An EHR-automated and theory-based population health management intervention for smoking cessation in diverse low-income patients of safety-net health centers: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

This study tested the preliminary effectiveness of an electronic health record (EHR)-automated population health management (PHM) intervention for smoking cessation among adult patients of a federally qualified health center in Chicago. Participants (N = 190; 64.7% women, 82.1% African American/Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino) were self-identified as smokers, as documented in the EHR, who completed the baseline survey of a longitudinal "needs assessment of health behaviors to strengthen health programs and services." Four weeks later, participants were randomly assigned to the PHM intervention (N = 97) or enhanced usual care (EUC; N = 93). PHM participants were mailed a single-page self-determination theory (SDT)-informed letter that encouraged smoking cessation or reduction as an initial step. The letter also addressed low health literacy and low income. PHM participants also received automated text messages on days 1, 5, 8, 11, and 20 after the mailed letter. Two weeks after mailing, participants were called by the Illinois Tobacco Quitline. EUC participants were e-referred following a usual practice. Participants reached by the quitline were offered behavioral counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Outcome assessments were conducted at weeks 6, 14, and 28 after the mailed letter. Primary outcomes were treatment engagement, utilization, and self-reported smoking cessation. In the PHM arm, 25.8% of participants engaged in treatment, 21.6% used treatment, and 16.3% were abstinent at 28 weeks. This contrasts with no quitline engagement among EUC participants, and a 6.4% abstinence rate. A PHM approach that can reach all patients who smoke and address unique barriers for low-income individuals may be a critical supplement to clinic-based care.

Assessment of Self-Management Treatment Needs Among COPD Helpline Callers.

Telephone quitlines are an effective population-based strategy for smoking cessation, particularly among individuals with tobacco-related diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Expanding quitline services to provide COPD-focused self-management interventions is potentially beneficial; however, data are needed to identify specific treatment needs in this population. We conducted a telephone-based survey (N = 5,772) to examine educational needs, behavioral health characteristics, and disease-related interference among individuals with COPD who received services from the American Lung Association (ALA) Lung Helpline. Most participants (73.7%) were interested in COPD-focused information, and few had received prior instruction in breathing exercises (33.9%), energy conservation (26.5%), or airway clearing (32.1%). About one-third of participants engaged in regular exercise, 16.3% followed a special diet, and 81.4% were current smokers. Most participants (78.2%) reported COPD-related interference in daily activities and 30.8% had been hospitalized within the past six months for their breathing. Nearly half of participants (45.4%) reported current symptoms of anxiety or depression. Those with vs. without anxiety/depression had higher rates of COPD-related interference (83.9% vs. 73.5%, p < .001) and past six-month hospitalization (33.4% vs. 28.3%, p < .001). In conclusion, this survey identified strong interest in disease-focused education; a lack of prior instruction in specific self-management strategies for COPD; and behavioral health needs in the areas of exercise, diet, and smoking cessation. Anxiety and depression symptoms were common and associated with greater disease burden, underscoring the importance of addressing coping with negative emotions. Implications for self-management treatments that target multiple behavioral needs of COPD patients are discussed.