Nursing interventions for smoking cessation

Nursing interventions for smoking cessation

BACKGROUND

Healthcare professionals, including nurses, frequently advise people to improve their health by stopping smoking. Such advice may be brief, or part of more intensive interventions.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of nursing-delivered smoking cessation interventions in adults. To establish whether nursing-delivered smoking cessation interventions are more effective than no intervention; are more effective if the intervention is more intensive; differ in effectiveness with health state and setting of the participants; are more effective if they include follow-ups; are more effective if they include aids that demonstrate the pathophysiological effect of smoking.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register and CINAHL in January 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized trials of smoking cessation interventions delivered by nurses or health visitors with follow-up of at least six months.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors extracted data independently. The main outcome measure was abstinence from smoking after at least six months of follow-up. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence for each trial, and biochemically-validated rates if available. Where statistically and clinically appropriate, we pooled studies using a Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model and reported the outcome as a risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria, nine of which are new for this update. Pooling 44 studies (over 20,000 participants) comparing a nursing intervention to a control or to usual care, we found the intervention increased the likelihood of quitting (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.38); however, statistical heterogeneity was moderate (I² = 50%) and not explained by subgroup analysis. Because of this, we judged the quality of evidence to be moderate. Despite most studies being at unclear risk of bias in at least one domain, we did not downgrade the quality of evidence further, as restricting the main analysis to only those studies at low risk of bias did not significantly alter the effect estimate. Subgroup analyses found no evidence that high-intensity interventions, interventions with additional follow-up or interventions including aids that demonstrate the pathophysiological effect of smoking are more effective than lower intensity interventions, or interventions without additional follow-up or aids. There was no evidence that the effect of support differed by patient group or across healthcare settings.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate quality evidence that behavioural support to motivate and sustain smoking cessation delivered by nurses can lead to a modest increase in the number of people who achieve prolonged abstinence. There is insufficient evidence to assess whether more intensive interventions, those incorporating additional follow-up, or those incorporating pathophysiological feedback are more effective than one-off support. There was no evidence that the effect of support differed by patient group or across healthcare settings.

Development of a Tobacco Cessation Clinical Decision Support System for Pediatric Emergency Nurses

Almost 50% of children who visit the pediatric emergency department are exposed to tobacco smoke. However, pediatric emergency nurses do not routinely address this issue. The incorporation of a clinical decision support system into the electronic health record may improve the rates of tobacco exposure screening and interventions. We used a mixed-methods design to develop, refine, and implement an evidence-based clinical decision support system to help nurses screen, educate, and assist caregivers to quit smoking. We included an advisory panel of emergency department experts and leaders and focus and user groups of nurses. The prompts include the following: (1) "Ask" about child smoke exposure and caregiver smoking; (2) "Advise" caregivers to reduce their child's smoke exposure by quitting smoking; (3) "Assess" interest; and (4) "Assist" caregivers to quit. The clinical decision support system was created to reflect nurses' suggestions and was implemented in five busy urgent care settings with 38 nurses. The nurses reported that the system was easy to use and helped them to address caregiver smoking. The use of this innovative tool may create a sustainable and disseminable model for prompting nurses to provide evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment.

Management of thyroid eye disease in the United Kingdom: A multi-centre thyroid eye disease audit

This article aims to provide baseline data and highlight any major deficiencies in the current level of care provided for adult patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). We undertook a prospective, nonrandomized cross-sectional multicenter observational study. During a 3-month period June-August 2014, consecutive adult patients with TED who presented to nominated specialist eye clinics in the United Kingdom, completed a standardized questionnaire. Main outcome measures were: demographics, time from diagnosis to referral to tertiary centre, time from referral to review in specialist eye clinic, management of thyroid dysfunction, radioiodine and provision of steroid prophylaxis, smoking, and TED classification. 91 patients (mean age 47.88 years) were included. Female-to-male ratio was 6:1. Mean time since first symptoms of TED = 27.92 (73.71) months; from first visit to any doctor with symptoms to diagnosis = 9.37 (26.03) months; from hyperthyroidism diagnosis to euthyroidism 12.45 (16.81) months. First, 13% had received radioiodine. All those with active TED received prophylactic steroids. Seven patients who received radioiodine and did not have TED at the time went on to develop it. Then, 60% patients were current or ex-smokers. 63% current smokers had been offered smoking cessation advice. 65% patients had active TED; 4% had sight-threatening TED. A large proportion of patients (54%) were unaware of their thyroid status. Not enough patients are being provided with smoking cessation advice and information on the impact of smoking on TED and control of thyroid function.

Interventions to improve safe and effective medicines use by consumers: an overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Many systematic reviews exist on interventions to improve safe and effective medicines use by consumers, but research is distributed across diseases, populations and settings. The scope and focus of such reviews also vary widely, creating challenges for decision-makers seeking to inform decisions by using the evidence on consumers' medicines use.This is an update of a 2011 overview of systematic reviews, which synthesises the evidence, irrespective of disease, medicine type, population or setting, on the effectiveness of interventions to improve consumers' medicines use.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions which target healthcare consumers to promote safe and effective medicines use, by synthesising review-level evidence.

SEARCH METHODS

We included systematic reviews published on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects. We identified relevant reviews by handsearching databases from their start dates to March 2012.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We screened and ranked reviews based on relevance to consumers' medicines use, using criteria developed for this overview.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standardised forms to extract data, and assessed reviews for methodological quality using the AMSTAR tool. We used standardised language to summarise results within and across reviews; and gave bottom-line statements about intervention effectiveness. Two review authors screened and selected reviews, and extracted and analysed data. We used a taxonomy of interventions to categorise reviews and guide syntheses.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 75 systematic reviews of varied methodological quality. Reviews assessed interventions with diverse aims including support for behaviour change, risk minimisation and skills acquisition. No reviews aimed to promote systems-level consumer participation in medicines-related activities. Medicines adherence was the most frequently-reported outcome, but others such as knowledge, clinical and service-use outcomes were also reported. Adverse events were less commonly identified, while those associated with the interventions themselves, or costs, were rarely reported.Looking across reviews, for most outcomes, medicines self-monitoring and self-management programmes appear generally effective to improve medicines use, adherence, adverse events and clinical outcomes; and to reduce mortality in people self-managing antithrombotic therapy. However, some participants were unable to complete these interventions, suggesting they may not be suitable for everyone.Other promising interventions to improve adherence and other key medicines-use outcomes, which require further investigation to be more certain of their effects, include:· simplified dosing regimens: with positive effects on adherence;· interventions involving pharmacists in medicines management, such as medicines reviews (with positive effects on adherence and use, medicines problems and clinical outcomes) and pharmaceutical care services (consultation between pharmacist and patient to resolve medicines problems, develop a care plan and provide follow-up; with positive effects on adherence and knowledge).Several other strategies showed some positive effects, particularly relating to adherence, and other outcomes, but their effects were less consistent overall and so need further study. These included:· delayed antibiotic prescriptions: effective to decrease antibiotic use but with mixed effects on clinical outcomes, adverse effects and satisfaction;· practical strategies like reminders, cues and/or organisers, reminder packaging and material incentives: with positive, although somewhat mixed effects on adherence;· education delivered with self-management skills training, counselling, support, training or enhanced follow-up; information and counselling delivered together; or education/information as part of pharmacist-delivered packages of care: with positive effects on adherence, medicines use, clinical outcomes and knowledge, but with mixed effects in some studies;· financial incentives: with positive, but mixed, effects on adherence.Several strategies also showed promise in promoting immunisation uptake, but require further study to be more certain of their effects. These included organisational interventions; reminders and recall; financial incentives; home visits; free vaccination; lay health worker interventions; and facilitators working with physicians to promote immunisation uptake. Education and/or information strategies also showed some positive but even less consistent effects on immunisation uptake, and need further assessment of effectiveness and investigation of heterogeneity.There are many different potential pathways through which consumers' use of medicines could be targeted to improve outcomes, and simple interventions may be as effective as complex strategies. However, no single intervention assessed was effective to improve all medicines-use outcomes across all diseases, medicines, populations or settings.Even where interventions showed promise, the assembled evidence often only provided part of the picture: for example, simplified dosing regimens seem effective for improving adherence, but there is not yet sufficient information to identify an optimal regimen.In some instances interventions appear ineffective: for example, the evidence suggests that directly observed therapy may be generally ineffective for improving treatment completion, adherence or clinical outcomes.In other cases, interventions may have variable effects across outcomes. As an example, strategies providing information or education as single interventions appear ineffective to improve medicines adherence or clinical outcomes, but may be effective to improve knowledge; an important outcome for promoting consumers' informed medicines choices.Despite a doubling in the number of reviews included in this updated overview, uncertainty still exists about the effectiveness of many interventions, and the evidence on what works remains sparse for several populations, including children and young people, carers, and people with multimorbidity.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This overview presents evidence from 75 reviews that have synthesised trials and other studies evaluating the effects of interventions to improve consumers' medicines use.Systematically assembling the evidence across reviews allows identification of effective or promising interventions to improve consumers' medicines use, as well as those for which the evidence indicates ineffectiveness or uncertainty.Decision makers faced with implementing interventions to improve consumers' medicines use can use this overview to inform decisions about which interventions may be most promising to improve particular outcomes. The intervention taxonomy may also assist people to consider the strategies available in relation to specific purposes, for example, gaining skills or being involved in decision making. Researchers and funders can use this overview to identify where more research is needed and assess its priority. The limitations of the available literature due to the lack of evidence for important outcomes and important populations, such as people with multimorbidity, should also be considered in practice and policy decisions.

Nursing interventions for smoking cessation

BACKGROUND

Healthcare professionals, including nurses, frequently advise people to improve their health by stopping smoking. Such advice may be brief, or part of more intensive interventions.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of nursing-delivered smoking cessation interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group specialized Register and CINAHL in June 2013.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized trials of smoking cessation interventions delivered by nurses or health visitors with follow-up of at least six months.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors extracted data independently. The main outcome measure was abstinence from smoking after at least six months of follow-up. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence for each trial, and biochemically validated rates if available. Where statistically and clinically appropriate, we pooled studies using a Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model and reported the outcome as a risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Forty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooling 35 studies (over 17,000 participants) comparing a nursing intervention to a control or to usual care, we found the intervention to increase the likelihood of quitting (RR 1.29; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.39). In a subgroup analysis the estimated effect size was similar for the group of seven studies using a particularly low intensity intervention but the confidence interval was wider. There was limited indirect evidence that interventions were more effective for hospital inpatients with cardiovascular disease than for inpatients with other conditions. Interventions in non-hospitalized adults also showed evidence of benefit. Eleven studies comparing different nurse-delivered interventions failed to detect significant benefit from using additional components. Six studies of nurse counselling on smoking cessation during a screening health check or as part of multifactorial secondary prevention in general practice (not included in the main meta-analysis) found nursing intervention to have less effect under these conditions.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate the potential benefits of smoking cessation advice and/or counselling given by nurses, with reasonable evidence that intervention is effective. The evidence for an effect is weaker when interventions are brief and are provided by nurses whose main role is not health promotion or smoking cessation. The challenge will be to incorporate smoking behaviour monitoring and smoking cessation interventions as part of standard practice so that all patients are given an opportunity to be asked about their tobacco use and to be given advice and/or counselling to quit along with reinforcement and follow-up.

The impact of a team-based intervention on the lifestyle risk factor management practices of community nurses: outcomes of the community nursing SNAP trial

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle risk factors like smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity (SNAP) are the main behavioural risk factors for chronic disease. Primary health care is an appropriate setting to address these risk factors in individuals. Generalist community health nurses (GCHNs) are uniquely placed to provide lifestyle interventions as they see clients in their homes over a period of time. The aim of the paper is to examine the impact of a service-level intervention on the risk factor management practices of GCHNs.

METHODS

The trial used a quasi-experimental design involving four generalist community nursing services in NSW, Australia. The services were randomly allocated to either an intervention group or control group. Nurses in the intervention group were provided with training and support in the provision of brief lifestyle assessments and interventions. The control group provided usual care. A sample of 129 GCHNs completed surveys at baseline, 6 and 12 months to examine changes in their practices and levels of confidence related to the management of SNAP risk factors. Six semi-structured interviews and four focus groups were conducted among the intervention group to explore the feasibility of incorporating the intervention into everyday practice.

RESULTS

Nurses in the intervention group became more confident in assessment and intervention over the three time points compared to their control group peers. Nurses in the intervention group reported assessing physical activity, weight and nutrition more frequently, as well as providing more brief interventions for physical activity, weight management and smoking cessation. There was little change in referral rates except for an improvement in weight management related referrals. Nurses' perception of the importance of 'client and system-related' barriers to risk factor management diminished over time.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the intervention was associated with positive changes in self-reported lifestyle risk factor management practices of GCHNs. Barriers to referral remained. The service model needs to be adapted to sustain these changes and enhance referral.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12609001081202.

Why do cancer patients smoke and what can providers do about it?

Despite the widespread dissemination of information about the health risks associated with smoking, many cancer patients continue to smoke, which results in a decreased quality of life, an increased probability of cancer recurrence, and a decreased survival time. Efficacious interventions are available to assist cancer patients to quit smoking, yet smoking cessation interventions are often not implemented. This review describes how clinicians, administrators, insurers, and purchasers can encourage a culture of health care in which tobacco cessation interventions are implemented consistent with evidenced-based standards of care. Implementing efficacious tobacco cessation interventions can reduce morbidity and mortality among cancer patients.

Dissemination of the nurse-administered Tobacco Tactics intervention versus usual care in six Trinity community hospitals: study protocol for a comparative effectiveness trial

Background

The objectives of this smoking cessation study among hospitalized smokers are to: 1) determine provider and patient receptivity, barriers, and facilitators to implementing the nurse-administered, inpatient Tobacco Tactics intervention versus usual care using face-to-face feedback and surveys; 2) compare the effectiveness of the nurse-administered, inpatient Tobacco Tactics intervention versus usual care across hospitals, units, and patient characteristics using thirty-day point prevalence abstinence at thirty days and six months (primary outcome) post-recruitment; and 3) determine the cost-effectiveness of the nurse-administered, inpatient Tobacco Tactics intervention relative to usual care including cost per quitter, cost per life-year saved, and cost per quality-adjusted life-year saved.

Methods/Design

This effectiveness study will be a quasi-experimental design of six Michigan community hospitals of which three will get the nurse-administered Tobacco Tactics intervention and three will provide their usual care. In both the intervention and usual care sites, research assistants will collect data from patients on their smoking habits and related variables while in the hospital and at thirty days and six months post-recruitment. The intervention will be integrated into the experimental sites by a research nurse who will train Master Trainers at each intervention site. The Master Trainers, in turn, will teach the intervention to all staff nurses. Research nurses will also conduct formative evaluation with nurses to identify barriers and facilitators to dissemination.

Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the results of surveys administered to nurses, nurses’ participation rates, smokers’ receipt of specific cessation services, and satisfaction with services. General estimating equation analyses will be used to determine differences between intervention groups on satisfaction and quit rates, respectively, with adjustment for the clustering of patients within hospital units. Regression analyses will test the moderation of the effects of the interventions by patient characteristics. Cost-effectiveness will be assessed by constructing three ratios including cost per quitter, cost per life-year saved, and cost per quality-adjusted life-year saved.

Discussion

Given that nurses represent the largest group of front-line providers, this intervention, if proven effective, has the potential for having a wide reach and thus decrease smoking, morbidity and mortality among inpatient smokers.

Trial registration

Dissemination of Tobacco Tactics for Hospitalized Smokers NCT01309217

Smoking Cessation Rates After a Nurse-Led Inpatient Smoking Cessation Intervention

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of inpatient brief counselling by a smoking cessation nurse compared to usual care (no advice). Methods: The subjects (n = 381, 245 men and 136 women) studied were in-patients, in four Flemish University Hospitals, who were daily smokers. Patients were randomised between 2005 and June 2006. Patients were allocated to an experimental group (EG) or to a control group (CG). Allocation and smoking cessation interventions of patients were stage-matched according to their stage of change as defined by Prochaska and Diclemente. Smoking cessation advice was administered by a qualified smoking cessation nurse. Results: The six-month self-reported continuous abstinence in the EG in 28/178 patients (15.7%) compared to the CG where 14/180 patients were abstinent (7.7%) was significantly better. The effect was most pronounced in the subgroup over 40 years old in the preparation and action stage. In this cohort in the EG, 44% of patients were abstinent at six months compared to 18%in the CG. All patients tended to smoke less after a hospitalisation. Conclusion: The intervention by a smoking cessation nurse during hospitalisation seems effective and is most rewarding in the smokers > 40 years old, and who were well motivated to stop.

Cervical Cancer Screening visit as an Occasion for Counseling Female Smokers to Quit

Aims and Background

In the last decades in Italy, a smaller decrease in smoking among women than in men has been observed and a younger age at start in young women. Nevertheless, gender-specific strategies for smoking cessation have rarely been developed, except those for pregnant women. A study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of carrying out an intervention of primary prevention by counseling for smoking cessation the female smokers attending cervical cancer screening programs in Florence, Italy.

Methods

All female smokers attending the services for cervical cancer prevention at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute in Florence, Italy, between March 2004 and January 2005, who volunteered to participate in the study, received a brief motivational stage-matched counseling for smoking cessation and a face to face interview at enrollment and after 6 and 12 months. The counseling was evaluated by comparing quit rates, changes in smoking intensity, and motivation to quit at the first and second follow-up periods to the same data collected at enrollment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the influence on smoking cessation of demographic characteristics, smoking habit and attitude to quit.

Results

177 women participated in the study. After 1 year, a quit rate of 12.4% (95% CI, 7.5–17.3) was observed. Among those who never quit, there was a 39.3% reduction in the average daily cigarette consumption and a 51.9% reduction in smoking the first cigarette of the day immediately on awaking or just after breakfast.

Conclusions

The results and the opportunity to contact a large number of female smokers on the occasion of cervical cancer screening suggest the importance to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention of primary prevention in this health setting.

How to promote healthy behaviours in patients? An overview of evidence for behaviour change techniques

To identify the evidence for the effectiveness of behaviour change techniques, when used by health-care professionals, in accomplishing health-promoting behaviours in patients. Reviews were used to extract data at a study level. A taxonomy was used to classify behaviour change techniques. We included 23 systematic reviews: 14 on smoking cessation, 6 on physical exercise, and 2 on healthy diets and 1 on both exercise and diets. None of the behaviour change techniques demonstrated clear effects in a convincing majority of the studies in which they were evaluated. Techniques targeting knowledge (n = 210 studies) and facilitation of behaviour (n = 172) were evaluated most frequently. However, self-monitoring of behaviour (positive effects in 56% of the studies), risk communication (52%) and use of social support (50%) were most often identified as effective. Insufficient insight into appropriateness of technique choice and quality of technique delivery hinder precise conclusions. Relatively, however, self-monitoring of behaviour, risk communication and use of social support are most effective. Health professionals should avoid thinking that providing knowledge, materials and professional support will be sufficient for patients to accomplish change and consider alternative strategies which may be more effective.

Consumer-oriented interventions for evidence-based prescribing and medicines use: an overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Numerous systematic reviews exist on interventions to improve consumers' medicines use, but this research is distributed across diseases, populations and settings. The scope and focus of reviews on consumers' medicines use also varies widely. Such differences create challenges for decision makers seeking review-level evidence to inform decisions about medicines use.

OBJECTIVES

To synthesise the evidence from systematic reviews on the effects of interventions which target healthcare consumers to promote evidence-based prescribing for, and medicines use, by consumers. We sought evidence on the effects on health and other outcomes for healthcare consumers, professionals and services.

METHODS

We included systematic reviews published on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects. We identified relevant reviews by handsearching both databases from start date to Issue 3 2008. We screened and ranked reviews based on relevance to consumers' medicines use, using criteria developed for this overview. Standardised forms were used to extract data, and reviews were assessed for methodological quality using the AMSTAR instrument. We used standardised language to summarise results within and across reviews; and a further synthesis step was used to give bottom-line statements about intervention effectiveness. Two review authors selected reviews, extracted and analysed data. We used a taxonomy of interventions to categorise reviews.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 37 reviews (18 Cochrane, 19 non-Cochrane), of varied methodological quality.Reviews assessed interventions with diverse aims including support for behaviour change, risk minimisation, skills acquisition and information provision. No reviews aimed to promote systems-level consumer participation in medicines-related activities. Medicines adherence was the most commonly reported outcome, but others such as clinical (health and wellbeing), service use and knowledge outcomes were also reported. Reviews rarely reported adverse events or harms, and the evidence was sparse for several populations, including children and young people, carers, and people with multimorbidity.Promising interventions to improve adherence and other key medicines use outcomes (eg adverse events, knowledge) included self-monitoring and self-management, simplified dosing and interventions directly involving pharmacists. Other strategies showed promise in relation to adherence but their effects were less consistent. These included reminders; education combined with self-management skills training, counselling or support; financial incentives; and lay health worker interventions.No interventions were effective to improve all medicines use outcomes across all diseases, populations or settings. For some interventions, such as information or education provided alone, the evidence suggests ineffectiveness; for many others there is insufficient evidence to determine effects on medicines use outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Systematically assembling the evidence across reviews allows identification of effective or promising interventions to improve consumers' medicines use, as well as those for which the evidence indicates ineffectiveness or uncertainty.Decision makers faced with implementing interventions to improve consumers' medicines use can use this overview to inform these decisions and also to consider the range of interventions available; while researchers and funders can use this overview to determine where research is needed. However, the limitations of the literature relating to the lack of evidence for important outcomes and specific populations, such as people with multimorbidity, should also be considered.

Health-promoting behaviors of low-income cancer survivors

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to explore the health-promoting (HP) behaviors of low-income cancer survivors before and after their diagnosis of cancer.

DESIGN

This qualitative study used a purposive sampling strategy to identify low-income, ethnically diverse cancer survivors.

SETTING

Participants were recruited from an urban outpatient cancer clinic serving only low-income clients.

SAMPLE

Thirteen, ethnically diverse low-income cancer survivors participated in 60- to 90-minute interviews discussing their experience with HP behaviors before and after their diagnosis with cancer, their cancer experience, and their perspectives on being a cancer survivor.

METHODS

Conventional content analysis of transcripts and field notes by 2 coders identified words, context, frequency, emphasis, and consistency of participants' comments. Statements were further examined to identify patterns and main themes and to interpret the meaning of what was said.

FINDINGS

Participants described their use of various HP behaviors primarily walking, maintaining a positive mental attitude, and changing their diet. Participants discussed their perspectives on having a diagnosis of cancer as well as the meaning of being a cancer survivor. They described spiritual growth through prayer, renewing their faith, maintaining a hopeful outlook, and expressing thankfulness toward God. Participants expressed interested in learning about effective physical exercises, healthy eating, and stress management strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that low-income cancer survivors engage in various HP behaviors and want to learn more behaviors to use after cancer treatment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Findings provide useful information for clinical nurse specialists when providing information about HP behaviors for use during and after cancer treatment as well as the meaning of cancer survivor for low-income cancer survivors.

Medical comorbidities increase motivation to quit smoking among veterans being treated by a psychiatric facility

PURPOSE

This study determined if comorbidities predicted motivation to quit smoking among smokers treated in a primarily psychiatric Veterans Affairs facility.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of smokers (N = 117).

FINDINGS

Multivariate analyses showed a history of arthritis, diabetes, lung disease, or stroke predicted motivation to quit smoking (p < .05). Having a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or cancer was not associated with motivation to quit smoking.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Relating smoking behavior to the patient's medical comorbidities may increase motivation to quit smoking among veterans.

Development of a Web-based tobacco cessation educational program for pediatric nurses and respiratory therapists

BACKGROUND

Nurses can be effective in providing advice and counseling to tobacco-using parents of hospitalized pediatric patients. However, lack of training in effective interventions is a barrier to the incorporation of tobacco cessation interventions into routine practice. This article describes the development and evaluation of a web-based tobacco cessation educational program aimed at pediatric nurses and respiratory therapists.

METHOD

The program was developed with input from four focus groups of nurses, respiratory therapists, and educators. The interactive training program was evaluated by 33 nurses and 17 respiratory therapists employed at a children's hospital.

RESULTS

After completing the program, participants reported a significant change in their knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy toward providing tobacco cessation interventions to their patients' parents.

CONCLUSION

The results of the evaluation of the program were extremely promising, and further investigation is warranted.

The effectiveness of interventions to change six health behaviours: a review of reviews

BACKGROUND

Several World Health Organisation reports over recent years have highlighted the high incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancer. Contributory factors include unhealthy diets, alcohol and tobacco use and sedentary lifestyles. This paper reports the findings of a review of reviews of behavioural change interventions to reduce unhealthy behaviours or promote healthy behaviours. We included six different health-related behaviours in the review: healthy eating, physical exercise, smoking, alcohol misuse, sexual risk taking (in young people) and illicit drug use. We excluded reviews which focussed on pharmacological treatments or those which required intensive treatments (e.g. for drug or alcohol dependency).

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) and several Ovid databases were searched for systematic reviews of interventions for the six behaviours (updated search 2008). Two reviewers applied the inclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the quality of the reviews. The results were discussed in a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

We included 103 reviews published between 1995 and 2008. The focus of interventions varied, but those targeting specific individuals were generally designed to change an existing behaviour (e.g. cigarette smoking, alcohol misuse), whilst those aimed at the general population or groups such as school children were designed to promote positive behaviours (e.g. healthy eating). Almost 50% (n = 48) of the reviews focussed on smoking (either prevention or cessation). Interventions that were most effective across a range of health behaviours included physician advice or individual counselling, and workplace- and school-based activities. Mass media campaigns and legislative interventions also showed small to moderate effects in changing health behaviours.Generally, the evidence related to short-term effects rather than sustained/longer-term impact and there was a relative lack of evidence on how best to address inequalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite limitations of the review of reviews approach, it is encouraging that there are interventions that are effective in achieving behavioural change. Further emphasis in both primary studies and secondary analysis (e.g. systematic reviews) should be placed on assessing the differential effectiveness of interventions across different population subgroups to ensure that health inequalities are addressed.

The importance of tobacco cessation training for nurses in Serbia

BACKGROUND

This study assessed smoking prevalence, attitudes, and perceived patient counseling responsibilities among practicing nurses in Serbia. The need for nurses to receive tobacco cessation training is explored.

METHODS

Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 230 nurses at public institutions in Belgrade, a health care center in Belgrade, and public health care facilities throughout Serbia.

RESULTS

The smoking prevalence was 52% for male nurses and 47% for female nurses. Nurses had the greatest mean level of agreement with statements about controlling smoking through policy, followed by statements about being role models. Only 15% (n = 35) of nurses regularly counseled their patients about smoking, and only 16% of nurses (45% of males vs. 12% of females, p < .0001) had received training in counseling patients about smoking. Nurses' training in counseling patients about smoking was positively associated with the nurses' belief that their counseling could help patients stop smoking or never start smoking. In addition, nurses with training in counseling patients about smoking considered themselves significantly better prepared to assist patients to quit smoking. Nurses who smoked were significantly less likely to believe that their counseling about smoking could be effective. They also felt significantly less well prepared to assist patients to quit smoking.

CONCLUSION

These findings show that nurses' training in tobacco cessation counseling results in greater self-perceived confidence and frequency of regular tobacco cessation counseling in Serbia.

Spanish primary health care nurses who are smokers: this influence on the therapeutic relationship

AIM

To identify the perception of Primary Health Care (PHC) female nurses in the Balearic Islands in Spain who are smokers, regarding the suitability of their anti-smoking therapeutic relationships with their clients. Also, to identify what factors they consider may determine why nurses smoke less in PHC than in specialized care (SC).

BACKGROUND

Backed by the signing of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), a new Anti-Smoking law has been in force in Spain since 2006. This legislation limits the places where tobacco may be consumed. PHC nurses, because of their professional abilities, their number and their direct contact with society on all accounts - both health- and illness-wise - and also because of the proven efficacy of their interventions in the fight against the smoking habit, are called upon to play an important role against the smoking habit in the 21st century.

METHOD

A qualitative study using a semi-structured interview with 15 PHC female nurses who are smokers.

FINDINGS

Regarding the therapeutic relationship, basically two attitudes are adopted: first, blaming themselves and feeling uncomfortable and inadequate to be able to help someone to give up smoking or, second, considering themselves to be in an optimum situation in which to be able to help by sharing their addiction and thereby understanding and empathizing much more with clients. PHC nurses believe they smoke less than SC nurses as a result of a greater degree of awareness.

CONCLUSION

We would suggest that SC nurses should acquire a more relevant role in the fight against the smoking habit. In light of their capacity, commitment and efficacy, we believe there is a case for total autonomy as far as their role as therapists in breaking smoking habits is concerned.

An efficacy trial of brief lifestyle intervention delivered by generalist community nurses (CN SNAP trial)

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle risk factors, in particular smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity (SNAP) are the main behavioural risk factors for chronic disease. Primary health care (PHC) has been shown to be an effective setting to address lifestyle risk factors at the individual level. However much of the focus of research to date has been in general practice. Relatively little attention has been paid to the role of nurses working in the PHC setting. Community health nurses are well placed to provide lifestyle intervention as they often see clients in their own homes over an extended period of time, providing the opportunity to offer intervention and enhance motivation through repeated contacts. The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a brief lifestyle intervention delivered by community nurses in routine practice on changes in clients' SNAP risk factors.

METHODS/DESIGN

The trial uses a quasi-experimental design involving four generalist community nursing services in NSW Australia. Services have been randomly allocated to an 'early intervention' group or 'late intervention' (comparison) group. 'Early intervention' sites are provided with training and support for nurses in identifying and offering brief lifestyle intervention for clients during routine consultations. 'Late intervention site' provide usual care and will be offered the study intervention following the final data collection point. A total of 720 generalist community nursing clients will be recruited at the time of referral from participating sites. Data collection consists of 1) telephone surveys with clients at baseline, three months and six months to examine change in SNAP risk factors and readiness to change 2) nurse survey at baseline, six and 12 months to examine changes in nurse confidence, attitudes and practices in the assessment and management of SNAP risk factors 3) semi-structured interviews/focus with nurses, managers and clients in 'early intervention' sites to explore the feasibility, acceptability and sustainability of the intervention.

DISCUSSION

The study will provide evidence about the effectiveness and feasibility of brief lifestyle interventions delivered by generalist community nurses as part of routine practice. This will inform future community nursing practice and PHC policy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12609001081202.

Women's evaluation of abuse and violence care in general practice: a cluster randomised controlled trial (weave)

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a major public health problem with serious implications for the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of women, particularly women of child-bearing age. It is a common, hidden problem in general practice and has been under-researched in this setting. Opportunities for early intervention and support in primary care need to be investigated given the frequency of contact women have with general practice. Despite the high prevalence and health consequences of abuse, there is insufficient evidence for screening in primary care settings. Furthermore, there is little rigorous evidence to guide general practitioners (GPs) in responding to women identified as experiencing partner abuse. This paper describes the design of a trial of a general practice-based intervention consisting of screening for fear of partner with feedback to GPs, training for GPs, brief counselling for women and minimal practice organisational change. It examines the effect on women's quality of life, mental health and safety behaviours.

METHODS/DESIGN

weave is a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 40 general practices in Victoria, Australia. Approximately 500 women (16-50 years) seen by the GP in the previous year are mailed a short lifestyle survey containing an item to screen for IPA. Women who indicate that they were afraid of a partner/ex-partner in the last year and provide contact details are invited to participate. Once baseline data are collected, GPs are randomly assigned to either a group involving healthy relationship and responding to IPA training plus inviting women for up to 6 sessions of counselling or to a group involving basic education and usual care for women. Outcomes will be evaluated by postal survey at 6 and 12 months following delivery of the intervention. There will be an economic evaluation, and process evaluation involving interviews with women and GPs, to inform understanding about implementation and outcomes.

DISCUSSION

The weave trial responds to an urgent need for more evidence on what can be achieved in primary care with regard to responding to women who experience IPA. It will provide important knowledge about the effectiveness of a brief method of screening, professional IPA training program and brief counselling for women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

[ACTRN12608000032358].

Workplace tobacco cessation program in India: A success story

CONTEXT

This paper describes the follow-up interventions and results of the work place tobacco cessation study.

AIMS

To assess the tobacco quit rates among employees, through self report history, and validate it with rapid urine cotinine test; compare post-intervention KAP regarding tobacco consumption with the pre-intervention responses and assess the tobacco consumption pattern among contract employees and provide assistance to encourage quitting.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This is a cohort study implemented in a chemical industry in rural Maharashtra, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All employees (104) were interviewed and screened for oral neoplasia. Active intervention in the form of awareness lectures, focus group discussions and if needed, pharmacotherapy was offered. Medical staff from the industrial medical unit and from a local referral hospital was trained. Awareness programs were arranged for the family members and contract employees.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Non-parametric statistical techniques and kappa.

RESULTS

Forty eight per cent employees consumed tobacco. The tobacco quit rates increased with each follow-up intervention session and reached 40% at the end of one year. There was 96% agreement between self report tobacco history and results of rapid urine cotinine test. The post-intervention KAP showed considerable improvement over the pre-intervention KAP. 56% of contract employees used tobacco and 55% among them had oral pre-cancerous lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive atmosphere towards tobacco quitting and positive peer pressure assisting each other in tobacco cessation was remarkably noted on the entire industrial campus. A comprehensive model workplace tobacco cessation program has been established, which can be replicated elsewhere.

Modelling innovative interventions for optimising healthy lifestyle promotion in primary health care: "prescribe Vida Saludable" phase I research protocol

BACKGROUND

The adoption of a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, a balanced diet, a moderate alcohol consumption and abstinence from smoking, are associated with large decreases in the incidence and mortality rates for the most common chronic diseases. That is why primary health care (PHC) services are trying, so far with less success than desirable, to promote healthy lifestyles among patients. The objective of this study is to design and model, under a participative collaboration framework between clinicians and researchers, interventions that are feasible and sustainable for the promotion of healthy lifestyles in PHC.

METHODS AND DESIGN

Phase I formative research and a quasi-experimental evaluation of the modelling and planning process will be undertaken in eight primary care centres (PCCs) of the Basque Health Service--OSAKIDETZA, of which four centres will be assigned for convenience to the Intervention Group (the others being Controls). Twelve structured study, discussion and consensus sessions supported by reviews of the literature and relevant documents, will be undertaken throughout 12 months. The first four sessions, including a descriptive strategic needs assessment, will lead to the prioritisation of a health promotion aim in each centre. In the remaining eight sessions, collaborative design of intervention strategies, on the basis of a planning process and pilot trials, will be carried out. The impact of the formative process on the practice of healthy lifestyle promotion, attitude towards health promotion and other factors associated with the optimisation of preventive clinical practice will be assessed, through pre- and post-programme evaluations and comparisons of the indicators measured in professionals from the centres assigned to the Intervention or Control Groups.

DISCUSSION

There are four necessary factors for the outcome to be successful and result in important changes: (1) the commitment of professional and community partners who are involved; (2) their competence for change; (3) the active cooperation and participation of the interdisciplinary partners involved throughout the process of change; and (4) the availability of resources necessary to facilitate the change.

Systematic review of the effectiveness of primary care nursing

This paper reports on a systematic review that sought to answer the research question: What is the impact of the primary and community care nurse on patient health outcomes compared with usual doctor-led care in primary care settings? A range of pertinent text-words with medical subject headings were combined and electronic databases were searched. Because of the volume of published articles, the search was restricted to studies with high-level evidence. Overall, 31 relevant studies were identified and included in the review. We found modest international evidence that nurses in primary care settings can provide effective care and achieve positive health outcomes for patients similar to that provided by doctors. Nurses are effective in care management and achieve good patient compliance. Nurses are also effective in a more diverse range of roles including chronic disease management, illness prevention and health promotion. Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence about primary care nurses' roles and impact on patient health outcomes.

Smoking cessation interventions in cancer care: opportunities for oncology nurses and nurse scientists

Smoking cessation is essential after the diagnosis of cancer to improve clinical outcomes. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a systematic review of research on smoking cessation in the context of cancer care with an emphasis on nursing contributions to the field. Data sources included research reports of smoking cessation interventions conducted in people with cancer. Nineteen primary studies were reviewed. High intensity interventions, targeting multiple behaviors, and/or using a multicomponent intervention that included pharmacotherapy, behavioral counseling, and social support were characteristics of the most successful treatments for tobacco dependence. The majority of interventions were conducted in adults with smoking-related malignancies during acute phases of illness. The most striking finding was that more than one half of the studies tested the efficacy of nurse-delivered interventions. Conceptual and methodological issues that can be improved in future studies include: using theoretical frameworks to specify how the intervention will affect outcomes, ensuring adequate sample sizes, using biochemical verification to monitor smoking outcomes, and using standardized outcome measures of abstinence. Although effective interventions are available for healthy populations, further research is needed to determine if tailored cessation interventions are needed for patients with cancer. To provide optimal quality care it is imperative that delivery of evidence-based smoking cessation interventions be integrated into the cancer treatment trajectory. Multiple barriers, including patient and nurse attitudes toward smoking and lack of knowledge related to tobacco treatment, prevent translating evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment into clinical practice. Further nursing research is needed to address these barriers.

Tabagismo em pacientes internados em um hospital geral

OBJETIVO: Determinar a freqüência do tabagismo em pacientes internados em um hospital geral, e caracterizar o perfil dos fumantes hospitalizados. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliada uma amostra representativa e aleatória de 111 pacientes internados, classificados como não-fumantes, ex-fumantes e fumantes. Nos fumantes foi aplicado o questionário de Fagerström e obtidas medidas de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado. Valores acima de 6 ppm de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado foram considerados significantes para tabagismo recente. RESULTADOS: Dos 111 pacientes, 60 (54%) eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi de 70 anos. Do total, 56 pacientes (51%) nunca fumaram, 36 (32%) eram ex-fumantes e 19 (17%) eram fumantes atuais. Todos os fumantes eram do sexo masculino. Os fumantes tinham menor idade (58 ± 17 anos), em comparação aos não-fumantes (68 ± 14 anos) e ex-fumantes (73 ± 14 anos)-ANOVA: F = 6,57 (p = 0,002). A carga tabágica média dos fumantes foi de 43 anos-maço. A média do escore de Fagerström foi de 5,0. Dos 19 fumantes, 11 (58%) tinham sintomas respiratórios, e 3 tinham sintomas de abstinência. A média de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado dos fumantes foi 5,0 ppm. Oito (42%) dos fumantes tinham níveis de monóxido de carbono no ar expirado acima de 6 ppm. Houve maior prevalência de tabagistas em algumas clinicas: 70% dos fumantes se encontravam em apenas cinco enfermarias. CONCLUSÕES: Em um grande hospital terciário, 17% dos pacientes internados eram fumantes e destes 7% fumaram nas últimas 8 horas. Os fumantes eram pacientes mais jovens do sexo masculino, internados em determinadas clínicas.

Is integration of healthy lifestyle promotion into primary care feasible? Discussion and consensus sessions between clinicians and researchers

BACKGROUND

The adoption of a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, a healthy diet, moderate alcohol consumption and abstinence from smoking, is associated with a major decrease in the incidence of chronic diseases and mortality. Primary health-care (PHC) services therefore attempt, with rather limited success, to promote such lifestyles in their patients. The objective of the present study is to ascertain the perceptions of clinicians and researchers within the Basque Health System of the factors that hinder or facilitate the integration of healthy lifestyle promotion in routine PHC setting.

METHODS

Formative research based on five consensus meetings held by an expert panel of 12 PHC professionals with clinical and research experience in health promotion, supplied with selected bibliographic material. These meetings were recorded, summarized and the provisional findings were returned to participants in order to improve their validity.

RESULTS

The Health Belief Model, the Theory of Planned Action, the Social Learning Theory, "stages of change" models and integrative models were considered the most useful by the expert panel. Effective intervention strategies, such as the "5 A's" strategy (assess, advise, agree, assist and arrange) are also available. However, none of these can be directly implemented or continuously maintained under current PHC conditions. These strategies should therefore be redesigned by adjusting the intervention objectives and contents to the operation of primary care centres and, in turn, altering the organisation of the centres where they are to be implemented.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended to address optimisation of health promotion in PHC from a research perspective in which PHC professionals, researchers and managers of these services cooperate in designing and evaluating innovative programs. Future strategies should adopt a socio-ecological approach in which the health system plays an essential role but which nevertheless complements other individual, cultural and social factors that condition health. These initiatives require an adequate theoretical and methodological framework for designing and evaluating complex interventions.

Helping hospital patients quit: what the evidence supports and what guidelines recommend

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to critically appraise the extent and strength of systematic review evidence for, and guideline recommendations regarding hospital smoking cessation interventions.

METHODS

Systematic reviews of smoking cessation interventions were identified via an electronic search of the Cochrane Library. Meta-analyses from Cochrane reviews were categorised as those that incorporated only studies of hospital based interventions, and those which incorporated interventions which were not hospital based. Smoking cessation guidelines for hospital health professionals were identified via a search of the World Wide Web.

RESULTS

The review found that evidence from meta-analyses restricted to hospital studies was insufficient to evaluate a number of specific intervention strategies and at times conflicted with the findings of meta-analyses without such restrictions. The majority of guidelines recommended the provision of brief advice, counseling, nicotine replacement therapy despite the absence of clear supporting evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Further hospital-based research addressing specific cessation strategies is required. Furthermore, smoking cessation guidelines for hospital based health professionals should more specifically reflect evidence from this setting.

Is provider training effective? Changes in attitudes towards smoking cessation counseling and counseling behaviors of home health care nurses

OBJECTIVE

We prospectively examined whether training home health care nurses is associated with changes in attitudes towards smoking cessation counseling and counseling behaviors.

METHODS

We trained 98 home health care nurses to deliver cessation counseling to their patients. Measures were administered at pre-training, post-training, and 6 months later. This was part of a larger study conducted in Providence, RI, USA (1998-2002).

RESULTS

Compared with pre-training, at post-training, nurses reported significantly higher levels of self-efficacy to counsel, positive outcome expectations, optimism that patients would follow their advice, perceived worth of smoking counseling, perceived importance of quitting smoking, and perceived organizational support. These training effects were maintained 6 months later. Between the end of training and the 6-month follow-up, nurses reported significant increases in their perceived effectiveness to counsel smokers and confidence to encourage behavior change. Compared with pre-training, at 6 months of follow-up, nurses were significantly more likely to ask about smoking status, assess readiness to quit, advise to quit, assist with quitting, and arrange follow-up. Nurses spent significantly more time counseling smokers at 6 months than at pre-training, and were less likely to selectively counsel.

CONCLUSIONS

Brief training facilitates both short- and long-term changes in nurse attitudes and behaviors regarding smoking cessation counseling.

Does additional support by nurses enhance the effect of a brief smoking cessation intervention in people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Smoking cessation is the primary disease modifying intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

SETTING

A Regional Respiratory Centre (RRC) out-patient department in Northern Ireland.

METHODS

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effectiveness of brief advice alone or accompanied by individual nurse support or group support facilitated by nurses. Smoking status was biochemically validated and stage of change, nicotine addiction and dyspnoea were recorded at 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-one cigarette smokers with COPD were enrolled in the study (mean age 61 years, 47 female).

RESULTS

After 12 months cessation rates were not significantly different between groups (p=0.7), but all groups had a significant reduction in their nicotine addiction (p=0.03-0.006). No changes in subjects' motivation or dyspnoea were detected over the 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Patients with COPD were unable to stop smoking regardless of the type of support they received. Harm reduction may be a more appropriate goal than complete cessation for intractable smokers and nurses must evaluate their role in this arena.

Brief Interventions for Tobacco Users: Using the Internet to Train Healthcare Providers

One fifth of Americans smoke; many have no plans to quit. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an effective approach to intervention with precontemplative smokers, yet a substantial number of healthcare practitioners lack training in this approach. Two interactive online tutorials were developed to teach practitioners to deliver brief tobacco cessation interventions grounded in the MI approach. The tutorials emphasized the unique aspects of working with precontemplative smokers, incorporating audio and video examples of best practices, interactive exercises, targeted feedback, and practice opportunities. One hundred and fifty-two healthcare providers-in-training were randomly assigned to use the online tutorials or to read training material that was matched for content. A virtual standardized patient evaluation was given before and after the training. Both groups improved their scores from pre- to posttest; however, the tutorial group scored significantly better than the reading group at posttest. The results of this study demonstrate the promise of interactive online tutorials as an efficient and effective way to deliver clinical education.

Psychosocial interventions for smoking cessation in patients with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Quitting smoking improves prognosis after a cardiac event, but many patients continue to smoke, and improved cessation aids are urgently required.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions such as behavioural therapeutic intervention, telephone support and self-help interventions in helping people with coronary heart disease (CHD) to quit smoking.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (issue 2 2003), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and PSYNDEX were searched from the start of the database to August 2003. Results were supplemented by cross-checking references, and handsearches in selected journals and systematic reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled studies (RCTs) in patients with CHD with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. After initial selection of the studies three trials with methodological flaws (e.g. high drop out) were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Abstinence rates were computed according to an intention to treat analysis if possible, or if not on follow-up results only.

MAIN RESULTS

We found 16 RCTs meeting inclusion criteria. Interventions consist of behavioural therapeutic approaches, telephone support and self-help material and were either focused on smoking cessation alone or addressed several risk factors. The trials mostly included older male patients with CHD, predominantly myocardial infarction. Overall there was a positive effect of interventions on abstinence after 6 to 12 months (odds ratio (OR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25 to 2.22), but substantial heterogeneity between trials. Studies with validated assessment of smoking status at follow-up had lower efficacy (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.11) than non-validated trials (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.93). Studies were clustered by intervention strategy and intensity of the intervention. Clustering reduced heterogeneity, although many trials used more than one type of intervention. The ORs for different strategies were similar (behavioural therapies OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.14; telephone support OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.97; self-help OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.96). More intense interventions showed increased quit rates (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.65) whereas brief interventions did not appear effective (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.22). Two trials had longer term follow-up, and did not show any benefits after 5 years.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial smoking cessation interventions are effective in promoting abstinence at 1 year, provided they are of sufficient duration. Further studies, with longer follow-up, should compare different psychosocial intervention strategies, or the addition of a psychosocial intervention strategy to pharmacological therapy (e.g. nicotine replacement therapy) compared with pharmacological treatment alone.

Nursing interventions for smoking cessation

BACKGROUND

Healthcare professionals, including nurses, frequently advise patients to improve their health by stopping smoking. Such advice may be brief, or part of more intensive interventions.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of nursing-delivered smoking cessation interventions.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group specialized register and CINAHL in July 2007.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized trials of smoking cessation interventions delivered by nurses or health visitors with follow up of at least six months.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors extracted data independently. The main outcome measure was abstinence from smoking after at least six months of follow up. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence for each trial, and biochemically validated rates if available. Where statistically and clinically appropriate, we pooled studies using a Mantel-Haenszel fixed effect model and reported the outcome as a risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Forty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-one studies comparing a nursing intervention to a control or to usual care found the intervention to significantly increase the likelihood of quitting (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.38). There was heterogeneity among the study results, but pooling using a random effects model did not alter the estimate of a statistically significant effect. In a subgroup analysis there was weaker evidence that lower intensity interventions were effective (RR 1.27, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.62). There was limited indirect evidence that interventions were more effective for hospital inpatients with cardiovascular disease than for inpatients with other conditions. Interventions in non-hospitalized patients also showed evidence of benefit. Nine studies comparing different nurse-delivered interventions failed to detect significant benefit from using additional components. Five studies of nurse counselling on smoking cessation during a screening health check, or as part of multifactorial secondary prevention in general practice (not included in the main meta-analysis) found nursing intervention to have less effect under these conditions.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate the potential benefits of smoking cessation advice and/or counselling given by nurses to patients, with reasonable evidence that intervention is effective. The evidence of an effect is weaker when interventions are brief and are provided by nurses whose main role is not health promotion or smoking cessation. The challenge will be to incorporate smoking behaviour monitoring and smoking cessation interventions as part of standard practice, so that all patients are given an opportunity to be asked about their tobacco use and to be given advice and/or counselling to quit along with reinforcement and follow up.

Smoking cessation treatment by Dutch respiratory nurses: reported practice, attitudes and perceived effectiveness

OBJECTIVE

To describe Dutch respiratory nurses' current smoking cessation practices, attitudes and beliefs, and to compare these with a survey from the year 2000, before the national introduction of a protocol for the treatment of nicotine and tobacco addiction (the L-MIS protocol).

METHODS

Questionnaire survey among all 413 registered respiratory nurses in the Netherlands in 2006.

RESULTS

The response rate was 62%. Seventy-seven percent of the respondents reported to have "fairly good" or "good" knowledge of all steps of the L-MIS protocol. Seven out of 10 behavioural techniques for smoking cessation from the protocol were used by more than 94% of the respondents. Seventy-four percent of the respiratory nurses recommended the use of either nicotine replacement therapy (70%) or bupropion (44%). Almost two-thirds (65% of 254) perceived lack of patient's motivation as the most important barrier for smoking cessation treatment; a four-fold increase compared to the year 2000.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that respiratory nurses are compliant with the L-MIS protocol. They offer intensive support and use behavioural techniques for smoking cessation more frequently than evidence-based pharmacological aids for smoking cessation. Perceived lack of patient's motivation forms the most important threat to respiratory nurses' future smoking cessation activities.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

International guidelines acknowledge that respiratory patients have a more urgent need to stop smoking but have more difficulty doing so. They should be offered the most intensive smoking cessation counselling in combination with pharmacotherapy. This kind of counselling may be more feasible for respiratory nurses than for physicians who often lack time. Their efforts could be increased by reimbursing pharmacological aids for smoking cessation and by developing simple tools to systematically assess motivation to quit and psychiatric co-morbidity in smoking patients.

The impact of smoking-cessation intervention by multiple health professionals

BACKGROUND

Smokers have contact with many different types of health professionals. The impact of tobacco intervention by multiple types of heath professionals is not known.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

As part of the 2003 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey, smokers (n=1723) reported on tobacco treatment by medical doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, or other health professionals. This analysis examined: (1) smokers' report of tobacco intervention by different types of healthcare providers, (2) the proportion of smokers who report intervention by multiple provider types, and (3) the relationship between smokers' report of intervention by multiple provider types and readiness to quit, quit attempts, and recent quitting.

RESULTS

Among past-year smokers, 65% had visits with two or more types of health professionals. Among smokers who visited health professionals (n=1523), only 34% reported being asked about smoking by two or more types of professionals. Among current smokers (n=1324), advice or assistance from more than one type of professional was uncommon (26% and 7%, respectively). Being asked about smoking by two or more types of professionals substantially increased the odds of recent quitting (OR=2.37; 95% CI=1.15-4.88). Among current smokers, being advised to quit by two or more types of professionals increased the odds of having made a quit attempt in the past year (OR=2.92; 95% CI=1.56-5.45) or intending to quit in the next 6 months (OR=2.17; 95% CI=1.10-4.29).

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking-cessation interventions by more than one type of health professional have the potential to substantially increase quitting and readiness to quit in the population.

Advancing the science in the measurement of health care quality influenced by nurses

A robust set of quality measures is essential to provide consumers with a vehicleto evaluate nurses' contributions to the care of hospitalized patients, providers, and systems with a set of nursing processes and outcomes to guide quality improvement, and insurers with indicators to reward hospitals for high quality nursing services. The processes employed by the Nursing Care Performance Measures Steering Committee convened by the National Quality Forum (NQF) in 2004 resulted in the endorsement of 15 indicators of health care quality influenced by nurses and contributed to the identification of significant gaps in measurement and priority areas for future research. This critical review of the state of the science related to health care processes and outcomes that reflect nurses' contributions to the quality of care for hospitalized patients is intended to push the boundaries in the measurement of nursing performance. Specific recommendations for future research and measure development are presented.

A randomised controlled trial of a smoking cessation intervention delivered by dental hygienists: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Tobacco use continues to be a global public health problem. Helping patients to quit is part of the preventive role of all health professionals. There is now increasing interest in the role that the dental team can play in helping their patients to quit smoking. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of undertaking a randomised controlled smoking cessation intervention, utilising dental hygienists to deliver tobacco cessation advice to a cohort of periodontal patients.

METHODS

One hundred and eighteen patients who attended consultant clinics in an outpatient dental hospital department (Periodontology) were recruited into a trial. Data were available for 116 participants, 59 intervention and 57 control, and were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The intervention group received smoking cessation advice based on the 5As (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange follow-up) and were offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), whereas the control group received 'usual care'. Outcome measures included self-reported smoking cessation, verified by salivary cotinine measurement and CO measurements. Self-reported measures in those trial participants who did not quit included number and length of quit attempts and reduction in smoking.

RESULTS

At 3 months, 9/59 (15%) of the intervention group had quit compared to 5/57 (9%) of the controls. At 6 months, 6/59 (10%) of the intervention group quit compared to 3/57 (5%) of the controls. At one year, there were 4/59 (7%) intervention quitters, compared to 2/59 (4%) control quitters. In participants who described themselves as smokers, at 3 and 6 months, a statistically higher percentage of intervention participants reported that they had had a quit attempt of at least one week in the preceding 3 months (37% and 47%, for the intervention group respectively, compared with 18% and 16% for the control group).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown the potential that trained dental hygienists could have in delivering smoking cessation advice. While success may be modest, public health gain would indicate that the dental team should participate in this activity. However, to add to the knowledge-base, a multi-centred randomised controlled trial, utilising biochemical verification would be required to be undertaken.

Brief smoking cessation advice from practice nurses during routine cervical smear tests appointments: a cluster randomised controlled trial assessing feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness

The aim of this study is to assess the potential effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of a brief smoking cessation intervention delivered as part of cervical screening. A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted with clinic week as the unit of randomisation, comparing a group (n=121) receiving brief smoking cessation advice supplemented with written information given by practice nurses during cervical smear test appointments, with a group (n=121) not receiving this advice. Outcomes were intention to stop smoking (potential effectiveness); intention to attend for future cervical screening (acceptability); duration of intervention (feasibility). 172/242 (71%) and 153/242 (63%) participants completed 2-week and 10-week follow-ups, respectively. Compared to women in the control group, those in the intervention group had higher intentions to stop smoking at 2-weeks (adjusted mean difference 0.51, 95% CI: -0.02 to 1.03, P=0.06) and 10-weeks (adjusted mean difference 0.80, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.50, P=0.03). The two groups had similarly high intentions to attend for future screening. Consultations in the intervention arm took a mean of 4.98 min (95% CI: 3.69 to 6.27; P<0.001) longer than the control arm. In conclusion, brief smoking cessation advice given by practice nurses as part of cervical screening seems acceptable, feasible and potentially effective. Evidence is lacking on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of this intervention in achieving biochemically validated smoking cessation.

Smoking cessation practices of Dutch general practitioners, cardiologists, and lung physicians

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To assess and compare the smoking cessation practices and smoking behavior of Dutch general practitioners (GPs), cardiologists, and lung physicians.

METHODS

We conducted questionnaire surveys among a random sample of 2000 Dutch GPs, all Dutch cardiologists (N=594), and all Dutch lung physicians (N=375).

RESULTS

In total, 834 GPs (41.7%), 300 cardiologists (50.5%), and 258 lung physicians (68.8%) filled out and returned the questionnaire. The prevalence of current smokers was 8.2% among GPs, 4.3% among cardiologists, and 3.5% among lung physicians. Of the pharmacological aids for smoking cessation, physicians recommended bupropion most frequently, followed by nicotine patches and nicotine gum. More lung physicians recommended the use of these three aids (67.0%, 36.3% and 18.2%, respectively) than GPs (65.7%, 18.7% and 9.8%, respectively), and than cardiologists (31.6%, 19.7% and 13.2%, respectively). A higher proportion of lung physicians (69.3%) had referred at least one smoker to a nurse for smoking cessation treatment than cardiologists (25%), and than GPs (11.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this national survey, one may conclude that the prevalence of current smoking among Dutch physicians is relatively low and has further decreased since 1988. Dutch GPs, cardiologists, and lung physicians mainly use interventions for smoking cessation that are easy to administer and are not very time consuming. Furthermore, more lung physicians than GPs and cardiologists recommend the use of bupropion, nicotine patch, and nicotine gum. When designing interventions for smoking cessation, one should take into account that physicians are often reluctant to provide interventions which demand much time. Therefore, intensive counseling of smokers who want to quit smoking may be more feasible for trained non-physicians, such as nurses.

Nurses' Tobacco-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice in Four Major Cities in China

PURPOSE

To (a) identify Chinese nurses' tobacco-related knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), including perception of competency in smoking-cessation interventions; (b) identify barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation interventions to patients; and (c) assess the learning needs and smoking status of nurses.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing) in China from November to December 2003.

METHODS

2,888 registered nurses working in hospitals affiliated with five university schools of nursing in these cities were invited to complete a questionnaire. An instrument used to assess tobacco-related KAP in Hong Kong was translated into Chinese and pilot tested to ensure reliability and validity.

FINDINGS

2,179 questionnaires were returned and after exclusion of the grossly incomplete questionnaires, 1,690 were included in the present analysis. Only 2% of participants were current and 1% were former smokers; most had not received training for smoking-cessation interventions as part of their nursing education program. Two-thirds recognized smoking as a leading cause of preventable death and that smoking cessation was the most cost effective intervention, but only a third routinely assisted patients' quit attempts. Nurses who received training reported greater competence in providing smoking-cessation intervention, and more frequent practice of cessation interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese nurses had some knowledge about the health effects of tobacco use, but seldom practiced smoking-cessation interventions. Those who had prior training had greater competence and more practice. Including tobacco control, especially smoking cessation, in nursing curricula in China has the potential to save millions of lives.

Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for smoking cessation in patients with coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Quitting smoking improves prognosis after a cardiac event. Therefore smoking cessation is highly recommended for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but many patients continue to smoke, and improved cessation aids are urgently required.

PURPOSE

The objective was to conduct a systematic review of the efficacy of psychosocial interventions to quit smoking in patients with CHD.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched from the start of the database to August 2003. Search terms were coronary or cardio or heart or cvd or chd and smok* and cessation or absti*. Results were supplemented by cross-checking references. More than 2,000 papers were screened in a first step. Eligibility of studies was assessed (by reviewer Jürgen Barth) and reasons for exclusion were coded. Abstinence rates were computed both according to an intention to treat analysis, and based on follow-up results only.

RESULTS

We found 19 randomized controlled trials, comparing a specific psychosocial intervention with "usual care," with a minimum of 6-month follow-up. Interventions consist of behavioral therapeutic approaches, telephone support, and self-help material. The trials mostly included older male patients with CHD, predominantly myocardial infarction. Overall results found a positive effect of interventions on abstinence after 6 to 12 months (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.24-2.21), but substantial heterogeneity between trials. Clustering the trials by type of intervention reduced heterogeneity, although many trials used more than one type of intervention. Trials involving behavioral therapies or telephone contact were little different from self-help techniques (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.28-2.13 for behavioral therapies; OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.26-1.98 for telephone support; OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.10-1.97 for self-help). Treatment intensity was associated with study outcome. More intense interventions showed increased quit rates (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.61-2.35) whereas interventions of low intensity did not appear effective (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.70-1.22). Studies with validated assessment of smoking status at follow-up had lower efficacy than nonvalidated trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking cessation interventions are effective in promoting abstinence up to 1 year, provided they are of sufficient intensity with a minimum length of 1 month. Further studies should compare different psychosocial intervention strategies, or the combination of a psychosocial intervention strategy with nicotine replacement therapy or bupropion compared with nicotine replacement or bupropion alone.

Nursing intervention and smoking cessation: meta-analysis update

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to determine through meta-analysis the effects of nursing-delivered smoking-cessation interventions.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria in this updated meta-analysis. Twenty-six studies compared a nursing intervention with a control or usual care group of adults and found interventions of high and low intensity to modestly increase the odds of quitting (1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.22-1.51). The study results demonstrated heterogeneity; using a random effects model did not make a difference. There was evidence that interventions were most effective for hospital inpatients with cardiovascular disease than for patients with other conditions (odds ratio 2.14, confidence interval 1.39-3.31). Interventions in nonhospitalized adults were beneficial as well; no effect was found for additive intervention components. Counseling during health-screening programs or as part of multifactorial secondary preventions programs was found to be the least effective. The challenge will be to incorporate smoking-cessation interventions into evidence-based nursing practice.