Clinical decision support for tobacco screening and counseling parents of pediatric patients: A qualitative analysis of pediatric emergency department and urgent care professionals

Background

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) embedded into electronic medical records is a best practices approach. However, information is needed on how to incorporate a CDSS to facilitate parental tobacco cessation counseling and reduce child tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) in Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) and Urgent Care (UC) settings. The objective was to explore the barriers and enablers of CDSS use to facilitate child TSE screening and parental tobacco cessation counseling by PED/UC nurses and physicians.

Methods

We conducted 29 semi-structured, focused interviews with nurses (n = 17) and physicians (n = 12) at a children's hospital PED/UC. The interview guide included a brief presentation about the design and components of a prior CDSS tobacco intervention. Participants were asked their opinions about CDSS components and recommendations for adapting and implementing the CDSS tobacco intervention in the PED/UC setting. A thematic framework analysis method was used to code and analyze qualitative data.

Results

Participant mean (± SD) age was 42 (± 10.1) years; the majority were female (82.8%), non-Hispanic white (93.1%), and never tobacco users (86.2%); all were never electronic cigarette users. Four themes emerged: (1) explore optimal timing to complete CDSS screening and counseling during visits; (2) CDSS additional information and feedback needs; (3) perceived enablers to CDSS use, such as the systematic approach; and (4) perceived barriers to CDSS use, such as lack of time and staff.

Conclusions

The CDSS intervention for child TSE screening and parental tobacco cessation during PED/UC visits received endorsements and suggestions for optimal implementation from nurses and physicians.