Development and evaluation of a quitline intervention commenced within an Australian smoke-free residential AOD
Donita Baird1, Catherine Segan2,3, Ron Borland4
1School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Objective:
A novel quitline intervention (counseling plus provision of alternative forms of nicotine) was developed for people using a smoke-free, alcohol and other drug (AOD) withdrawal service. The objectives were: to code the intervention manual for behavior change techniques (BCTs) and to evaluate bespoke training, delivery of counseling provided (quality, number of BCTs) and acceptability.
Methods:
The manual was coded for 29 BCTs. Training outcomes were measured by counselor self-reported confidence. Delivery of counseling was analyzed by independent rating of the quality (maximum 100, all components delivered) and number of BCTs used in all recorded calls (n = 71) for randomly selected clients (n = 30). Acceptability was measured by uptake, clients' acceptability item ratings (n = 37) and recall of counseling content (n = 38) at six weeks post-baseline.
Results:
Coding of the manual identified 25/29 BCTs. Counselor (n = 10) self-reported confidence increased post-training (p = 0.03). High quality calls were delivered with a mean rating of 82.0 (SD13.16) and a mean of 8.50 (SD3.10) BCTs delivered per call. The BCTs assessment, pharmacological support and advising distraction were used frequently. Acceptability of counseling was good, with high uptake (77%; 68/88 clients contacted), counselors were rated as supportive (92%; 34/37), the majority of clients felt encouraged (87%; 32/37) and recalled counseling content for pharmacotherapy (79%; 30/38) and how to manage cravings (76%, 29/38).
Conclusion:
A novel quitline intervention for residents of smoke-free, AOD withdrawal unit was delivered with high quality, had high acceptability, offered continuity of care pre- to post-discharge and facilitated tobacco cessation. Content of skills training to manage cravings, commenced in residence, was recalled by recipients post-discharge to sustain tobacco abstinence.
