At which drinking level to advise a patient? General practitioners' views

Abstract

This study examined the views of 64 general practitioners (GPs) on how much a patient has to drink to be advised by them and compared the results to the recommended Finnish threshold values of heavy drinking. The levels stated by GPs were not too high to prevent early-phase intervention in heavy drinking; rather, they were so low that numerous moderate drinkers were also included. The mean (SD) level was 15.5 (6.5) drinks for male and 11.0 (4.6) drinks for female patients per week. These are about two-thirds of the Finnish threshold values of heavy drinking. Attempting to advise such high proportions of patients, including both heavy and moderate drinkers, might mean a discouraging burden for GPs. However, there may be a discrepancy between GPs' statements about when to advise and when they actually do so.