My study, a survey experiment measuring the variability in acceptability in patient acceptance to alcohol enquiry by GPs was published in the July 2015 edition of Australian Family Physician.
Authors:
- Chun Wah Michael Tam
- Louis Hion-Lam Leong
- Nicholas Zwar
- Charlotte Hespe
Abstract
Background
General practitioners have a crucial role in detecting risky drinking in patients. However, little is known about how the context of the consultation affect patient acceptability of these discussions.
Methods
During one week in May 2014, adult patients seen at a community general practice in Sydney were randomised to receive one of two postal questionnaires. Participants rated the acceptability of alcohol enquiry in 20 vignettes of general practice consultations, either within a SNAP (smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity) framework (intervention) or alone (control).
Results
Of the 441 patients who received the questionnaires, 144 returned completed and returned it. The intervention group rated an additional 2.1 (95% CI = 0.38–3.7, P = 0.016) vignettes as acceptable compared to the control group. Alcohol enquiry acceptability varied greatly between individual scenarios.
Discussion
Alcohol-use assessment may be more acceptable to patients when it is framed within the SNAP framework, especially in certain presentations (eg diabetes management)
