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General practice patients--their readiness to quit smoking
Nicholas Zwar1, Robyn L Richmond, Mark Harris
1School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales. nicholas.zwar@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
General practice patients show higher smoking rates than the community. Most smokers are contemplating or preparing to quit and willing to discuss smoking cessation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- General Practice
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Examines smoking prevalence in general practice patients.
- Assesses patient readiness to quit smoking.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine smoking status and cessation readiness among general practice patients.
- Identify patient willingness to engage in smoking cessation discussions.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive study of 1069 patients aged 16+ in metropolitan Sydney general practices.
- Survey assessed smoking status and, for smokers, stage of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation).
Main Results:
- 35% of patients were current smokers (40% men, 33% women).
- Smokers were in precontemplation (36.5%), contemplation (42%), or preparation (21%).
- Majority in preparation (67%) and contemplation (53%) were willing to discuss cessation; only 16% in precontemplation were willing.
Conclusions:
- Smoking rates are elevated in general practice settings compared to community samples.
- Most general practice patients who smoke are in contemplation or preparation stages for quitting.
- A significant majority of smokers in these stages are receptive to smoking cessation advice.
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