Patient experiences of alcohol specialist nurse interventions in a general hospital, and onwards care pathways

Abstract

Aims: to provide insight into patient experiences of a general hospital based Alcohol Specialist Nurse intervention during alcohol detoxification, experiences of Alcohol Specialist Nurse hospital based follow up appointments (pathway A), as well as the experiences of patients who did not have access to this additional help post detoxification (Pathway B).

Design: a longitudinal qualitative study

Methods: a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews (2016-17) with 24 patient participants (n=12 in each pathway; purposive selection) one to four weeks post detoxification and at three and six months, to identify patient experiences of these interventions.

Results: participants gave accounts of how `empathic’ and `straight talking’ interactions with Alcohol Specialist Nurses during detoxification helped them to `open up’ and orient towards change. After detoxification follow up outpatient appointments in the hospital setting were seen as supporting change in early recovery and engagement with a wider range of services. Those with no access to nurse follow-up described experiencing a `void’ in available help. Participants in both groups described barriers to engagement with community alcohol services, peer groups and access to help for mild-moderate mental health problems.

Conclusion: patient accounts indicate Alcohol Specialist Nurse interventions during and after unplanned detoxification in a hospital setting can help orient patients towards change and support early recovery.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Lucy Dorey: orcid.org/0000-0002-5580-6592

ORCID for Paul Roderick: orcid.org/0000-0001-9475-6850

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