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Implementing smokeless tobacco instruction into medical student education: addressing the gap
John Spangler1, Kristie Long Foley, Sonia Crandall
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. jspangle@wfubmc.edu
Background:
Despite the unique health and epidemiological aspects of smokeless tobacco use, medical education regarding this topic is virtually lacking.
Description:
The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive tobacco curriculum that includes smokeless tobacco education. A thorough review of the literature was carried out to develop includes 8 modules in basic and clinical sciences that are evaluated by pretest/posttest increases in knowledge as well as standardized patient encounters and process evaluation.
Evaluation:
Pretest/posttest data indicate that students increased knowledge on specific smokeless tobacco questions. Students also scored well on interactions with standardized patients using the Tobacco Intervention Risk Factor Interview Scale, a validated instrument to assess medical students' tobacco counseling skills. Process evaluation data indicate that modules were generally well received.
Conclusions:
This Web-based, comprehensive curriculum-the only curriculum we are aware of treating the topic of smokeless tobacco use-appears to be effective and well received. Smokeless tobacco should be included in medical education.