The launch of a new evidence-based toolkit for GPs aims to support primary care in providing screening and brief interventions for harmful alcohol use.
Evidence-based screening and brief interventions for problem alcohol consumption in primary care can make a major impact on the health of harmful and hazardous drinkers and save lives, a recent Dublin meeting on the subject heard.
A new alcohol management toolkit for GPs, sponsored by Lundbeck, that covers all aspects of screening and intervention required to address the broad spectrum of alcohol issues encountered in primary care was launched at the meeting.
Chaired by Dr Miriam Daly, the meeting was attended by GPs from around the country keen to hear about how general practice can take a more proactive, evidence-based approach to picking up and addressing problem alcohol use in their patients. The meeting focused on when and who to screen, and what tools have been shown to work and are in use in the UK, which has a more structured approach to alcohol misuse in the community than Ireland.
Burden
The meeting was reminded that alcohol is the third highest risk factor, after smoking and raised blood pressure, for ill health and premature death in the EU. Alcohol is a contributory factor in 50 per cent of all suicides and 28 per cent of injuries presenting in emergency departments in Ireland. It is also a factor in 27 per cent of domestic abuse cases and 16 per cent of child abuse and neglect cases, yet there is a lack of primary care based services in Ireland.
“Approximately 88 deaths per month in Ireland are attributable to alcohol and there is a worrying trend of increased incidences of illness related to alcohol in young people. As a GP in Ringsend I’m aware on a daily basis of the morbidity related to alcohol in families and individuals,” Dr Daly commented.
Source: imt.ie, 05/02/14
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