Implementing a hospital-based smoking cessation programme: evidence for a learning effect.
Tobias Raupach1, Lion Shahab, Karin Neubert
1Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Goettingen, Germany. raupach@med.uni-goettingen.de
Patient Education and Counseling
|November 23, 2007
Summary
This study found that hospital-based smoking cessation programs improve over time. Patients using nicotine replacement therapy for over 5 weeks had better long-term abstinence rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Newly established smoking cessation clinics require evaluation for effectiveness.
- Cognitive-behavioral group programs are a common smoking cessation intervention.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a widely used smoking cessation aid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the continuous abstinence rates of a new hospital-based smoking cessation clinic.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of concomitant nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in this setting.
Main Methods:
- 369 participants in an 8-week cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation program.
- Smoking status assessed via exhaled carbon monoxide and self-report at 6 months post-program.
- Collected demographic data, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scores, and NRT usage.
Main Results:
- Overall 6-month continuous abstinence rate was 29.8%.
- Success rates improved significantly (15% to 35%) in the first year, indicating staff learning.
- NRT use by 51.3% of participants; 58% discontinued within 5 weeks. NRT >5 weeks associated with 50% success.
Conclusions:
- A learning effect in smoking cessation program staff is evident.
- Minimum duration of NRT may be crucial for middle-term abstinence.
- Patients often discontinue NRT prematurely, impacting cessation success.
