PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - C A Lock
AU  - E F Kaner
AU  - N Heather
AU  - E Gilvarry
AU  - B R McAvoy
TI  - Changes in receptionists' attitudes towards involvement in a general practice-based trial of screening and brief alcohol intervention.
DP  - 2000 Feb 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 111--115
VI  - 50
IP  - 451
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/50/451/111.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/50/451/111.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2000 Feb 01; 50
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary health care receptionists are increasingly expected to be involved in research. However, little is known about receptionists' attitudes to research or health programmes. AIM: To examine changes in receptionists' attitudes, with different levels of training and support, towards involvement in a general practice-based trial of screening and brief alcohol intervention. METHOD: Subjects were 84 receptionists, one per practice, who assisted in the implementation of a screening and brief alcohol intervention programme. Receptionists were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control (no training or support), training alone, and training plus ongoing telephone support. Baseline and follow-up questionnaires were used to assess changes in receptionists' attitudes. RESULTS: Of 40 items that measured receptionists' attitudes to involvement in the programme, 70% had deteriorated after three months, 20% significantly so. There was no effect of training and support condition. Receptionists' and GPs' attitudes to research and health programmes conflicted. CONCLUSION: Receptionists developed more negative views about involvement in research and health programmes over the three-month study period, regardless of level of training and support.