@article{ref1,
title="Socio-demographic characteristics and stereotyping of people who frequently attend accident and emergency departments for alcohol-related reasons: qualitative study",
journal="Drugs: education, prevention, and policy",
year="2017",
author="Neale, Joanne and Parkman, Tom and Day, Ed and Drummond, Colin",
volume="24",
number="1",
pages="67-74",
abstract="Aims: To provide new insights into the socio-demographic characteristics of people who frequently attend Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments for alcohol-related reasons and to explore the findings with reference to stereotyping and prejudice. <br><br>METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 30 individuals (18 males; 12 females; aged 20-68 years) recruited from six A&E departments across London, United Kingdom. Participants had all attended A&E ≥10 times within the last year or ≥5 times in the last three months for an alcohol-related condition. Detailed data relating to participants' socio-demographic characteristics were systematically coded and analysed. <br><br>FINDINGS: Participants reported many years of heavy drinking, and high levels of mental and physical ill health, unemployment, dependence on state benefits, housing problems and social isolation. Frequency of A&E attendances varied greatly by participant, patterns of drinking and other substance use were diverse, and the nature and extent of self-reported health and social problems were wide-ranging. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that people who regularly attend A&E for alcohol-related reasons collectively experience multiple and complex needs, but individually have diverse patterns of drinking and other problems. Flexible person-centred systems could help to support this patient population, whilst avoidance of terminology that overstates group traits should help to minimise stigma.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0968-7637",
doi="10.1080/09687637.2016.1185091",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2016.1185091"
}