Smoking cessation interventions by family physicians in Texas

A survey of 1,292 family physicians in Texas indicates that most of them (99%) ask patients about their smoking behavior. Fewer physicians, however, participate in further activities recommended by the National Cancer Institute: arranging follow-up visits, providing self-help materials, prescribing nicotine gum, engaging patients in discussion, referring patients to a program for smoking cessation, and involving other office personnel in counseling. Almost 80% of the respondents cited such obstacles to their involvement in counseling/advising patients as patient attitudes or patient preferences for smoking. The survey was conducted to acquire baseline data on the involvement of family physicians in Texas in counseling their patients who smoke and the obstacles they meet in their efforts.