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Routine Screening by Doctors & Dentisits for Alcohol Misuse / Related Illnesses

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  • 16-05-2013 4:49pm
    #1
    mathepac
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,991 ✭✭✭


    Links to two recent articles below. Please note the copyright notices on them.

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260523.php

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/243819.php

    My own personal belief is that any intervention that can catch signs of addiction / misuse / risky behaviour early in relation to alcohol has to be good. I think the difficulty may be around "routiniesing" the tests, like for example diabetes screening.

    What do you think?


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    #2
    Vorsprung
    Registered Users Posts: 2,814 ✭✭✭Vorsprung


    It can hardly be a bad thing at all. I haven't read that article but if the recommendation is based on 26 odd years data (and common sense), it should definitely be encouraged (in the appropriate setting - I've been asked to do smoking cessation questionnaires in an emergency department which is ridiculous, takes too much time, doesn't usually make any difference to the acute issue at hand).

    I wonder is ICGP have guidelines on this? Is there anything about it on the usual "check-up" consultation?


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    #3
    ThatDrGuy
    Registered Users Posts: 325 ✭✭ThatDrGuy


    I initially thought this thread was about screening doctors and dentists themselves for alcohol misuse. I was wondering if its ethical to screen for something present in 90% of the population. It would be like screening for right handedness. Thankfully its the ordinary punter who is being screened. Don't forget the medical definition of alcoholism : Someone who drinks more than his doctor.


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