpf
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014481:United States