Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T20:25:40.258Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Engaging problem drinkers in a general hospital setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Catherine McDonnell ,
Diana G Patterson  and
Ann Marie Hughes
Catherine McDonnell
Affiliation:
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Diana G Patterson
Affiliation:
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Ann Marie Hughes
Affiliation:
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the level of engagement as defined by return for out-patient appointment in patients referred for alcohol counselling in a general hospital. Method: The hospital was offered a service with counselling within 24 hours for patients who were identified by ward staff as having alcohol related problems. Referred patients were interviewed on the ward by a nurse who specialised in alcohol counselling. Follow-up appointments were offered. Results: 60% of those given counselling returned for further counselling as out-patients. 83% of women counselled were engaged compared with 42% of men (p<0.05). The mean SADD (a measure of alcohol dependency) score was 23.9 in those subjects who were engaged and 18.6 in those not engaged (p<0.05), indicating greater dependency in the former group. Conclusions: Although these patients had not actively sought help with their drinking 60% returned for counselling as out-patients. Women and those with high levels of alcohol dependency were more likely to seek further counselling.

Keywords

AlcoholGeneral hospitalLiaison
Type
Clinical & Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , November 1992 , pp. 126 - 129
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Babor, TF, Ritson, EB, Hodgson, RJ. Alcohol related problems in the primary health care setting: a review of early intervention strategies. Br J Addict 1986; 81: 23–46.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Bell, J, The, E, Patel, A, Lewis, J, Batey, R. The detection of at risk drinking in a teaching hospital. Med J Aust 1988; 149: 351–355.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Price, J. Alcohol screening and early intervention: an achievable advance in management. Med J Aust 1988; 149: 345–346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Brown, P, Mackay, IR. Social correlates of advanced alcoholism and effect of counselling. Med J Aust 1985; 142: 296–298.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Cooper, SE. Survey of studies on alcoholism. Int J Addict 1983; 18: 971–985.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Raistrick, D, Dunbar, G, Davidson, R. Development of a questionnaire to measure alcohol dependence. Br J Addict 1983; 78: 89–95.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Tolley, K, Rowland, N. Identification of alcohol-related problems in a general hospital setting: a cost-effectiveness evaluation. Br J Addict 1991; 86: 429–438.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Sherin, KM, Piotrowski, ZH, Panek, SM, Doot, MC. Screening for alcoholism in a community hospital. J Fam Pract 1982; 15 (6): 1091–1095.Google Scholar
9.Holt, S. Identification and intervention for alcohol abuse. JSC Med Assoc 1989; 85(12): 554–9.Google ScholarPubMed
10.Mendelson, EF. Alcohol-related psychiatric emergencies: their characteristics and care at a walk-in clinic. Br J Psychiatry 1987; 150: 121–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Sutherland, G, Stockwell, T, Edwards, G. The impact of a research interview on clinical re-attendance: a happy finding. Br J Addict 1985; 80: 221–212.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Rees, DW, Farmer, R. Health beliefs and attendance for specialist alcoholism treatment. Br J Psychiatry 1985; 147: 317–319.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Heather, N. Psychology and brief interventions. Br J Addict 1989; 84: 357–370.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Elvy, GA, Wells, JE, Baird, KA. Attempted referral as intervention for problem drinking in the general hospital. Br J Addict 1988; 83: 83–89.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Antti-Poika, I, Karaharju, E, Roine, R, Salaspuro, M. Intervention of heavy drinking – a prospective and controlled study of 438 consecutive injured male patients. Alcohol Alcohol 1988; 23 (2): 115–121.Google ScholarPubMed
16.Gentilello, LM, Duggan, P, Drummond, D, Tonnesen, A, Degner, E E, Fischer, RP, Reed, RL. Major injury as a unique opportunity to initiate treatment in the alcoholic. Am J Surg 1988; 156 (6): 558–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Jernigan, DH, Mosher, JF, Reed, DF. Alcohol-related problems in public hospitals: defining a new role in prevention. J Public Health Policy 1989; 10 (3): 324–352.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Glaser, FB. Alcohol and drug problems: a challenge to consultation liaison psychiatry. Can J Psychiatry 1988; 33 (4): 259–263.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Prochaska, JO, Di Clemente, CC. Towards a comprehensive model of change. In: Miller, WR, Heather, NH, editors. Treating addictive behaviours; process of change. New York: Plenum Press, 1986.Google Scholar