Client/general medical practitioner interaction during brief intervention for hazardous drinkers: a pilot study

Brief Intervention (BI) for hazardous drinkers at a Primary Health Care (PHC) level can be implemented during the interaction between a GP and his/her client in a range of contexts and opportunities, the GP's office being a primary context. Communication skills are needed for professionals in order to deliver the BI and they should be familiar with motivational interviewing. This pilot study, carried out during 2006-2007, observed how GPs are able to effectively communicate with their hazardous drinking clients when implementing BI. Four GPs have voluntarily participated in the study, altogether interviewing 13 clients in their office in the province of Florence (Italy). Two types of questionnaires were used: a questionnaire on the quality of BI and a questionnaire on the reformulation and summarizing skills. At the end of each interview both questionnaires were independently completed by both the GP and an attending research psychologist. Also, 12 interviews were videotaped and subsequently evaluated by two clinicians. On the whole, GPs scored high regarding their effective communication skills as well as in terms of the quality of BI implemented during the interviews at their offices. The study's limitations are noted and research needed in the future is suggested.