Self-report and biomarker alcohol screening by primary care physicians: The need to translate research into guidelines and practice

Aims: To assess knowledge and use of alcohol self-report and biomarker screening by physicians. Methods: Forty-eight primary care physicians were surveyed. Results: Knowledge of MCV and GGT was as good as that for non-biomarker screening tools (CAGE, AUDIT) although use was significantly less. Knowledge and use of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) was extremely low. Conclusions: Little translation of alcohol biomarker research into guidelines for primary care medicine has occurred. Most physicians report they would utilize these tests more frequently with additional knowledge about availability and use.