Alcohol screening in North Denmark Region hospitals:Frequency of screening and experiences of health professionals

Background: Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for disease, disability and death. Approximately 20% of all hospital admissions are alcohol related. In Denmark, hospitalised patients undergo systematic health risk screenings to establish preventive initiatives if the screening detects a risk. The frequency and usability of alcohol screening and health professionals’ experiences of the screening is unknown. Aim: To examine the frequency and usability of alcohol screening at North Denmark Region hospitals, as well as health professionals’ experiences of screening for alcohol. Methods: This study consisted of an initial audit of 120 patient records from medical and surgical units at four hospitals assessing information on alcohol screening. This was followed by six focus-group interviews with health professionals ( n = 20) regarding their experiences of conducting alcohol screening. Results: Among overall health screenings, screening for alcohol and tobacco smoking was performed most frequently (81.8% and 85%). Alcohol screening scored the lowest percentage for usability (67.7%). Hospital-based alcohol screening was perceived ambiguously leading to a schism between standardised alcohol screening and the individual needs of the patient. Health professionals described different patient types, each with their perceived needs, and screening was associated with taboo and reluctance to engage in alcohol screening of some patient groups. Conclusion: This study revealed factors that influence health professionals working with hospital-based alcohol screening. The variation in and complexity of alcohol screening suggests that screening practice is an ambiguous task that needs continuous reflection and development to ensure that health professionals are prepared for the task. </jats:sec

Knowledge needs in patients with Liver Disease: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Knowledge is essential for patients’ disease management strategies and a critical component of healthcare. The importance of increasing patients level of knowledge has become more widely acknowledge in liver disease management in recent years, but further studies are needed to address patients experiences of unmet knowledge needs to develop appropriate patient education strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore knowledge needs in patients’ with liver disease of different etiology and severity. Methods A qualitative study was designed and an inductive method was chosen. Thirty-three patients with liver disease of different etiology and severity were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Content analysis was used as an inspiration to describe and compare patients’ needs for knowledge across disease etiology and severity. The reporting followed consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Results The analysis generated three categories and nine subcategories. In general, the patients described lack of knowledge related to their liver disease, which made it difficult for them to manage their disease. Patients wished to be more involved in care and treatment of the liver disease. However, patients’ had difficulties to assess and understand the importance of the information they received from healthcare professionals. Due to lack of knowledge, patients’ had a misconception of the liver disease. Patients’ had variation in knowledge needs depending on liver disease etiology and severity. Conclusion Within liver disease management, knowledge of patients’ experiences is vital to meet patients’ knowledge needs and to develop appropriate patient education strategies. Therefore, it is important to ascertain a patient-centered approach to accommodate patients’ individual knowledge needs, involve patients in care and treatment, and insure understanding to strengthen their self-management and give the patients the necessary skills to manage their disease and everyday life. Registration number Open Science Framework registration DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/W28RC