Screening and brief interventions for harmful alcohol use: where to now?

In reply: Malinovská and Brož’s1 description of the situation in the Czech Republic demonstrates just how difficult it can be to implement alcohol screening, brief intervention and referral for treatment (SBIRT), even with legislation compelling health professionals to provide the intervention. Lack of knowledge by clinicians is one barrier, along with hesitancy to raise the issue, for a range of different reasons. Education can assist with these two factors. Other barriers include time pressure and competing clinical priorities.2,3