Problem gamblers and their families can be helped by their GP

This paper describes a Practice Review Activity to provide interventions for problem gamblers and their families attending the practices of nine Auckland based general practitioners (GPs). GPs received a training manual and brief training to address patients’ problem gambling issues. Patients were screened using the EIGHT gambling screen and for the effects of another’s gambling using the COGS Screen. Those identified as screen positives were offered a brief intervention. Following one month of screening/interventions GPs participated in a focus group to discuss the process, followed by a second month of screening and follow-up individual key informant interviews. They found interventions for problem gamblers and their families became easier and their skills and confidence increased over time. In most cases they incorporated strategies into their practice to address problem gambling. However the time required to address gambling issues and the high level of co-existing depression, remained a concern.