Teaching hospital staff about hazardous drinking: the effect of a single intervention.

AIMS: To determine if a teaching intervention on hazardous drinking could improve the knowledge, attitudes and clinical behaviour of Health Professionals (HP) in a hospital. METHODS: Changes were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the intervention through questionnaires delivered to 38 professionals and interviews with patients (N = 240). RESULTS: Knowledge of professionals improved. No changes were observed through patients' interviews. CONCLUSIONS: A single teaching session produces modest but significant changes in the management of alcohol related issues in hospital staff.