Nursing students, nurses and alcohol misuse among elders, study about attitudes and beliefs

It is not easy for nursing students to become a care provider for elderly subjects with alcohol problems. By means of a written questionnaire, 182 nursing students and 555 nurses were asked about their feelings, attitudes, and provided cares for people over 65, in whom an alcohol misuse was suspected. The most frequent reported feelings were availability or attentiveness for 82% of them, and uneasiness, escape or powerlessness for 60%. Only 17% were considered helping and effective, and 13% evoked negative attitudes. The identification of alcohol misuse led to less favorable consequences since 47% reported a communication with the patient, 37% with his family, and 92% with the care team. The alcohol misuse was noted in the care file by 53%, and the recourse to medical advice in the service and in the addictology unit was made by 53% and 32% of them, respectively. These results were less prominent among nursing students than nurses. Nursing students recognize no much negative attitudes towards elderly alcohol misusers. Nevertheless, this positive finding must be relativized considering the week answers about provided care. Dedicating a time for exchange and reflection at the time of communication groups will facilitate nursing care, and prevent negative attitudes.