Targeting pregnant and parental smokers: long-term outcomes of a practice-based intervention

This study aimed to assess the change in obstetric and pediatric provider smoking cessation practices following implementation of a practice guideline-driven office-based program.

This pre-post evaluation took place between May 2003 and August 2006 in 1 pediatric and 1 obstetric hospital-based clinic. The intervention involved provider training combined with office system supports. A total of 1,080 exit interviews were collected to measure outcomes of clinic practices at baseline and at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year (obstetric), and 2 years (pediatric) after implementation. Trend analysis was used to assess change in practice rates over time.

Following program implementation, pediatric provider "Ask" rates increased (49% before to 86% 2 years after, p < .0001); changes in pediatric "Advise" and "Assist" rates were not significant: 44%-59% (p = .19) and 18%-28% (p = .26), respectively. In the obstetric clinic, whereas no significant changes were detected in provider "Ask" (59%-65% 1 year after, p = .17) or "Advise" (72%-85%, p = .27) rates, "Assist" rates rose from 28% to 62% (p = .0075) 1 year after program implementation.

Implementation of the office-based program achieved significantly improved trends in pediatric provider "Ask" rates and obstetric provider "Assist" rates over time. Further research is needed on office strategies to create long-term provider behavior changes in smoking cessation practices.