[Role of the physician in recognition of causes and circumstances of alcohol abuse by patients in general rural dispensaries. Characterization of resources, staff and patients in the primary health care in the Lublin, Chełm, Zamość and Siedlce voivodship (part I)].

As follows from the studies of patients of rural dispensaries, their socio-demographic environment does not differ from that of commune health centers. The alcohol abusing patient is usually a man, 35-40 aged, married, not educated, farmer of low living standard. In both institutions of health care physicians are not well prepared for care of alcohol abusing patients whereby the number of properly trained physicians in rural dispensaries is twice as small as in commune health centers. The physicians in both institutions manage to recognize only a small percentage of alcohol abusers and usually those in advanced stage. The proper training of physicians as far as recognition, prophylaxis, solving alcohol problems, individual and group psychotherapy are concerned in essential in order to improve the existing situation.