Knowledge, attitudes and practice relating to hazardous alcohol use across the continuum of care in a community healthcare centre

Abstract

Alcohol screening and intervention in community health settings places a great time demand on practitioners. Thus, implementation of practitioner-delivered intervention is challenging.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of incorporating a brief alcohol intervention into daily practices of a community health care centre by utilizing assistance from non-practitioners and administrative staff.

Methods: In regard to alcohol use, the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of the staff of a health care centre were assessed using a self-administered survey. The 57-item survey consisted of alcohol-relevant questions in four domains: clinical practice, knowledge and self-assessment of skills and available resources.

Findings: The sample consisted of 70 individuals—23 practitioners, 21 medical assistants and 26 administrative staff from two New Orleans’ clinics. Practitioners were observed to be most confident in assessing alcoholism as well as in implementing interventions for alcohol abuse. Medical assistants exhibited high self-rated scores, second to practitioners, in survey items regarding attitudes towards patients, alcohol knowledge and alcohol-related clinical skills.

Conclusions: Based on KAP, it appears that healthcare workers other than practitioners, particularly medical assistants, may serve as a useful resource to practitioners in providing alcohol screening and prevention services. Education and empowerment of medical assistants will however be needed to achieve this goal.