Treatment for tobacco dependence for rural, lower-income smokers: outcomes, predictors, and measurement considerations.

PURPOSE: Outcomes from a statewide program that delivered evidence-based, intensive treatment for tobacco dependence to a rural population of lower socioeconomic status (SES) were evaluated. Factors that predicted success and measurement considerations were examined. DESIGN AND ANALYSES: Data were collected at intake, at all treatment sessions, and at 3- and 12-months posttreatment. Abstinence rates were calculated using complete-case analysis and intention-to-treat analysis, and they were estimated for all participants. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the predictive significance of demographic and clinical factors. SETTING: Twenty health care sites across Arkansas. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2,350 predominantly rural, lower SES, Arkansas residents. INTERVENTION: Evidence-based, six-session, multi-component cognitive-behavioral therapy with relapse prevention. RESULTS: The estimated percent abstinent was 26.47% at 3-months and 21.73% at 12-months posttreatment; 51.02% of patients completed treatment and demonstrated markedly higher quit rates. Although numerous factors predicted outcomes at different points, self-efficacy and dependence levels at intake were robust predictors across time and methods of calculating outcomes. Sex, partner smoking status, and educational level were significant predictors of long-term abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that intensive, evidence-based treatment for tobacco dependence can be successfully delivered in a statewide program and can yield long-term outcomes that approximate those seen in more controlled settings. Overall sample estimates may be more appropriate for the assessment of outcomes in this context.

A survey of oral and maxillofacial surgeons' tobacco-use-related knowledge, attitudes and intervention behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) treat oral disease attributable to and/or complicated by tobacco use and have unique opportunities to treat patients with tobacco dependence. This study assessed the tobacco-use-related knowledge, attitudes and intervention behaviors of OMS in the United States. METHODS: The authors mailed a 38-item survey to members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (N = 5,234). RESULTS: More than one-half (52.4 percent) of recipients responded; 21.9 percent reported that they assisted tobacco-using patients most of the time; 14.5 percent reported having an awareness of the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline; and 8.7 percent had received training in treating tobacco dependence. Most respondents (90.1 percent) identified tobacco users and 63.3 percent advised tobacco users to quit; less than 15 percent assisted most patients with various interventions. Most respondents did not view providing tobacco treatment as their professional responsibility. Self-efficacy ratings were low, as was perceived treatment effectiveness. Providers with training performed more interventions, perceived interventions to be more effective, reported greater self-efficacy and perceived fewer barriers than did those without training. Most respondents (71.4 percent) were interested in improving their skills in this area. Being female and having received training in treating patients with tobacco dependence predicted a higher frequency of providing interventions. Current tobacco use by providers predicted a lower frequency of providing interventions. CONCLUSIONS: OMS provide interventions for tobacco use at an unacceptably low rate but report that they desire to improve their skills in this area. Training is associated with a higher frequency of intervention behaviors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Training is likely to be well-received and to increase the frequency with which dentists provide treatment for tobacco dependence.

A survey of tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of primary care providers in Mississippi.

RATIONALE: Relative to other regions in the USA, Mississippi has a high prevalence of tobacco use and tobacco-related disease. This study assessed the tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and intervention behaviours of family doctors, dentists and nurse practitioners in the state of Mississippi. METHODS: The Provider Attitude Survey, an 85-item measure of tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and intervention behaviours was mailed to all members of Mississippi's Family Medicine, Dentistry and Nurse Practitioner professional organizations (N=2043). RESULTS: Over one-third (n=802, 39.2%) of eligible providers responded. Just 24.3% had received training in tobacco cessation and 33.7% were aware of the Public Health Service clinical practice guideline. Over 90% indicated that it was their role to prevent tobacco use; felt rewarded when they helped patients quit; and were bothered and upset by the health effects of tobacco. Doctors assisted more patients than nurses or dentists. Doctors and nurses reported more self-efficacy, motivation and preparedness for treating tobacco use than dentists. Providers with training performed more interventions and reported more self-efficacy, preparedness and fewer barriers than those without training. Training was associated with greater increases in self-efficacy, preparedness and intervention behaviours for dentists than for the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high prevalence of tobacco use and tobacco-related disease in Mississippi, primary care providers in Mississippi provide tobacco cessation interventions at an unacceptably low frequency relative to other regions. Training is likely to increase the frequency of intervention behaviours.

Smoking cessation research in primary care treatment centers: the SCRIPT-MS project.

Despite wide distribution of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline, the provision of treatment for tobacco use has been weak. The primary care setting is an ideal environment in which to implement the tobacco clinical practice guideline. It has been suggested that implementation of the guideline may be enhanced by adapting guideline recommendations into a stepped-care plus treatment-matching model; however, this model has yet to be tested. This article describes an ongoing investigation designed to evaluate (1) the feasibility of implementing this treatment model in a primary care environment, (2) efforts on identifying reasonable assessment methods, (3) primary care providers' use of assessment data, and (4) the relationships between predictors and outcomes under differing treatment "step" conditions in primary care settings. Six primary care clinics are participating in this study comparing usual care, brief clinical intervention, and enhanced clinical intervention conditions. The last of these conditions is hypothesized to produce the best and most cost-effective outcomes. Recruitment is expected to continue until January 2004, being 65% complete as of this writing. Follow-up contacts will continue until April 2005. Results should provide information that will contribute to the ongoing development of primary care-based tobacco intervention approaches.

Clinical case study: pediatric residents' discussions of and interventions for children's behavioral and emotional problems.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a screening instrument and parent handouts on pediatric residents' discussions of and interventions for children's behavioral and emotional problems. METHOD: Four pediatric residents and 52 parent-child dyads attending an ambulatory pediatric primary care clinic participated in the study. We used a multiple baseline design across residents. We assessed the effect of the interventions by measuring nine target behaviors of the pediatric residents. RESULTS: After being trained to use the screening instrument, residents increased the number and variety of questions they asked regarding behavioral and emotional issues. Residents' attempts at intervention showed small but consistent increases when handouts on behavior management procedures were made available for distribution to parents. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a screening instrument in pediatric primary care shows promise for increasing discussions between residents and parents about children's behavioral and emotional issues. Further research should examine strategies to improve pediatric residents' attempts at intervention for behavioral and emotional problems in children.