TY - JOUR
T1 - The prevalence of binge drinking among primary care residents
AU - Greene, Magdalena
AU - Johnson, J. Aaron
AU - Seale, J. Paul
AU - Tindol, Allen
AU - Le, Kristy B.
AU - Clemow, Diana D.
AU - Barham, Ann H.
AU - Miller, David P.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2017/7/3
Y1 - 2017/7/3
N2 - Background: Over one quarter of American adults binge drink, resulting in significant alcohol-related morbidity and mortality. Although brief interventions can decrease patients' alcohol use, many physicians in training do not provide this service. This study examines the prevalence of binge drinking among primary care residents, and the association of resident drinking behaviors with addressing patients' hazardous alcohol use. Methods: Between July 2013 and August 2014, the authors surveyed all trainees in 6 primary care residency programs. The survey assessed self-reported frequency of binge drinking, confidence working with hazardous drinkers, and the performance of brief interventions when hazardous drinking was detected in patients. Results: 221 of 246 residents completed the survey (response rate 89.8%). Half of residents (109/221) reported at least one episode of binge drinking in the prior year, and 18% (39/221) reported binge drinking at least once a month. In multivariable analysis, monthly binge drinking was associated with male gender (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–5.4) and year of training (OR 0.25 for Year 3 vs. Year 1, 95% CI 0.07–0.90). Few residents felt confident they could help patients cut down or quit alcohol, regardless of personal binge drinking history (19% for those who binged monthly, 24% for those who binged 1–11 times a year, and 27% for those who never binged, p for trend = 0.31). Performance of brief interventions did not vary by personal binge drinking history. Conclusions: Binge drinking is common among primary care residents. In addition to training residents to effectively intervene with hazardous drinkers, residency programs should address the high prevalence of binge drinking by their physicians in training.
AB - Background: Over one quarter of American adults binge drink, resulting in significant alcohol-related morbidity and mortality. Although brief interventions can decrease patients' alcohol use, many physicians in training do not provide this service. This study examines the prevalence of binge drinking among primary care residents, and the association of resident drinking behaviors with addressing patients' hazardous alcohol use. Methods: Between July 2013 and August 2014, the authors surveyed all trainees in 6 primary care residency programs. The survey assessed self-reported frequency of binge drinking, confidence working with hazardous drinkers, and the performance of brief interventions when hazardous drinking was detected in patients. Results: 221 of 246 residents completed the survey (response rate 89.8%). Half of residents (109/221) reported at least one episode of binge drinking in the prior year, and 18% (39/221) reported binge drinking at least once a month. In multivariable analysis, monthly binge drinking was associated with male gender (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–5.4) and year of training (OR 0.25 for Year 3 vs. Year 1, 95% CI 0.07–0.90). Few residents felt confident they could help patients cut down or quit alcohol, regardless of personal binge drinking history (19% for those who binged monthly, 24% for those who binged 1–11 times a year, and 27% for those who never binged, p for trend = 0.31). Performance of brief interventions did not vary by personal binge drinking history. Conclusions: Binge drinking is common among primary care residents. In addition to training residents to effectively intervene with hazardous drinkers, residency programs should address the high prevalence of binge drinking by their physicians in training.
KW - Alcohol abuse treatment
KW - binge drinking
KW - graduate medical education
KW - internship and residency
KW - primary care
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U2 - 10.1080/08897077.2016.1212778
DO - 10.1080/08897077.2016.1212778
M3 - Article
C2 - 27648864
AN - SCOPUS:85004073348
SN - 0889-7077
VL - 38
SP - 292
EP - 296
JO - Substance Abuse
JF - Substance Abuse
IS - 3
ER -