Preface

LIPHA, an affiliate of MERCK KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a pioneer in alcoholism research and treatment and supports initiatives in all fields related to alcohol.

In October, 1998, LIPHA gathered together in Lisbon experts from all over Europe to discuss "Under- and Post-graduate Medical Education in Alcohol Problems". This arose from an interest in promoting responses to what all Member Countries of the European Union consider to be a major public health issue.

The objectives of the meeting were:

• to achieve an overview of the different educational programmes in Europe concerned with alcohol;
• to identify gaps in provision;
• to exchange points of view;
• to reach a consensus for a European approach and define guidelines for a minimum educational level in alcohol problems within the normal curriculum of under- and postgraduate medical students.
  

This book aims to reflect what needs to be done to ensure appropriate management of patients with alcohol-related problems.