Chinese physicians and their smoking knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Tobacco Control
• Medical Education

Background:

• China has the world's largest smoking population.
• Physicians are vital for smoking cessation interventions.
• Limited data exists on Chinese physicians' smoking habits and cessation practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess smoking prevalence, attitudes, knowledge, and cessation practices among Chinese physicians.
• To identify factors associated with physicians asking about or advising against smoking.

Main Methods:

• A 2004 clustered randomized survey of 3552 hospital-based physicians across six Chinese cities.
• Data collection on smoking attitudes, knowledge, personal behavior, and patient cessation practices.
• Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis conducted in 2005-2006.

Main Results:

• Physician smoking prevalence was 23% (41% male, 1% female).
• Low implementation of smoke-free workplace policies (30%) and patient counseling (48% ask, 64% advise).
• Knowledge gaps exist regarding smoking's link to heart disease; cessation support is minimal (<7% use quit dates/pharmacotherapy).

Conclusions:

• Urgent need to increase physician smoking cessation programs and education on cessation techniques.
• Strengthening physician counseling skills can improve patient quit rates.
• Addressing physician smoking and enhancing cessation support can reduce the global health burden of smoking.