Title
Efficacy of a brief intervention to improve emergency physicians' smoking cessation counseling skills, knowledge, and attitudes
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Emergency Medicine
Date
4-7-2009
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Counseling; Curriculum; *Education; *Emergency Medicine; Female; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Motivation; Physician's Role; Physician-Patient Relations; Referral and Consultation; Smoking; *Smoking Cessation; United States
Disciplines
Emergency Medicine
Abstract
The objective of this study was to test whether a brief educational/administrative intervention could increase tobacco counseling by emergency physicians (EPs). Pre-/post-study at eight emergency departments (EDs) with residency programs were carried out. EPs received a 1-hour lecture on the health effects of smoking and strategies to counsel patients. After the lecture, cards promoting a national smokers' quitline were placed in EDs, to be distributed by providers. Providers completed pre-/ post-intervention questionnaires. Patients were interviewed pre-/post-intervention to assess provider behavior. Two hundred eighty-seven EPs were enrolled. Post-intervention, providers were more likely to consider tobacco counseling part of their role, and felt more confident in counseling. Data from 1168 patient interviews and chart reviews showed that, post-intervention, providers were more likely to ask patients about smoking, make a referral, and document smoking counseling. Post-intervention, 30% of smokers were given a Quitline referral card. An educational intervention improved ED-based tobacco interventions. Controlled trials are needed to establish these results' durability.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Subst Abus. 2009 Apr-Jun;30(2):158-81. Link to article on publisher's site
Comments
At the time of publication, Edwin Boudreaux was not yet affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.