Evaluation of a Pharmacist and Nurse Practitioner Smoking Cessation Program

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Interventions
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Tobacco dependence is a major public health concern.
• Effective smoking cessation programs are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality.
• Interprofessional collaboration can enhance patient care outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of a smoking cessation program co-led by pharmacists and nurse practitioners.
• To determine the impact of this interprofessional approach on smoking cessation rates.
• To evaluate secondary outcomes including medication adherence, nicotine dependence, and patient satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month program involving face-to-face counseling sessions with pharmacists and nurse practitioners.
• Primary outcome: smoking cessation point prevalence at 1, 3, and 5 months post-quit.
• Secondary outcomes: medication adherence, nicotine dependence (Fagerstrom test), and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Of 19 participants, 9 (47%) completed the program; 7 of these were smoke-free at study end.
• Point prevalence quit rates at 1, 3, and 5 months were 66%, 77%, and 77%, respectively (among completers).
• Significant reduction in nicotine dependence (4.89 to 0.33, P < .001) and high patient satisfaction reported.

Conclusions:

• A collaborative smoking cessation program involving pharmacists and nurse practitioners is effective.
• This interprofessional model successfully assists patients in achieving sustained smoking cessation.
• The program demonstrated positive results in quit rates, reduced nicotine dependence, and patient satisfaction.