Subject(s)
Smoking/epidemiology , Smoking/psychology , Tobacco Use Cessation/methods , Tobacco, Smokeless/statistics & numerical data , Health Policy , Humans , Risk Factors , Smoking Cessation/methods , Smoking Cessation/psychology , Tobacco Products/statistics & numerical data , Tobacco Use Cessation/psychology , West Virginia/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Few health degree programs incorporate sufficient tobacco cessation education in core curricula. METHODS: A national survey of 132 PA programs assessed the extent to which tobacco is addressed, educational methods, perceived importance and adequacy of tobacco education, and perceived barriers to enhancing tobacco-related content. RESULTS: Surveys (n = 99; 75%) revealed a median of 150 minutes of tobacco education throughout the degree program. Key barriers to enhancing training are lack of curriculum time and lack of access to comprehensive, evidence-based resources. Two-thirds expressed interest in participating in a nationwide effort to enhance tobacco cessation training. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other disciplines, enhanced tobacco education is needed in PA programs to adequately prepare graduates to address the primary known cause of preventable death in the United States.
