Improving alcohol and tobacco history taking by junior medical officers

We aimed to determine the effectiveness of individual feedback and group feedback in improving recording, assessment, and management of risky alcohol use and of tobacco smoking by Junior Medical Officers (JMOs).

Medical records of patients admitted by JMOs were examined for recording of alcohol use, alcohol withdrawal, intervention for alcohol, a consultation with the Drug and Alcohol team, tobacco use, and prescription of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). In year 1, JMOs from hospital 1 received printed individual feedback on their own and their group's performance, while JMOs at hospital 2 attended a presentation of their group feedback. The following year, they reversed roles.

A total of 3025 patient records were examined for 130 JMOs. After individual feedback, the percentage of alcohol histories that were quantified rose significantly, from 69% to 82%. More smokers were detected, and NRT prescribing rates rose significantly. Group feedback showed no change. Logistic regression showed that JMOs were significantly more likely to record an alcohol history if located at the smaller hospital and in first year of hospital practice, if the patient was admitted during business hours, was male, and/or was younger than the median age of 70 years; JMOs were significantly more likely to quantify alcohol consumption after individual feedback, but this had no effect on tobacco history recording.

Our study suggests that individual feedback on performance with education about desired standards is effective in improving the quality of recording of alcohol histories by Junior Medical Officers.