The feasibility of recruiting hospitalized patients with diabetes for a smoking cessation program

The aims of this study were to identify hospitalized smokers with diabetes, assess the severity of their physical condition, and determine their willingness to participate in a postdischarge smoking cessation program. Hospitalized smokers with diabetes were identified through referrals from the Dietetics Department. Smoking status was determined via medical charts, healthcare staff, and patient self-report. Among all patients with diabetes who were identified (n = 314), smoking status was routinely recorded only for those with a primary cardiac diagnosis (41%). Smokers (n = 59) were significantly younger and reported multiple but fewer concomitant diagnoses than nonsmokers. Ninety-one percent of the smokers who were contacted refused to participate in a postdischarge smoking cessation program. We conclude that accurate methods are needed for identifying all smokers to facilitate cessation efforts. The severity and chronicity of the physical condition of hospitalized smokers with diabetes may limit willingness to participate in a postdischarge smoking cessation intervention.