Students' Attitudes Towards Patient Smoking Status During Enrollment in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

The harmful effects of nicotine products are well documented, especially cigarettes. Due to the addictive nature of nicotine, it is often difficult for people who smoke to quit. This study was performed to assess the attitudes of healthcare students regarding enrollment of patients who smoke into a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Public colleges and universities in Texas offering health professions programs were asked to participate if they offered a baccalaureate degree and student enrollment was >5,000. Results were obtained from 114 participants, the majority of whom were from the fields of respiratory therapy and physical therapy. The results revealed that older student participants, >37 yrs old, were less likely to agree to allow a patient who smokes to enroll in a pulmonary rehabilitation program when compared to younger student participants. Students who were more likely to allow patients who smoke to enroll in a pulmonary rehabilitation program were 18- to 22-yr-old women. Females were more likely to agree/strongly agree with allowing a patient who smokes to enroll in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. There was little difference in the attitudes of students who had any history vs no history of smoking.