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Alcohol referrals are also everybody’s business
- Yasir Abbasi, Ruta Rele, Specialist Registrar (SpR), North Trent Rotational Training Scheme in Psychiatry, Sheffield and Hadia Wahaj (GP Registrar), Larwood Surgeries, North Nottinghamshire Vocational Training Scheme, Worksop. (18 November 2008)
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Yasir Abbasi, Speciality Registrar (ST 4) North Trent Rotational Training Scheme in Psychiatry, Hartington Unit, Chesterfield, Ruta Rele, Specialist Registrar (SpR), North Trent Rotational Training Scheme in Psychiatry, Sheffield and Hadia Wahaj (GP Registrar), Larwood Surgeries, North Nottinghamshire Vocational Training Scheme, Worksop.
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dryiabbasi{at}yahoo.com Yasir Abbasi, et al.
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There is growing evidence that alcohol treatment works (Raistrick et al, 2006) for patients in the UK. But, unfortunately drinking alcohol in excess remains one of the leading causes of liver disease (Fisher et al, 2002) with its associated morbidity and mortality. Due to the long waiting lists in alcohol services and the delay in seeing patients, they are at risk of developing fatal physical complications. Therefore, it is imperative that communication between clinicians should be relevant and unambiguous. We surveyed the referrals to our alcohol services (Fitzwilliam Centre, Sheffield). A survey proforma was designed and validated by a focus group. We collected data from referrals over the past six months. A 100 were randomly selected from a total of 347 referrals. About 187 referrals were from local general practitioners and rest from acute hospitals and other psychiatric services. In total 82% gave details of the patients alcohol history, 49% gave past psychiatry/detoxification history and 51% mentioned the past medical history. Only 19% had included the most recent investigations, while 60% sent an attached printout of the patient’s medication and drug history. The alcohol history (82%) was further sub-divided into four components. We found out that 53% had mentioned the type of alcohol patient was drinking, 67% had mentioned the amount, 38% gave the duration of the current episode and only 30% mentioned the presence or absence of alcohol related physical complications. Instead of quantifying details about alcohol use some referrers used vague and general statements like “A long history of alcohol use,” “Alcohol has started affecting patients daily functioning” or “Drinking alcohol in excess for a long time.” We are in the process of developing a standardised referral form to alcohol services based on the results of this survey. Competing Interests: Two of the authors are training to be psychiatrists with endorsements in substance misuse and have worked at the Fitzwilliam centre, Substance Misuse Psychiatry, Sheffield This survey was also presented as a poster at The Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Addiction Annual Meeting, 1st -2nd May 2008, Amsterdam References: 1) Raistrick D., Heather N. & Godfrey C. Review of the Effectiveness of Treatment for Alcohol Problems. National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, London, 2006. 2) Fisher NC, Hanson J, Phillips A, Rao JN, Swarbrick ET. Mortality from liver disease in the West Midlands, 1993-2000: observational study. BMJ. 2002 Aug 10; 325(7359):312- |
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