Doctors have no time for alcohol screening.

Abstract

Alcohol and death certification: a survey of current practice and attitudes Official estimates ofall deaths from cirrhosis in England and Wales are lower than those in other countries with similar levels of alcohol consumption.' In addition, officially recorded death rates from alcoholic cirrhosis appear lower than rates suggested by results of clinical surveys.2 These discrepancies are thought to be due largely to underrecording on death certificates, perhaps to avoid the statutory obligation (waived in July 1984) to report deaths related to alcohol to the coroner.3 We have examined the recording of alcohol abuse on death certificates and factors influencing such recording.