Effects of a systematic approach to tobacco cessation in a community-based practice

Studies suggest that the absence of a systematic approach is a barrier to the provision of tobacco cessation counseling services in clinical practice. A systematic intervention was shown to be feasible and effective at a faculty practice site. Our pilot study examined the feasibility of implementation at a community-based practice and assessed the effect of the tobacco cessation counseling system on our patients' smoking behavior. Systematic assessment (smoking status, "readiness to quit"), brief counseling at each visit, and follow-up (for those ready to quit) were provided by a physician and nurse team. Our results suggest that the office-based tobacco cessation counseling system can work in a community-based practice and is an effective strategy for helping smokers quit and in preparing to quit.