Doctors should screen all adults for alcohol abuse, new guidelines say(T)

nola.com ^ | 11/13/2018 | Maria Clark

[rktman]

A conversation about how much you drink might be part of your next doctor’s visit.

The United States Preventative Services Task Force is advising that all adults, not just pregnant women, be screened for unhealthy alcohol use by their primary care providers, CNN reports.

Doctors should provide brief counseling to patients they find are drinking above the recommended limits, according to a new statement published in the medical journal JAMA on Tuesday (Nov. 13).

In an editorial accompanying the statement, Angela Bazzi and Dr. Richard Saitz of the Boston University School of Public Health wrote that implementation of screening and brief intervention remains quite low among doctors – only 1 in 6 patients in the United States report having discussed alcohol with their physician.

[rktman]

Hmmm. Since I don't it doesn't affect me but, since it can be directly linked to certain conditions, IF those conditions exist, then the question could arise. But mandatory? Like how many guns do you have in the house? Do you drive over the speed limit? In return, I suppose you could ask the doc if they have ever had a case of "medical misadventure" where a patient died due to negligence on their part. How much do you drink doc? Do you prescribe yourself meds or have a doc friend do it for you? Crickets.................. Remember, not all docs finished at the top, or even middle, of their class.

[LeonardFMason]

Would someone WIPE MY ASS too when I need it?

[Dr. Sivana]

But mandatory? Like how many guns do you have in the house? Do you drive over the speed limit?

At least drinking is directly related to health. What happened to professional discretion, and the sanctity of a patient's relationship with his physician. I guess that just applies to abortion.

[Farmer Dean]

I assume that all the Kennedy clan are exempt.

[G Larry]

They should screen for liberalism:

Do you support baby killing?

Do you support government run healthcare?

Do you believe in man-made global warming?

Do you believe in open borders?

Do you support gun control?

[Durbin]

This is no different than disclosing what you eat to your Dr. And then they recommend a change in your diet in order to improve your health. I’ve been asked during check ups before how much I drink. I don’t really see an issue with it.

[left that other site]

Just LIE./s

[Slyfox]

I get asked this every time I get a physical. I say robotically, “I have a beer every time I eat chili and every time the Cowboys win a football game.”

[rktman]

Yes, they have get out of trouble free cards. Funny thing, we were watching an Irish detective show last night supposedly in current day Gallway and sure enough hanging on the wall in the local ale house was a pic of jfk. WTH? Too funny. What a fable was woven with those low lifes.

[Farmer Dean]

Did they have a sacred bleeding heart of Bobby Kennedy throw rug too?

[dp0622]

Bet we could all list 5 cases of medical misconduct against us and those we know VERY easily.

They should STHU.

Yes I used H.

I’m getting better at impulse control :)

[circlecity]

Be wary that this could be a back door way to go after peoples guns and gun rights. The govt. has access to all our medical records under Obamacare. If you get put down as an “alcoholic” (a very subjective label) you be denied the right to purchase a firearm when the background check is done. I believe evidence that one is a drug or alcohol addict is a basis for denying one the right to possess.

[onedoug]

And who screens the doctors?

[chiller]

It's a first step on a slippery slope. A generic piece of advise during every exam should include: "Moderate alcohol use is recommended.

If the patient wants to go further, they're welcome.

[SkyShot]

I remember 20 years ago (before I stopped drinking) when my Dr. asked how many drinks I consumed each month....I lied and calculated about half and said 100. He said: “That might be a problem.” I thought at the time the problem wasn’t lying enough! 13 years sober next month.

[rktman]

Probably the teddy the tosser bed cover though.

[rktman]

Always NO! And they look at me funny. Just think how they would look at me if they knew I don’t do social media. Well except for FR anyway. LOL!

[rktman]

So you don’t have a beer very often?

[Repealthe17thAmendment]

If doctors are properly trained on identifying alcohol abuse, the signs will be noticeable without asking. Liver problems, high blood pressure, seizures, and pancreatitis aren't necessarily signs of alcoholism, but if a patient is exhibiting any of these, it should lead the doctor to ask more questions about alcohol use.

But to ask it of every single patient is a bit ridiculous.

[originalbuckeye]

Obamacare screening for alcohol, guns and everything else they could destroy your reputation with.....I’m starting to really hate Leftists.