Attitudes towards addressing alcohol consumption by healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional study among older adults in the Netherlands

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.