The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61656

Roy D Ary, MD¹, Marlena M Wald, MLS, MPH¹, Metrecia L Terrell, BS¹, James G Hammons, MSW, LCSW², Reza Mahram, MD¹, Lisa M DeLancey, BS, BBA, RN³, and Mark A Robertson, MDiv⁴. (1) Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, 1712 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-727-3870, rary@emory.edu, (2) Social Services Department, Grady Memorial Hospital, 69 Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, (3) Department of Emergency Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, 69 Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, (4) Office of the Chaplain, Grady Memorial Hospital, 69 Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

Study objectives: assess healthcare providers’ (HPs) attitudes regarding screening/brief intervention for AA/AD in an ED, estimate AA/AD prevalence, determine knowledge of treatments and aftercare services (ACS). Instrument: Michigan College of Emergency Physicians Survey (Graham, 2000) using Likert Scale/forced-choice queries. Design: IRB approved, directly administered, written survey conducted as a census, Fall 2002. Setting: Urban Level I trauma center (visits >100,000). Subjects: Emergency Medicine faculty/ residents, nurses, social workers, physician assistants, clergy. Excluded subjects: visiting faculty, rotating residents. Response rates for subject groups: 70-100%. Observations: Univariate statistics and subgroup analyses were performed. Software: MiniTab (Ver. 13.32) Of 148 HPs: 45% M/55% F, mean age=35.4, mean years of ED experience=5.7. When asked, 83% believe that AA/AD is a treatable disease and only 49% agree that the ED is an appropriate intervention environment. Quartile estimates of AA/AD prevalence: Q1(28.15%), Q2(40%), Q3(23.7%), Q4(8.15%). While 47% of HPs consider themselves knowledgeable in treating AA/AD patients, 44% believe there is a lack of good screening devices, only 20% report referring to an ACS, and 47% think there are no professional treatment guidelines. For post-discharge referral, 47% stated there are adequate ACS within the ED's catchment area. When comparing these survey results to findings of a concurrent community needs assessment of ACS, the 'disappearance' of these agencies was not recognized by the HPs. Conclusions: Discordant views among HPs suggest the need for continuing education regarding ED treatment and post-discharge referral. Hospital administrators should be key players in bridging the gap between HPs and ACS.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Conduct and analyze an ED based KSA survey of healthcare providers treating patients with AA/AD
• Characterize the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers regarding ED based intervention and aftercare services for patients with AA/AD
• Measure the incongruence of providers' attitudes and knowledge regarding AA/AD

Keywords: Alcoholism, Emergency Department/Room

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.