Electronic Screening and Brief Interventions to Target Unhealthy Alcohol Consumption in Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: This project aimed to raise awareness of unhealthy alcohol consumption among nurses and promote positive changes through electronic screening and brief interventions (e-SBI). It evaluated integrating e-SBI into an application for nurse wellness to increase screening frequency and motivate positive change. Objectives included evaluating the self-assessment tool, delivering personalized interventions, and assessing perceived benefits. Background: Unhealthy alcohol consumption, especially during COVID-19, is a significant concern in the United States, with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affecting millions. Nurses, facing intensified demands exacerbated by the pandemic, are especially vulnerable. Underreporting of alcohol use among nurses is a challenge, worsening risks to their health and patient care. Early recognition and intervention are crucial to improve health outcomes for nurses and patients. Despite the heightened risk of AUD from increased stress, nurses face barriers to proper diagnosis and treatment, perpetuating stigma. Methods: The e-SBI incorporates the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) into an electronic format, offering personalized feedback tailored to AUDIT scores. Recruitment targeted nurses affiliated with the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at the University of Arizona. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test to determine significance, assessing user experience, perceived benefits, and motivation for behavior change through pre- and post-engagement surveys. Results: Eight participants completed the pre-engagement survey, but only five completed the post-engagement survey, yielding a 37.5% attrition rate. All were female nurses aged 21 to 59 with at least three years of nursing experience. None had undergone recent alcohol screening, but all valued self-assessment tools. While participants unanimously recognized the intervention's benefit, there was no significant change in their responses. All participants gave positive feedback on the BI and expressed a greater inclination to change their alcohol habits after using the AUDIT Alcohol Screening tool. This provided insights into nurses' responses to alcohol interventions, indicating the potential for positive impact once integrated on a larger scale. Conclusions: e-SBI offers potential solutions for addressing the evolving needs of the nursing profession and healthcare consumers. Integrating the AUDIT Alcohol Screening tool can enhance access to alcohol-related screening and provide valuable educational material to support positive change.