Effects of post-discharge counseling and medication utilization on short and long-term smoking cessation among hospitalized patients

Strategies for Improving Nurses' Performance Regarding Cardiovascular Patient's Adherence to Treatment Regimen: Content Analysis

Background

Patient adherence to the treatment regimen is an important goal of treatment; finding appropriate strategies to improve treatment adherence is a nursing challenge. This study aimed to explore strategies to improve nurses' performance to enhance cardiovascular patients' adherence to treatment regimens.

Materials and Methods

This is a qualitative content analysis study that was performed in an educational hospital of the Urmia University of Medical Science. Data were collected through semi-structured individual and group interviews. Sixteen individual interviews were conducted with nurses, patients, and physicians. A focus group was conducted with the presence of six nurses and nursing managers. Data were analyzed by conventional content analysis using MAXQDA 2020.

Results

After analyzing the interviews, five strategies were explored; these strategies include: follow-up of the patient after discharge (systemic and organizational follow-up, educational follow-up, counseling follow-up, and motivational follow-up), sending reminders for necessary cases to the patients (risk reminders, care reminders); improving patient education methods (modern and up-to-date education, conventional and routine education), improving support services (home care services, social support, Psychological support), and optimizing the structure and processes of the hospital (making structural changes, making process changes).

Conclusions

Much needs to be done to improve patient's adherence to treatment. Nurses are at the forefront of this work. In this study, we introduced ways to improve nurses' performance in order to increase patient adherence.

Promotion of Smoking Cessation Using the Transtheoretical Model: Short-Term and Long-Term Effectiveness for Workers in Coastal Central Taiwan

Background

Smoking cessation reduces the risk of severe illnesses in the long run and contributes to improving health. This study evaluated the short-term and long-term effectiveness of workplace smoking cessation intervention implemented using the transtheoretical model.

Methods

Participants were assessed at baseline before the intervention and after 6 months and 4 years of follow-ups. Data on changes in participants' perception of smoking prohibition in the workplace, knowledge of the hazards of smoking, attitude towards quitting smoking, and behavior related to tobacco harm prevention were collected.

Results

Results showed the prevalence of smoking cessation was 31.5% (95% CI: 25.4-38.1%) after 6 months and 10.7% (95% CI: 6.9-15.6%) after 4 years. At the abovementioned time points, the prevalence of second-hand smoke exposure, and the proportion of people who demonstrated correct knowledge of smoke hazards initially decreased and then increased. The proportion of participants who had seen or received information about tobacco harm prevention provided in the workplace increased from 75.6% at baseline to 95.6% (increased by 20.0%) after 6 months and finally to 97.2% (increased by 21.6%) after 4 years (P < .001). However, the percentage of participants who hoped their workplace continued to provide smoking cessation services rose from 80.0% at baseline to 93.6% (increased by 13.6%) after 6 months and then fell to 78.0% (decreased by 2.0%) after 4 years (P < .001).

Conclusion

The short-term effectiveness of the transtheoretical model in promoting workplace smoking cessation is substantial, but in the long-term, effectiveness weakens.

Tobacco Treatment Program Models in US Hospitals and Outpatient Centers on Behalf of the SRNT Treatment Network

Because tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of disease, disability, and mortality, tobacco treatment programs should be integrated into medical systems such as hospitals and outpatient centers. Medical providers have a unique, high-impact opportunity to initiate smoking cessation treatment with patients. However, there are several barriers that may hinder the development and implementation of these programs. The purpose of this review was to address such barriers by illustrating several examples of successful tobacco treatment programs in US health-care systems that were contributed by the authors. This includes describing treatment models, billing procedures, and implementation considerations. Using an illustrative review of vignettes from existing programs, various models are outlined, emphasizing commonalities and unique features, strengths and limitations, resources necessary, and other relevant considerations. In addition, clinical research and dissemination trials from each program are described to provide evidence of feasibility and efficacy from these programs. This overview of example treatment models designed for hospitals and outpatient centers provides guidelines for any emerging tobacco cessation services within these contexts. For existing treatment programs, this review provides additional insight and ideas about improving these programs within their respective medical systems.