Reaearch Projects

The Foundation for the Development of Internal Medicine in Europe (FDIME) Supports the ALCHIMIE Study

 

The ALCHIMIE Study project is promoted and supported by the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) and the Foundation for the Development of Internal Medicine (FDIME).

 The study aims to investigate the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and other alcohol related diseases among inpatients in medical wards across Europe and to assess the recognition of AUDs by their attending physicians.  The project is scheduled to be performed in 2010.
   
  Background: The project was developed after the Clinical Research Seminar of the Young Internists Workgroup that was held in Paris in April, 2008 when the ASMI study was presented. This study examined the prevalence of risky and harmful drinking in patients seen in Internal Medicine wards in 21 Spanish Hospitals. It was promoted by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine through the Grupo Espaņol de Estudio de Alcohol y Alcoholismo of  Spain. Due to its simplicity and interesting results, it quickened the idea of performing the study at a European Level.
   
 

The scientific interest of this project is of great value to increase the knowledge and awareness of alcohol related problems in hospitalised patients. The results can also help to promote public awareness of the risk of alcohol consumption and improve the understanding of alcohol-related diseases. In addition, it aims to facilitate contact with institutions and societies in different countries, and increase collaboration between the EFIM Young Internists Working Group and the network of Young Internists across Europe.