Implementation and dissemination of methods for prevention of alcohol problems in primary health care: a feasibility study

Secondary prevention of alcohol problems in health care has been proved efficacious in many studies, yet its implementation remains scarce, and its effectiveness in regular health care remains unknown. This article reports results from a feasibility study of dissemination of alcohol prevention methods in primary health care in Stockholm. Initial interviews with general practitioners (GPs) and district health nurses indicated that few raised the issue of alcohol with patients, made notes about alcohol in patient charts or found working with alcohol issues rewarding. The impact of a training session, where a project nurse visited all willing GPs and nurses, was limited. Although the uptake of the prevention package was high, follow-up at 3 months indicated that little use was made of the materials. Specifically, screening rates were low. In the future, secondary prevention of alcohol problems will require better adaptation to the realities of primary care.