What does this research mean for the field?

The initiation of alcohol-related discussions between healthcare professionals and older adults is primarily influenced by healthcare professional knowledge and training, time constraints, and older adult characteristics, although current literature on the topic is sparse and of mixed quality. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify factors that influence whether healthcare professionals initiate alcohol-related discussions with older adults during clinical encounters.

September 10, 2026Aging & Mental Health

What influences initiation of alcohol related discussions between healthcare professions and older adults? A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SJShannon JohnsonUniversity of Lincoln ATAnna TickleUniversity of Nottingham

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Systematic review reveals clinician training, patient history, and time constraints dictate alcohol discussions with older adults, highlighting targets to improve routine screening.

Key Points

To identify factors that influence whether healthcare professionals initiate alcohol-related discussions with older adults during clinical encounters.
Searched PsycINFO, Medline, and CINAHL for peer-reviewed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods original studies in English addressing alcohol discussions with adults aged 55 and older.
Appraised methodological quality of identified studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and synthesized findings using a narrative approach.
Included 7 studies of mixed methodological quality across 3 countries.
Identified three primary thematic domains governing discussion initiation: older adult factors (drinking history, age, and ethnicity), professional knowledge and skill, and contextual barriers (principally consultation time and patient risk factors).
Qualitative synthesis demonstrated that healthcare provider training deficits and consultation time limits represent primary obstacles to routine discussions.

Cite This Study

Johnson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27be758559d80afc7558b https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2026.2726346

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Systematic review reveals clinician training, patient history, and time constraints dictate alcohol discussions with older adults, highlighting targets to improve routine screening.

What influences initiation of alcohol related discussions between healthcare professions and older adults? A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

What influences initiation of alcohol related discussions between healthcare professions and older adults? A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider