THE TREATMENT ORGANISATION IS THE HEALING CONTEXT

We said that of the treatment of problem drinking in general, and it remains the case for specifically medical treatments. Cell D3 focuses on that context at the level of the treatment or healthcare organisation, drawing on seminal and key research to ask:
- Do higher quality primary care practices do better alcohol treatment, or is this an unrelated niche activity?
- Evidence-based innovation: always a good thing, or an outcome-eroding burden?
- Is alcohol treatment helped or hindered when medical care is part of the package? Research shows...

According to the WHO, harmful alcohol use is one of the leading risk factors for the global burden of disease.

In response to concerning trends, governments around the world have intervened in the market for alcohol by levying specific taxes.  

In 2008, the government of Botswana imposed a 30% tax levy on all alcohol products to deal with problematic drinking in the country. The levy was initially set at 70% but was reduced to 30%.

Research into the effectiveness of these measures typically focusses on alcohol sales and self-reported levels of consumption. However, an area less understood...

On the 12th of July, in a bid to reduce the volume of trauma patients so hospitals have more beds open to treat COVID-19 patients, President Cyril Ramaphosa reintroduced the alcohol ban.

South Africa originally introduced a ban on all alcohol sales on 27 March. However, as lockdown restrictions were reviewed the ban was lifted.

According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, however, since the sale and distribution of alcohol was reintroduced in June, hospitals have experienced a spike in admissions in their trauma and emergency wards.

The South African government has faced pressure from the...

MAKING THE MOST OF MEDICAL CARE

Selected, explained and discussed – key research on management of medical interventions and treatment in medical settings. Highlights the remarkable transformation of a US clinic in the 1950s by an open-minded manager, whose overarching strategy was “placing the responsibility for achieving a therapeutic alliance on the caretaker rather than the patient”. Then addresses three key issues for managers:
- They differ greatly in how well their patients do – but how do you identify effective clinicians?
- Worth ‘stepping up’ to more intensive treatment if initial...

A General Practitioner (GP) is often the first point of contact for people struggling with alcohol related issues. These doctors must be trained to detect problematic drinking as well as have the confidence and skills to have open conversations with patients. 

Feedback from patients who have received support from their GP helps inform guidance to having these conversations.

The aim of this qualitative study was to analyse the feelings of patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) who have  experienced screenings conducted by their GPs.

Through interviews, the researchers were keen to gain an...