Training health providers to address unhealthy alcohol use in primary care: a cross-sectional, multicenter study

Abstract

Background Health professionals’ training is a key element to address unhealthy alcohol use in Primary Care (PC). Education about alcohol use can be effective in improving PC provider’s knowledge and skills addressing alcohol-related problems. The aim of the study was to evaluate the training of health professionals to address unhealthy alcohol use in PC. Methods An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study was performed. Location: PC centres of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS). Participants: Family physicians, residents and nurses completed an online questionnaire that inquired about their training (none, basic, medium or advanced), knowledge and preventive practices aimed at reducing unhealthy alcohol use. The study population was recruited via random sampling, stratified by the regions of the SNHS’s PC centre, and by email invitation to members of two Spanish scientific societies of Family Medicine. Results A total of 1760 professionals participated in the study. Sixty-seven percent (95% CI: 67.5–71.8) reported not having received specific training to address unhealthy alcohol use, 30% (95% CI: 27.4–31.7) reported having received basic training, and 3% (95% CI: 2.3–4.0) medium/advanced training. The training received was greater in younger providers (p < 0.001) who participated in the PAPPS (Preventive Activities and Health Promotion Programme) (p < 0.001). Higher percentages of providers with intermediate or advanced training reported performing screening for unhealthy alcohol use (p < 0.001), clinical assessment of alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), counselling of patients to reduce their alcohol intake (p < 0.001) or to abstain, in the cases of pregnant women and drivers (p < 0.001). Conclusion Our study reveals a low level of training among Spanish PC providers to address unhealthy alcohol use. A higher percentage of screening, clinical assessment and counselling interventions aimed at reducing unhealthy alcohol use was reported by health professionals with an intermediate or advanced level of training.

Family nurses’ perceptions of proactive management of high-risk patients and identification of pertinent training needs

“…Therefore, it is important to know how to guide the high-risk patient to find solutions supporting their own health behavior, which facilitates coping with chronic diseases. Consequently, there is a need for sys tematic training to improve and support nurses' profes -sional competence in creating an innovative care plan, as well as empowering the patient to take more responsibility for their own health [13,14].…”

“…Interdisciplinary teamwork is at the heart of primary health care, especially in regard to treating multiple chronic conditions of the same patient, since they often need the help of different specialists at the same time. Training inter vention is essential in team training as it improves the team's clinical performance and effec tiveness as well as nurses' decisionmaking skills [13,14]. It can be assumed that the obtained results help clarify the need for training and related intervention may then be developed.…”

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

“…However, recent studies reveal a specific lack of performance and management of patients with excessive alcohol consumption by PC professionals. 4 , 5 It has been found that professionals with a higher level of training in managing alcohol consumption were more confident in facing the related problems in their patients and used more appropriate strategies for patient management. 6 A systematic review reported that the main reasons for not addressing the patient at risk are lack of time, low self-confidence about their ability to perform screening tests and provide brief advice, and lack of training.…”

Assessment of the Teaching on Alcohol Use and Management in Current Health Professional Curricula in India

“…Many countries have their own safer drinking guidelines, but studies have reported that people do need the information to support them to make healthier choices. Motivation from healthcare providers can help patients in making behavioural changes towards making healthier choices or to abstain from alcohol (Romero-Rodríguez et al, 2020). But for influencing and motivating patients, providers require skills different from those used for managing patients with strictly medical problems.…”