Impact of a primary care training program on the prevention and management of unhealthy alcohol use: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of a training program targeted to Primary Care (PC) professionals on the acquisition of communication skills, attitudes, and knowledge about the prevention and management of unhealthy alcohol use. Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-and post-intervention study was performed in PC centers of Cordoba (Spain). Family doctors, residents and nurses participated in the study. The intervention was based on a motivational interviewing training program, which consisted in a workshop on learning skills, attitudes and knowledge about the alcohol management. PC providers were videotaped with a standardized patient in order to check the clinical and communication competencies acquired. A descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis was carried out (p<0.05). Results: PC providers' communication skills and attitudes showed significant improvements in the variables studied (p<0.001), as well as in the clinical interview evaluation parameters. Conclusion: The present study reveals the impact of a training program targeted to PC professionals on communication skills, attitudes, and knowledge about the prevention and management of patients with unhealthy alcohol use. Practice implications: Training activities targeted to PC providers represent a valuable strategy to improve communication skills, attitudes and knowledge of these professionals in their clinical practice.

Effectiveness of a training program for the management of risky alcohol use in primary care professionals based on motivational interviewing

“… 21 This level of knowledge is similar to that obtained in Romero's study. 10 In our study, the level of knowledge improved after the training, the participants passed to answer correctly from 35% to 50% of the questions. However, the above-mentioned study showed a higher increase, with a 22.9% improvement after the intervention.…”

“…Based on a previous study, 10 assuming an alpha risk of 0.05 and a beta risk of 0.2, it would be necessary to include 81 subjects, assuming that the initial proportion of knowledge that was considered “acceptable” (80% of correct questions in both groups) was 35% and after the training intervention, at least 60%.…”

“…A study reported that a significant improvement was obtained in knowledge about managing alcohol consumption and MI skills 10 through a training activity specifically designed for this purpose. Another study found that this type of training effectively improved MI skills, allowing the implementation of this communicative model in PC consultations.…”

Effectiveness of a brief motivational intervention in the management of risky alcohol use in primary care: ALCO-AP20 study protocol

“…In addition, these tools strengthen the patient-healthcare professional relationship and allow, in turn, to improve the patient's perception of the care received, helping us reduce the prevalence of this health problem. Likewise, the present study aims to promote preventive activities and enhance health education on such an important risk factor as alcohol consumption in PC, whose effect has been demonstrated by this research group (29,30), and to provide continuity of care for this important public health problem. Similarly, the research study will help foster knowledge and communication skills and preventive recommendations of PC healthcare professionals, as well as provide support tools to facilitate decisionmaking aimed at reducing alcohol consumption in the general population.…”

Therapeutic Methods Including the Tasks of a Nurse and Evaluation of Their Effectiveness in the Opinion of Patients after Craniocerebral Trauma with a Diagnosis of Alcohol use Disorder

“…Thanks to the conversations conducted by the nurses and their openness to the problems of the patients, the knowledge acquired during the therapeutic meetings is transferred into the sphere of everyday life experiences. Patients learn how to live with alcoholic illness, make constructive plans, avoid certain situations, and expand the circle of social support [48,49]. According to the results of the study, Tsai and colleagues [50], nurses are aware of the barriers and factors that contribute to effective interventions in alcohol therapy.…”