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. 2004 Feb 7;328(7435):318.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.37956.562130.EE. Epub 2004 Jan 16.

Effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions for problem drinking in a general hospital setting: systematic review

Maria J Emmen  1 , Gerard M Schippers, Gijs Bleijenberg, Hub Wollersheim
Affiliations

Effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions for problem drinking in a general hospital setting: systematic review

Maria J Emmen et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions for problem drinking in a general hospital setting.

Design: Systematic review.

Data sources: Medline, PsychInfo, Cochrane Library, reference lists from identified studies and review articles, and contact with experts.

Main outcome measure: Change in alcohol consumption.

Results: Eight studies were retrieved. Most had methodological weaknesses. Only one study, with a relatively intensive intervention and a short follow up period, showed a significantly large reduction in alcohol consumption in the intervention group.

Conclusions: Evidence for the effectiveness of opportunistic brief interventions in a general hospital setting for problem drinkers is still inconclusive.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Inclusion of studies for systematic review
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