Emergency physicians' ratings of alcoholism treaters

The purpose of this study is to identify treaters whom emergency physicians perceive to offer effective treatment of alcoholism. A random sample of 2,500 emergency physicians received a questionnaire comparing attitudes toward Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and professional alcoholism treaters. Physician agreement on the efficacy of alcoholism treaters was greatest for AA (87%), moderate for mental health professionals (including psychiatrists and psychologists, 55%) and least for physicians and surgeons (excluding psychiatrists, 23%; chi-square = 1,024, p = .000000005, df = 2). Physician education about other alcoholism treaters may be necessary if all types of treatment are to be considered for the emergency room patient.