Effects of a systematic approach to tobacco cessation in a community-based practice
D. Pine, S. Sullivan, M. Sauser and C. David
Park Nicollet Clinic, Health System Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Studies suggest that the absence of a systematic approach is a barrier to
the provision of tobacco cessation counseling services in clinical
practice. A systematic intervention was shown to be feasible and effective
at a faculty practice site. Our pilot study examined the feasibility of
implementation at a community-based practice and assessed the effect of the
tobacco cessation counseling system on our patients' smoking behavior.
Systematic assessment (smoking status, "readiness to quit"), brief
counseling at each visit, and follow-up (for those ready to quit) were
provided by a physician and nurse team. Our results suggest that the
office-based tobacco cessation counseling system can work in a
community-based practice and is an effective strategy for helping smokers
quit and in preparing to quit.
