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FALL 2007 |
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H
E A L T H P R O M O T I O N
Physicians are
an important link to help smokers quit
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Stock Photo |
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A recent report from
researchers at Health Canada suggests that health care providers are
missing opportunities to offer cessation support to patients.
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By NLMA Staff |
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A recent report from researchers at
Health Canada suggests that health care providers are missing
opportunities to offer cessation support to patients. In 2005, the
Canadian Tobacco Usage Monitoring Survey included questions about
cessation advice received from various healthcare providers. The
results indicate that the majority of smokers (88%) reported seeing
at least one health care provider in the 12 months prior to the
survey. However, only half of these smokers were advised to reduce
or quit smoking. Of these visits to healthcare providers, 73% of
current smokers reported visiting a physician in the preceding 12
months and only half of these smokers (51%) said that the issue of
smoking was addressed with their physician.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the success
of the Smokers’ Helpline Physicians’ CARE Fax Referral Program is
evidence that physicians are taking an active role in helping smokers.
High referral rates among physicians indicate that this useful tool is
being utilized to quickly link smokers to cessation advice. The Smokers’
Helpline service can double an individual’s success in quitting, and
using a nicotine replacement therapy in addition to receiving Helpline
support maximizes quit rates. Other brief interventions found to be
effective include offering a pamphlet, providing brief cessation tips,
and following up with patients who are trying to quit.
As the majority of smokers see the doctor
on a regular basis, physicians have a key opportunity to reach smokers
and to link them with effective resources to quit. In addition, studies
report that smokers are three times more likely to make a quit attempt
if their health provider recommends it. When all physicians ask all
patients about smoking status and offer some brief support, potentially
many smokers will receive help to live tobacco-free.
For more information about the Physicians’
CARE Fax Referral Program and to receive free resources to help
patients, call the Smokers’ Helpline at (800) 363-5864.
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