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A strategy for involving general practitioners in smoking control
R Mullins1, P Livingston, R Borland
1Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, Carlton. robyn@accv.org.au
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
|July 1, 1999
Summary
General practitioners (GPs) increased smoking cessation advice to patients. While recalled advice rose by 10%, nearly half of smokers received no or inappropriate guidance, highlighting a need for improved interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The Victorian Smoking and Health Program initiated a GP-based intervention in 1991 to aid smoking cessation.
- This strategy aimed for convenient and cost-effective integration into routine patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in the frequency of GPs advising patients not to smoke over time.
- To assess the impact of the intervention on GP-led smoking cessation support.
Main Methods:
- Population-based surveys of adult smokers in Victoria were conducted in 1990, 1992, 1994, and 1996.
- Data collected focused on patient recall of discussions with their General Practitioners (GPs) about smoking.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase was observed in smokers reporting GP advice or assistance for smoking cessation (chi 2 = 17.58, p < 0.001).
- By 1996, 9% of smokers reported their GP advised them to contact Quit (a smoking cessation support service).
Conclusions:
- Recalled GP advice and information provision for smoking cessation increased by 10% over six years.
- Despite improvements, nearly half of smokers reported receiving inappropriate or no advice, indicating a gap in effective intervention.
- Brief GP interventions, complemented by referrals, show potential for aiding significant numbers of smokers to quit.