A randomized trial to increase smoking intervention by physicians. Doctors Helping Smokers, Round I

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Medicine
• Smoking Cessation

Background:

• Physician intervention is a key component of smoking cessation programs.
• The effectiveness of different levels of physician support and resources requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of physician training and patient education materials on smoking cessation interventions.
• To assess the effect of physician-initiated smoking cessation discussions on patient quit attempts and success.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 66 physicians across three groups: workshop, materials only, and no assistance.
• Telephone interviews with 89% of 6767 eligible adult patients one year after the intervention.
• Comparison of physician intervention rates and patient-reported quit attempts and cessation.

Main Results:

• Physicians receiving training or materials were more likely to ask patients to stop smoking (54%) compared to the control group (40%).
• Patients who were asked by their physician to stop smoking had higher quit attempt rates (47% vs. 36%) and success rates (13% vs. 9%) one year later.
• Physician intervention group did not significantly correlate with sustained abstinence rates (12-14%).

Conclusions:

• Brief physician training and patient education materials can enhance smoking cessation intervention activities.
• Physician inquiry about smoking status is associated with increased patient quit attempts and successful cessation.
• Further research is needed to identify strategies for improving long-term smoking abstinence.