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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Beth Bareham, Jemma Stewart, Professor Eileen KanerORCiD, Professor Barbara HanrattyORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2021 Royal College of General Practitioners. All rights reserved.Background Risk of harm from drinking is heightened in later life, owing to age-related sensitivities to alcohol. Primary care services have a key role in supporting older people (aged ≥50 years) to make healthier decisions about alcohol. Aim To examine primary care practitioners' perceptions of factors that promote and challenge their work to support older people in alcohol riskreduction. Design and setting Qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews and focus groups with primary care practitioners in Northern England. Method Thirty-five practitioners (GPs, practice/district nurses, pharmacists, dentists, social care practitioners, and domiciliary carers) participated in eight interviews and five focus groups. Data were analysed thematically, applying principles of constant comparison. Results Practitioners highlighted particular sensitivities to discussing alcohol among older people, and reservations about older people's resistance to making changes in old age; given that drinking practices could be established, and promote socialisation and emotional wellbeing in later life. Age-related health issues increased older people's contact with practitioners, but management of older people's long-term conditions was prioritised over discussion of alcohol. Dedicated time to address alcohol in routine consultations with older people and training in alcohol intervention facilitated practitioners, particularly pharmacists and practice nurses. Conclusion There are clear opportunities to support older people in primary care to make healthier decisions about alcohol. Dedicated time to address alcohol, training in identification of alcohol-related risks (particularly those associated with old age), and tailored interventions for older people, feasible to implement in practice settings, would help primary care practitioners to address older people's alcohol use.
Author(s): Bareham BK, Stewart J, Kaner E, Hanratty B
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of General Practice
Year: 2021
Volume: 71
Issue: 711
Pages: E762-E771
Print publication date: 01/10/2021
Online publication date: 30/09/2021
Acceptance date: 20/04/2021
Date deposited: 24/10/2023
ISSN (print): 0960-1643
ISSN (electronic): 1478-5242
Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
URL: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2020.1118
DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2020.1118
PubMed id: 33950854
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