Tobacco Treatment Knowledge and Practices Among US Psychiatrists

This study explores the extent to which psychiatrists are familiar with, and utilize, the USPHS guidelines for treating tobacco use and dependence (i.e., the 5A's), deliver cessation treatment, and the barriers they perceive to doing so. An original, national survey of 141 psychiatrists revealed that most Ask patients if they smoke (81.6%). Fewer Advise them to stop (78.7%) and Assess their willingness to quit (73.6%). A minority Assist with a quit plan (15.9%) and Arrange for follow-up (26.4%). Just 11.9% have used the USPHS guidelines in clinical practice; 37% have never heard of them. Even among those who say they have used the USPHS guidelines, implementation of the 5A's is quite low. Time-related factors were the most common barriers to cessation delivery (51.4%). Patient factors (30%) and financial/resource factors (25%) were less common. There is a strong need for increased implementation of clinical guidelines for evidence-based tobacco treatments among psychiatrists.