Talking about alcohol with patients who are not seeking treatment

Studies undertaken in general hospital confirm the high prevalence of alcohol problems among hospitalised patients. Unfortunately, only few of them will be recognised and receive relevant information according to their clinical situation. As far as we know, early screening and targeted intervention...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRevue médicale suisse Vol. 1; no. 26; p. 1712
Main Author Guillo, F
Format Journal Article
LanguageFrench
Published Switzerland 29.06.2005
Subjects
Alcoholism - diagnosis
Alcoholism - rehabilitation
Female
Humans
Inpatients
Male
Mass Screening - methods
Middle Aged
Program Evaluation
Switzerland
Switzerland
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Summary:Studies undertaken in general hospital confirm the high prevalence of alcohol problems among hospitalised patients. Unfortunately, only few of them will be recognised and receive relevant information according to their clinical situation. As far as we know, early screening and targeted intervention are useful to prevent more severe alcohol-related problems but most of care givers as doctors or nurses fail to screen and counsel adequately problem drinkers. Considering the importance of the problem in hospitalised patients, screening and intervention is a public health issue. Hospitalisation is a good opportunity for achieving these goals. This paper describes the activity of a specialised health professional who implemented a bed-patient consultation for those who were screened as problem drinkers during their hospitalisation for any reason but alcohol detoxification or rehabilitation. Strategies to talk about alcohol issues with resistant to change patients are discussed.
ISSN:1660-9379