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Alcohol, Isolation, and Access to Treatment: Family Physician Experiences of Alcohol Consumption and Access to Health Care in Rural British Columbia
Author(s) -
Slaunwhite Amanda K.,
Macdonald Scott
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/jrh.12117
Subject(s) - medicine , family medicine , mental health , community health , population , rural health , isolation (microbiology) , alcohol consumption , rural area , health care , primary care , environmental health , public health , gerontology , nursing , psychiatry , alcohol , biochemistry , chemistry , pathology , economics , economic growth , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Objective The purpose of this project was to study the experiences of physicians who treat persons with alcohol‐attributed diseases in rural areas of British Columbia, Canada. Method A cross‐sectional survey was distributed to primary health care physicians that had a family practice in a designated rural community using the Rural Coordination Centre of British Columbia's community isolation rating system. Data were collected through a mail and online survey sent to primary health care physicians. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants that had a primary health care practice in a designated rural community. Results Surveys were returned by 22% of potential participants (N = 67) that had an average of 15.8 years in family practice. The majority of participants (95.4%) reported that alcohol had a negative impact on population health, and physicians expressed particular concern for alcohol consumption in relation to mental health (85.1%) and physical illness (82.1%). Most participants had referred patients out of the community for treatment; however, 76.4% reported difficulty with referrals, including long wait‐lists, limited services, and issues related to transportation and leaving the community for substance use treatment. Conclusion Rural physicians showed an awareness and concern for alcohol consumption in their community, but they also reported difficulties referring patients for substance use treatment. Additional study is required to understand how to improve the continuity of care provided to persons with alcohol‐related issues in rural British Columbia.