The half-life of the ‘teachable moment’ for alcohol misusing patients in the emergency department

Abstract

Background: To determine whether the length of time between alcohol-related attendance in the Emergency Department (ED) and follow up appointment with an Alcohol Health Worker (AHW) alters attendance rate at the AHW clinic. Methods: We examined paper and computerized records made by AHWs over a 4-year period, collecting data on the length of time between identification of alcohol misuse and the appointment with the AHW, and whether the appointment was kept. Results: There is an inverse relationship between the length of time between identification of alcohol misuse and AHW appointment and the subsequent likelihood of keeping that appointment. Conclusions: To maximise attendance rates at AHW clinics, the delay between the identification and intervention for alcohol misusing patients must be kept to a minimum, preferably giving an appointment on the same day as the attendance in the ED.

The effect of referral for brief intervention for alcohol misuse on repetition of deliberate self-harm: an exploratory randomized controlled trial

“…However, this may reflect the extension in working hours of the ANS in the department following the completion of our previous project. Previous research has demonstrated that the level of attendance at ANS appointments is higher when a person is offered a same-day appointment (Williams et al 2005). The trend towards reduced number of units of alcohol consumed per drinking day in the experimental arm of the trial that we found is similar in magnitude to that reported among people who present to an ED with a broader range of other common conditions .…”

Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Improve Emergency Physicians’ Smoking Cessation Counseling Skills, Knowledge, and Attitudes

“…They may also suggest that tobacco-related visits are perceived by both providers and patients as potential "teachable moments" (37,38). An effective approach, therefore, to addressing EPs' concerns about the relevance of tobacco-related SBIRT may be to reinforce the prevalence of smoking-related presentations in ED patients.…”

Alcohol Consumption, Early-Onset Drinking, and Health-Related Consequences in Adolescents Presenting at Emergency Departments in England

“…Associations between alcohol consumption and earlier onset of drinking and negative consequences of drinking (as measured by the ESPAD questions) and poorer health and functioning were also observed. This study found ED waiting rooms a source of willing research participants, and this context may also represent a teachable moment to change young people's behavior using either face-to-face or electronic interventions [31,37,38]. The ED also has a high level of staff expertise who are well placed to initiate safeguarding procedures where required and who provide a good point of onward referral to specialist services.…”