Abstract Aims Hazardous alcohol consumption represents a substantial health risk for older adults (aged 55 and above). Although healthcare professionals play a key role in addressing alcohol consumption, findings are mixed regarding older adults’ attitudes toward alcohol-related conversations with different professionals. This study examined older adults’ attitudes towards alcohol-related conversations with GPs, practice nurses, district nurses and volunteers, and explored associations with socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol consumption. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey (N = 424) was conducted among older adults in the Netherlands, recruited via a national association. Alcohol consumption was assessed using the AUDIT-C and participants were classified as abstainers, low-risk or high-risk drinkers. Attitudes were assessed using six statements. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption and attitudes. Results Support for routinely asking about alcohol consumption was highest for GPs (60.4%, 95% CI 55.7–65.1), followed by practice nurses (55.0%, 95% CI 50.2–59.7), district nurses (46.7%, 95% CI 41.9–51.5) and volunteers (17.5%, 95% CI 13.8–21.1). Older adults aged 75 and above were more likely to view alcohol consumption as a personal matter and less likely to discuss with GPs (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.43–1.00) or district nurses (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38–0.94) than those younger than 75. High-risk drinkers were less supportive of district nurses routinely addressing alcohol consumption (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.29–0.99) than abstainers and low-risk drinkers. Conclusions Attitudes towards alcohol-related conversations differ across professionals, with GPs viewed most favourably and volunteers least. This highlights the need to avoid treating professionals as interchangeable when addressing alcohol consumption.
Wagenaar et al. (Fri,) studied this question.