Can Accurate Drinking Histories be Obtained from Psychiatric Patients by a Nurse Conducting Screening Interviews?

Abstract

Summary Three hundred and eighty‐five psychiatric patients were screened by a nurse for alcohol‐related problems, and a representative 112 were re‐interviewed in a ‘blind’ fashion by a psychiatrist using either (a) the same screening interview, or (b) a much more detailed history schedule. Reliability measures between the two screening interviews were high for alcohol consumption as well as the Brief MAST, CAGE, and Reich tests. Similarly the more detailed ‘validity’ interview produced closely correlated estimates of alcohol consumption. Agreement was less good for women than men and for drinking in the month, as opposed to the year, before admission. The Brief MAST, CA GE, or Reich screening tests could usefully be incorporated into the routine nursing interview at first contact with psychiatric patients.