Changing clinical practice, helping people quit: the Wisconsin Cessation Outreach model

Six University of Wisconsin-Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) Regional Outreach Specialists, based in 5 regions across the state, provide training and technical assistance on evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions to clinics, hospitals, health systems, insurers, community organizations and worksites through academic detailing methods. The core of this approach involves individualized training on the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline, "Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence" as well as follow-up technical assistance to achieve sustainable system changes and a reduction in barriers to tobacco cessation services. The program's scope includes health systems, managed care organizations, hospitals, worksites, and community organizations. The program also links organizations and the communities they serve to the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line and related cessation services. Since 2001, over 10,000 health care providers in over 500 clinics and 26 health systems and managed care organizations have received Guideline-based cessation training through the Outreach program. This paper examines research supporting this Cessation Outreach Model, describes its operation, discusses key outcomes, and reviews future directions and applications.