Auditing the performance of the physician facing patient alcohol consumption

OBJECTIVE: To assess the Primary Care doctor's performance when faced with his/her patients' alcohol consumption. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of data on procedures by means of explicit normative criteria and implicit check-up of those not complying. SETTING: Urban health centre. PATIENTS: A random and institutionally based sample, over a week, of patients of both sexes who came for a general medical consultation (eleven blocks) without prior appointment. RESULTS: 110 clinical histories were evaluated. 60% were not asked about alcohol consumption. In the cases of those who were asked, the amount consumed was specified. Excessive consumption was recorded in the notes as a health risk factor in 87%. A liver profile was requested for 62%. Advice to give up or reduce alcohol consumption was given in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Poor compliance with the assessment criteria chosen justifies the implementation of the corrective measures proper to quality control methodology. We underline the importance of generalizing the implementation of the Programme of Preventive Activities in Primary Care and the need to improve health professionals' training and motivation on the question.