Putting patients' drinking histories in context

Abstract

IT is popularly believed that patients who drink to excess tend to under-report consumption when questioned by medical staff. Doctors are often encouraged to check patients' self-reported con sumption by further questioning patients' next-of- kin. We present the results of a spouse questionnaire designed to check the self-report of ninety patients participating in the York District Hospital Alcohol Programme. We conclude that doctors need to be aware of the possibility that both patients and col laterals may under- or over-report consumption and that spouses may simply not know how much their partners drink.