Delivery of a brief motivational intervention to patients with alcohol-related facial injuries: Role for a specialist nurse

Abstract 

In this paper we focus on providing an alcohol screening and intervention service within maxillofacial surgery. Two trained nurses screened patients with alcohol-related facial injuries who attended maxillofacial outpatient clinics, and gave brief motivational interventions to those who had been drinking to a hazardous level. Patients were followed up at 3 and 12 months after the intervention. 195/249 patients (78%) drank to a hazardous level. One hundred and ninety-five patients received an intervention. Duration of intervention was between 5 and 65 minutes. Reasons for refusal to participate included lack of interest or time, and the main reason for exclusion was length of time since injury. The follow up rate was 103 (53%) at 3 months and 134 (69%) at 12 months.

Conclusions

The high level of hazardous drinking among people with facial trauma suggests a clear need for alcohol screening and intervention. It is feasible for nursing staff to deliver brief interventions in a busy maxillofacial trauma clinic.

Keywords: Facial injuries, Alcohol abuse, Brief intervention