Patients' alcohol drinking habits in general practice: prevention and education

A survey of alcohol drinking habits using a questionnaire was conducted in a practice with 2 GPs and 4500 patients. Six hundred and thirty-two questionnaires were completed by all patients aged 15 and over attending the surgery during a three month period. Forty-five patients drinking in excess of 2...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 1988-08, Vol.81 (8), p.450-451
Main Author: Shute, P A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Alcoholism - diagnosis
Alcoholism - prevention & control
Counseling
Family Practice
Health Education
Humans
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Summary:A survey of alcohol drinking habits using a questionnaire was conducted in a practice with 2 GPs and 4500 patients. Six hundred and thirty-two questionnaires were completed by all patients aged 15 and over attending the surgery during a three month period. Forty-five patients drinking in excess of 20 units of alcohol per week were identified, 22 of whom submitted to formal interview, examination, haematology, serum biochemistry and an education plan. When 20 of these were followed up after 3 months, 9 claimed to have significantly reduced their alcohol consumption and 10 remembered half or more of the 'education plan'. As a result of the survey, drinking habits were recorded in the notes of 15% of the practice list and many associated medical problems were recognized for the first time.
ISSN:0141-0768
1758-1095
DOI:10.1177/014107688808100810