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Increasing physician screening and counseling for passive smoking
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson 85719.
The Journal of Family Practice
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Physicians showed low rates of screening and counseling parents about secondhand smoke exposure in children. A simple intervention significantly increased these physician activities, improving child health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Smoking Cessation
Background:
- Secondhand smoke exposure poses significant health risks to children, including respiratory infections and otitis media.
- Physician visits for childhood illnesses present a critical opportunity to address passive smoking.
- Current physician practices regarding screening and counseling for passive smoking are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a two-part intervention aimed at increasing physician screening and counseling on passive smoking.
- To assess physician practices concerning passive smoking before and after the intervention.
Main Methods:
- A pre- and post-intervention study design was employed.
- Data collection involved chart audits and post-visit parental surveys.
- The intervention included an educational seminar for physicians and a chart reminder system.
Main Results:
- Parental surveys indicated a significant increase in physician screening (17% to 32%) and counseling (19% to 46%) regarding passive smoking post-intervention.
- However, chart documentation showed minimal improvement in recording these activities (screening 2% to 6%, counseling 4% to 6%).
Conclusions:
- Physician engagement in screening and counseling parents about passive smoking is initially low during pediatric acute illness visits.
- A straightforward, two-part intervention effectively enhanced physician screening and counseling activities in this clinical setting.