Therapeutic Radiographers' perceptions of the barriers and enablers to effective smoking cessation support

Tobacco smoking during and post radiotherapy is associated with increased treatment toxicity and increased cancer related mortality. Routine delivery of smoking cessation advice is inconsistent in practice. This study identifies the key barriers and facilitators to the provision of effective smoking cessation conversations in radiotherapy practice.

A baseline questionnaire (n = 43) was used to identify current practice, barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation in radiotherapy and to inform a topic guide for follow up focus groups (n = 5). Ethical approval was obtained through the 4 NHS trusts and the Health Research Authority. Focus group transcription was coded by two researchers.

Therapeutic Radiographers initiate health behaviour conversations with patients; there are a number of factors that facilitate the likelihood of a health behaviour conversation; indication that a patient smokes anatomical site and presence of acute effects. Key barriers to smoking cessation provision include; lack of training, limited knowledge, limitations as a result of poor clinical infrastructure, local culture and perceptions that patients do not prioritise smoking cessation during treatment.

Therapeutic Radiographers have the motivation to provide smoking cessation advice, however they require further training to develop knowledge and skills in relation to benefits of smoking cessation and cessation strategies. Therapeutic Radiographers also expect that patients will respond negatively to smoking cessation advice, and that this might be damaging to the therapeutic relationship. Departmental culture and trust infrastructure can also significantly inhibit the provision of smoking cessation in radiotherapy practice and further support to implement NICE guidance is required.