Browsing by Person "Gill, Jan"

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A sample of 2009 Scottish Medical Graduates: their views on proposed changes to the sale of alcohol .
(BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., 2009) Gill, Jan; Gibson, Caroline; Nicol, Maggie
A teachable moment for the teachable moment? A prospective study to evaluate delivery of a workshop designed to increase knowledge and skills in relation to alcohol brief interventions (ABIs) amongst final year nursing and occupational therapy undergraduates
(2016-09) O'May, Fiona; Gill, Jan; McWhirter, Eleanor; Kantartzis, Sarah; Rees, C.; Murray, K.
The perceived value of Alcohol Brief Interventions as a tool to address alcohol misuse in Scotland has supported the establishment of a Health Improvement, Efficiency, Access and Treatment, HEAT: H4 Standard to deliver ABIs within certain health care settings. This requires that nursing, medical and allied health professionals are appropriately skilled to deliver these interventions. This study explores the knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol misuse and related interventions among two cohorts of final year nursing and occupational therapy undergraduate students before, during and following participation in a workshop devoted to ABI delivery. While relatively good knowledge around recommended limits for daily consumption was evident, this did not translate into competence relating to drink unit content. Although there was overwhelming agreement for the role of each profession in ABI delivery, less than half of students in each cohort at the outset of the workshop agreed that they had the appropriate knowledge to advise patients about responsible drinking. In both cohorts, at the three month follow-up stage, this percentage had almost doubled. Newly qualified practitioners perceived a wider role for motivational interviewing, and endorsed interactive delivery of alcohol education throughout all levels of the curriculum.
Alcohol purchasing by ill heavy drinkers; cheap alcohol is no single commodity
(2015-09-26) Gill, Jan; Chick, J.; Black, H.; Rees, C.; O'May, Fiona; Rush, Robert; McPake, Barbara
Objectives: Potential strategies to address alcohol misuse remain contentious. We aim to characterise the drink purchases of one population group: heavy drinkers in contact with Scottish health services. We contrast our findings with national sales data and explore the impact of socio-economic status on purchasing behaviour. Study design: Cross-sectional study comparing alcohol purchasing and consumption by heavy drinkers in Edinburgh and Glasgow during 2012. Methods: 639 patients with serious health problems linked to alcohol (recruited within NHS hospital clinics (in- and out-patient settings) 345 in Glasgow, 294 in Edinburgh) responded to a questionnaire documenting demographic data and last week's or a 'typical' weekly consumption (type, brand, volume, price, place of purchase). Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile was derived as proxy of sociodemographic status. Results: Median consumption was 184.8 (IQR = 162.2) UK units/week paying a mean of 39.7 pence per alcohol unit (0.397). Off-sales accounted for 95% of purchases with 85% of those <50 pence (0.5 UK) per alcohol unit. Corresponding figures for the Scottish population are 69% and 60%. The most popular low-priced drinks were white cider, beer and vodka with the most common off-sales outlet being the corner shop, despite supermarkets offering cheaper options. Consumption levels of the cheapest drink (white cider) were similar across all quintiles apart from the least deprived. Conclusions: Heavy drinkers from all quintiles purchase the majority of their drinks from off-sale settings seeking the cheapest drinks, often favouring local suppliers. While beer was popular, recent legislation impacting on the sale of multibuys may prevent the heaviest drinkers benefiting from the lower beer prices available in supermarkets. Non-etheless, drinkers were able to offset higher unit prices with cheaper drink types and maintain high levels of consumption. Whilst price is key, heavy drinkers are influenced by other factors and adapt their purchasing as necessary. 2015 The Authors.
Alcohol use amongst older adults: Knowledge and beliefs of occupational therapists working in physical health care settings
(2015-05) Maclean, Fiona; Gill, Jan; O'May, Fiona; Breckenridge, Jenna
Introduction: There is little discussion in the United Kingdom occupational therapy literature surrounding the topic of older people and alcohol, despite the growing prevalence of alcohol-related health problems in older adults resulting from an ageing population and changing patterns of consumption. Occupational therapists in physical health care settings are likely to work with older people whose drinking pattern may not be alcohol dependent, but may put their physical or psychological health at risk. Method: A survey methodology was employed using open and closed questions, recruiting occupational therapists (band 5 to 9) (n=122) working with older people (65+ years) in physical health care settings across all, except one, National Health Service Regional Health Boards in Scotland. Results: Responses highlight gaps in occupational therapists' knowledge around alternative 'safe limits' of alcohol intake for older people. Belief in professional role was evident, but the perception was that this was not supported by undergraduate education. Occupation focused theory and assessment were not prioritized when considering alcohol in the older adult. Conclusion: This study has highlighted a need to develop pre-and post-qualification education for occupational therapists, to enhance understanding of theory, assessment and knowledge of alcohol with older adults in physical health care settings. The Author(s) 2015.
Awareness of unit content of self poured drinks by UK adults: a useful intervention tool? Alcohol Insight report submitted to the Alcohol Education Research Council.
(Alcohol Education Research Council, 2007) Gill, Jan; O'May, Fiona
Inappropriate alcohol consumption in the UK is linked with considerable human and financial cost and the case for effective measures to address this issue is well argued. An important component of current UK alcohol policy is the 'Sensible Drinking' message introduced in 1995 by the Department of Health which promotes limiting daily intake of alcohol to 2 - 3 UK units for women and 3 - 4 UK units for men. The effectiveness of this message is partly dependent on a clear understanding among drinkers of the term 'unit' used to quantify alcohol drinks. Early guidance equated a unit of alcohol with a 'measure' of spirit or a 'glass' of wine. However there is evidence to suggest that among the general public some confusion exists around the content of the message and the concept of a unit of alcohol. It may be that a section of the UK population unwittingly exceeds recommended daily consumption guidelines purely for these reasons. In this report we describe the piloting of a simple practical intervention tool. Each participant in this study was asked to pour the drink of wine or spirit they would pour at home into a glass they selected from six (four wine, two spirit)purchased from UK 'high street' stores. The unit content of their poured drink and their personal daily limit in terms of this drink were then calculated and relayed back to the participant and their reaction noted. We hoped this exercise might illustrate in a very personal way the volume of alcoholic drink associated with their daily limits of consumption and thereby re-enforce the detail of campaigns promoting responsible drinking. Data were collected during a ten day period in December 2006. Study participants were either employees of a major UK financial institution or, staff and students located at an academic institution in the same city. In addition to the pouring test, each participant completed a short questionnaire relating to the UK Sensible Drinking message.
Binge Drinking: a Commentary.
(Nova Publishers, 2009-03) Gill, Jan; Murdoch, J.; O'May, Fiona; DiGuarde, Kevin I.
Binge drinking is now usually used to refer to heavy drinking over an evening or similar time span - sometimes also referred to as heavy episodic drinking. Binge drinking is often associated with drinking with the intention of becoming intoxicated and, sometimes, with drinking in large groups. It is sometimes associated with physical or social harm.
'Binge drinking? It's good, it's harmless fun': a discourse analysis of accounts of female undergraduate drinking in Scotland.
(2006) Guise, J.; Gill, Jan
Binge drinking in young people, particularly females and students, is a source of some concern to those engaged in health education. The concept is usually defined in terms of quantities of alcohol consumed within a relatively short space of time. Research suggests that reasons for drinking are varied, and are likely to be influenced by culture and context. This study aimed to explore issues important to female undergraduate students in Scotland. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 19 participants who were asked to describe what they understand by the term 'binge drinking', why they drink and what might trigger excessive consumption. Discourse analysis was used to explore the possible 'functions' of what was said, as well as the content. Participants showed sensitivity to how others might interpret their responses. They described binge drinking in terms of its behavioural effects rather than quantities consumed. Crucially, they positioned themselves outside the categories of 'serious' or 'anti-social' drinkers. These findings have important implications for our understanding of factors influencing drinking behaviour in this group of people, which in turn impacts on the potential design of health-enhancing interventions. The study also demonstrates the usefulness of a discourse analytic approach to accounts of drinking behaviour.
Biomedical links between cognitions and behaviour
(Elsevier, 2008) Gill, Jan
Can Part of the Health Damage Linked to Alcohol Misuse in Scotland be Attributable to the Type of Drink and its Low Price (by Permitting a Rapid Rate of Consumption)? A Point of View
(Oxford Journals, 2010) Gill, Jan; Tsang, Catherine; Black, Heather; Chick, Jonathan
This article considers two sets of data describing the extent of consumption of white spirit drinks by a sample of patients who abuse alcohol and the analysis of drink antioxidant content. We present a proposal for discussion that the rapid consumption of alcoholic drinks, low in protective antioxidant compounds, may potentially be more damaging to the body.
Drink labelling and the 'Sensible Drinking' message; awareness and perceptions among supermarket shoppers in Scotland
(2006-01-14) Gill, Jan; O'May, Fiona
Sir, Within the UK eleven years on from the publication of the 'Sensible drinking' guidelines1, the social repercussions from the abuse of alcohol remain a major issue. Several government-led initiatives have ensued. One, the labelling of drink cans and bottles has been adopted in varying degrees. Unit labelling was introduced to the UK in 1998 on a voluntary basis, two years ago the government encouraged drink producers to add a sensible drinking message to their labels2.
Emerging tools in qualitative research methods : asynchronous online discussion and the use of WebCT
(2006) Giatsi Clausen, Maria; Nicol, Maggie; Gill, Jan
The use of the Internet as a medium for conducting research is not a new concept and certainly one that is constantly evolving. The online environment represents numerous opportunities for methodological innovations. Online discussions are a permutation- of the traditional focus groups, which have been closely associated to qualitative research and the production of rich, textual data relating to the participants' lives and experiences.
Healthcare and Medical Graduates of 2009: Their Reactions to Four Key Proposals in the Scottish Government's Strategy for Tackling Alcohol Misuse
(2010) Gill, Jan; Gibson, Caroline; Nicol, Maggie
Aims: This study compares the views of final year medical, and nursing and allied health professional (NAHP) students in relation to four governmental proposals impacting on the sale and purchase of alcohol. Methods: Against a background of political will to address alcohol abuse in Scotland and moves within the National Health Service promoting a shifting of professional roles, self-completed questionnaires were administered in spring 2009 through course websites and lectures to final year medical and NAHP students. Results: Questionnaires were returned by 406 NAHPs and 121 medical students. Over three quarters of all students agreed with the proposed change to reduce the drink driving limit to 50 mg/100 ml blood. Less support was evident for the raising of the minimum legal purchase age for off-sales (37%), the banning of below cost price promotions of alcohol (47%) and minimum retail pricing (37%). However, there were differences between the NAHP and medical students in the case of the final two proposals; over 60% of the medical students agreed they would have a positive impact. For NAHPs, figures were 41% and 31%, respectively. Conclusions: Support for four key proposals outlined by the Scottish Government to address alcohol misuse varied. Only the suggestion to lower the drink driving limit received backing overall and within students in these professions. Effectiveness of proposed restrictions on the price of alcohol was less well regarded except by medical students. Evident gaps in knowledge around health guidelines, and the finding that almost half of NAHPs disagreed that they had the appropriate knowledge to advise patients about responsible drinking advice and alcohol misuse problems, suggest a need for improved undergraduate education and continued professional development with respect to public health aspects of alcohol use.
Healthcare graduates for the 21st century; Knowledge and attitudes relating to alcohol and brief interventions.
(2009-11-27) Gill, Jan; Nicol, Maggie; Gibson, Caroline; O'May, Fiona
Final year students studying a variety of healthcare courses (involving inter-professional education), at six Scottish universities completed a questionnaire (spring 2009). While changes in current health policy endorse graduate attributes promoting shared responsibility, an overlapping of roles, analysis of findings revealed differences between the professions in terms of level of understanding of health guidelines, acceptance of role and perceived confidence in personal knowledge relating to alcohol misuse. Two professions were predominantly viewed as key to this area of practice only by their own students (OT and pharmacy) while three (speech and language, radiography, dietetics) doubted the importance of their role.
Heavy drinkers' perspectives on minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland: A qualitative interview study
(2016-07-07) O'May, Fiona; Gill, Jan; Black, Heather; Rees, Cheryl; Chick, Jonathan; McPake, Barbara
The irrefutable consequence of Scottish excessive alcohol consumption has prompted implementation and proposal of alcohol policy measures. The purpose of this study is to explore with heavy drinkers their awareness of and identify potential implications of policy introducing alcohol minimum unit pricing (MUP). Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with drinkers with alcohol-related harm (n = 20; 15 males, five females; aged 34 to 67 years old) in Scotland's two largest cities (drinkers were participants within a larger quantitative study, through attendance for treatment for alcoholrelated harms at National Health Service [NHS] centers). Median weekly consumption among participants was 130.7 units (range: 28-256.3 U.K. units). Views regarding the impact of increased alcohol prices, through MUP, were mixed. While some drinkers indicated potential reduction in intake, thus possibly reducing alcohol harms in the long term, the expected, or even desired, from a public health perspective, effects on consumption and associated harms might not be fully realized in this group. To mitigate possible unintended short-term detrimental effects of MUP on the most vulnerable, careful planning and appropriate resourcing may be required prior to implementation.
How 'sensible' is the UK Sensible Drinking message? Preliminary findings amongst newly matriculated female university students in Scotland
(Oxford Journals, 2007) Gill, Jan; O'May, Fiona
Background Current levels and patterns of alcohol drinking continue to cause concern, particularly amongst young females. Effective interventions remain elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of knowledge relating to UK 'Sensible Drinking' guidelines, definitions of binge drinking and attitude to drink labelling initiatives amongst female school leavers enrolling at university. Methods Non-standardized questionnaires were administered and completed by researchers during the process of matriculation (response rate 94%; n = 180). Results The survey revealed that recommended daily guidelines for women were not recalled by 54% of participants; 52% could not quote the unit content of their favoured alcoholic drink, whereas only 14% reported the use of the UK unit system to guide drinking. Personal quantitativedefinitions of binge drinking varied by a factor of 18. Conclusion A rewording of the UK Sensible Drinking message to one recognizing the needs of different population groups and their particularlanguage of consumption measure is timely. Keywords binge drinking, health messages, student drinking
Is It My Job? Alcohol Brief Interventions: Knowledge and Attitudes among Future Health-care Professionals in Scotland
(Oxford University Press, 2011-05) Gill, Jan; O'May, Fiona
Aims: To document knowledge and perceptions relating to the professional role in the area of alcohol misuse within a sample of first year (n = 278) and final year (n = 527) medical, nursing and allied health professional (NAHP) students in Scotland. Methods: A cross sectional survey design involving self-completed questionnaires administered in autumn 2008 (first year students) and spring 2009 (final year students) through course websites and lectures. Results: Gaps in the knowledge relating to current UK health guidelines were identified but more so among NAHP students than medical students. Exploration of the perceived role in this area of practice identified three broad groups of students: those clear about their role (medical and nursing students), those advocating a role but not identified by fellow students (occupational therapy and pharmacy) and those uncertain of their role (radiographers, speech and language therapists/audiologists and physiotherapy). Conclusions: Higher education institutions should address the gaps in the knowledge around guidance for alcohol consumption. The effectiveness of brief interventions may depend on it. Additionally, through inter-professional teaching and in collaboration with the relevant professional bodies, more could be done to promote the contribution of practitioners other than those traditionally linked (i.e. medical and nursing) to this important clinical role.
Occupational therapists' perceptions of preterm children's academic difficulties in the early years of mainstream schooling
(2012) Giatsi Clausen, Maria; Nicol, Maggie; Gill, Jan
Occupational therapists' perceptions on the academic difficulties preterm children present with in their first years of mainstream schooling
(2007) Giatsi Clausen, Maria; Nicol, Maggie; Gill, Jan
Occupational Therapy graduates of 2009; knowledge and attitudes relating to their role in the area of alcohol misuse.
(College of Occupational Therapists, 2011-04) Gill, Jan; Maclean, Fiona; Renton, Linda; O'May, Fiona
Purpose: Within Scotland, health policy changes are being considered to address the misuse of alcohol. Concurrently, a shifting of professional roles within the National Health Service is under way. The purpose of the study was to investigate personal knowledge and attitudes relating to alcohol use/misuse amongst all final year Scottish occupational therapy students. Procedure: A self-completed questionnaire was developed for delivery in spring 2009 within scheduled lectures to students (n = 161) at all three Scottish universities providing occupational therapy education. Findings: Of those in class, 93% (n = 109) provided completed questionnaires. There was evidence of gaps in knowledge around the understanding and application of United Kingdom responsible drinking guidelines; however, students reported confidence in their professional and personal ability to act effectively in this area of clinical practice. There was a distinct lack of congruence with key proposals put forward by the Scottish Government to address alcohol misuse. Conclusion: Identified knowledge gaps have implications for the alcohol teaching content of the curriculum in Scotland. Additionally, while investigation of student attitudes revealed a self-belief in personal and professional skills, the findings nevertheless stress a need to ensure that the potential value of occupational therapists’ contribution is more effectively communicated to their health professional colleague.
People seem confused about sensible drinking messages
(2006-02-04) Gill, Jan; O'May, Fiona
EDITOR-Eleven years after publication of guidelines on sensible drinking,1 the social repercussions from the abuse of alcohol remain worrying in the UK. Unit labelling of alcohol drink containers was introduced in 1998 on a voluntary basis. In 2004 the government encouraged manufacturers to add messages on sensible drinking.2 We investigated two interrelated aspects of public health education-recall of sensible drinking messages and awareness of drink labelling-among Scottish supermarket shoppers. The supermarket visited has pre-empted UK drink labelling innovations-since 2003 wine sourced from its own supplier has displayed a comprehensive label showing the percentage of alcohol, the units of alcohol in the particular bottle, and daily guidelines of sensible drinking for both sexes. Shoppers at three city supermarkets were approached on three consecutive weekdays (July 2005). Of 263 drinkers surveyed, 174 (66%) were women and 248 (94%) purchased alcoholic drinks from supermarkets.