Substance Abuse and Dependence Treatment in Outpatient Physician Offices, 1997–2004

Abstract

Objective: To examine patient, physician, and visit characteristics associated with treatment for substance abuse during outpatient physician visits. Methods: Secondary data was obtained from the 1997–2004 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Results: A substance abuse diagnosis was recorded in. 9% of general and family practice visits,. 8% of internal medicine visits, and 5.1% of psychiatry visits. Multivariable logistic regression found that women, elderly, non-White, and established patients were less likely to be given a substance abuse diagnosis. Conclusion: Increased screening, particularly of existing patients, may lead to decreased gender, age, and racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment.