[Detection of alcohol-related problems in primary care]

The results of a survey of primary health care physicians in order to know which factors are associated with the efficacy in the detection and treatment of patients with alcohol-related problems are analyzed in this article. The number of diagnosed patients is related with previous formal education on alcohol-related problems of primary health care physicians. Primary health care physicians are very interested in this issue, but they don't feel satisfied nor gratified with their work with this type of patients. Gratifying feelings are directly related to previous formal education, and those who feel gratified diagnose more patients. Needs for formal education must be accompanied by profound organizational changes in the coordination of actions between primary health care, specialized services and social care.