| Title | Provision of smoking cessation counseling by general practitioners assisted by training and screening procedure. | | Author(s) | Ulbricht S, Meyer C, Schumann A, Rumpf HJ, Hapke U, John U | | Institution | Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17487 Greifswald, Germany. | | Source | Patient Educ Couns 2006 Mar 10. | | Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To examine which counseling behavior among GPs can be achieved after counseling training when organizational support is provided.
METHODS: A random sample of 39 general practices was drawn, 34 took part. GPs received a pre-study assessment followed by a training session for smoking counseling. All patients showing up during a period of 1 week were asked about smoking status. Current smokers, aged 18-70 years were eligible (N=551), 81.8% participated. A documentation sheet, filled in by a study nurse transferred smoking-related information about patient to the GP. GPs were advised to fill in a post-counseling assessment for every patient. A post-study assessment with the GPs was conducted.
RESULTS: Frequent barriers for smoking counseling were lack of time and the assumption that patients were not motivated to quit. The GP's documented smoking counseling in 96.0%. The patients (87.8%) could be thoroughly counseled. Younger age of the GP, a high number of patients and the contemplation stage quitting smoking were predictors for realizing counseling. 79.3% of the GPs assessed the procedure to be practicable.
CONCLUSIONS: Smoking counseling in the general practice is feasible. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: Involving staff in the screening procedure may support counseling activity of the GP. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 16531000 |
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