Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

GP queries can trim excessive drinking

Updated at 7:57 pm on 11 May 2012

A health study has found excessive drinking can be reduced if patients are queried about alcohol use during routine visits to their doctor.

Researchers have run pilot checks at surgeries in the Whanganui region, where doctors have asked

questions, offered advice, and provided counselling.

Of the 43% of patients who were screened, 24% were drinking more than than the levels advised by international guidelines.

Maori were asked about alcohol consumption less than non-Maori, possibility because surgery time was taken up with more serious medical complaints.

Researcher Dr Heather Gifford, of Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development, says asking about drinking can pay off - but going to the doctor needs to be cheap and easy for Maori.

She says some people struggle to pay for petrol or find a few dollars for a prescription and going to an out-of-hours medical centre can be expensive.

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