Browsing by Author "Newcombe D"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    A mixed-methods evaluation of an intervention for enhancing alcohol screening in adults aged 50+ attending primary health care
    (CSIRO Publishing on behalf of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, 2025-01-02) Towers A; Newcombe D; White G; McMenamin J; Sheridan J; Rahman J; Moore A; Stokes T
    Introduction Adults aged 50 years and over are drinking more than ever but primary health care (PHC) professionals find it challenging to screen them for alcohol-related harm, despite being at greater risk for harm than younger drinkers. Aim This intervention aimed to enhance alcohol screening for this cohort by (a) introducing an algorithm in the patient management system to automate detection of alcohol risk in patients and (b) providing training to support health professionals' practice of, knowledge about, and comfort with alcohol screening in this cohort. Methods Eleven PHC practices in Aotearoa New Zealand took part in this intervention, including 41 PHC health professionals. Development and integration of the automated alcohol screening process within PHC patient management systems was undertaken in parallel with health professional training approaches. Results Screening rates increased substantially at intervention initiation but fell immediately with the onset of the New Zealand COVID-19 national lockdown. Two-thirds of health professionals identified the system screening prompts, over 40% felt this changed their screening practice, and 33% increased their awareness of - and felt more comfortable screening for - alcohol-related risk in those aged 50+. Discussion We illustrated an initial increase in alcohol screening rates in those aged 50+ as a result of this intervention, but this increase could not be sustained in part due to COVID-19 disruption. However, health professionals indicated that this intervention helped many change their practice and enhanced their awareness of such risk and comfort in screening for alcohol-related risk in those aged 50+.
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    The drinking patterns of older New Zealanders: National and international comparisons
    (Health promotion Agency, 2017-12-01) Towers A; Sheridan J; Newcombe D
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    The longitudinal patterns of alcohol use in older New Zealanders
    (New Zealand Health Promotion Agency, 2018-09-27) Towers A; Sheridan J; Newcombe D; Szabo A
    In this report, distinct groups of older adults were identified based on their drinking patterns, and then investigated to see whether they could be differentiated based on their sociodemographic and health characteristics. Five drinking profiles for older adults were found, with 13% of older adults having alcohol consumption patterns that posed a serious and immediate risk to their health (ie drank with moderate or high frequency and consumed many drinks on each occasion). It was also found that older adults were likely to drink with higher frequency if they were male; at the younger stage of older adulthood (around 60-70 years); have a moderate to high level of education; and have a higher economic living standard
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    The prevalence of hazardous drinking in older New Zealanders
    (Health Promotion Agency, 2018-09-12) Towers A; Sheridan J; Newcombe D; Szabo A
    In a national survey of older adults, we compared the classification of hazardous versus non-hazardous drinkers based on the AUDIT-C and the Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool (CARET). The CARET is an older adult-specific alcohol screen that assesses alcohol-related risks both based on consumption levels and the presence of factors increasing potential harm, including health conditions associated with alcohol use (such as diabetes), the use of alcohol-interacting medication (such as pain medications), symptoms of health issues or frailty (such as low mood, memory problems, and falls), and alcohol risk behaviours (such as drink-driving).