Abstract

Background. Screening for alcohol misuse and counselling of primary health care patients enables to diminish patient’s alcohol drinking. Although this activity is considered feasible in Estonia, there is no information about how the patients feel about questioning and counselling for alcohol drinking at a primary health care centre.

Aim. To find out the patient’s opinion about discussing alcohol drinking and alcohol screening and about brief intervention at a primary health care centre.

Method. A survey questionnaire executed at seven primary health care centres among patients receiving alcohol screening and brief intervention.

Results. Altogether 344 patients filled out the questionnaire consisting of nine statements. Of the respondents 98% agreed with the statement that the family doctor or the family nurse may ask about the patient’s alcohol consumption if this is related to his or her health and medical care. Of the patients 96% shared the opinion that the family doctor or the family nurse could give advice to cut down alcohol drinking in case this harms the patient’s health. Of the patients 78% did not feel uncomfortable talking about their alcohol drinking. Of the respondents 67% agreed to discuss their alcohol drinking with the family doctor or the family nurse also in the future.

Conclusion. Patients visiting a primary health care centre have positive attitudes and consider it important if the family doctor or the family nurse asks questions about their alcohol drinking and counsels them. In order to adjust the brief intervention considering the patients’ needs, it is necessary to develop further alcohol screening and brief intervention in the primary health care system of Estonia.