Objectives: To investigate the extent and quality of substance use history taking by trainee psychiatrists.
Method: A retrospective clinical casenote audit of admissions to an acute inner city psychiatric unit during three randomly selected months. Data on substance use history taking was recorded by means of a specially designed study checklist.
Results: In almost three-quarters (45, 73%) of admission episodes trainee psychiatrists had made some mention of substance misuse. However, substance use history taking often occurred subsequent to the initial clinical assessment and varied greatly in quality.
Conclusions: The need for a brief, standardised substance use screening questionnaire, easily incorporated into the existing psychiatric interview format is highlighted.
