No abstract

CHOICES is a consumer driven program for addressing tobacco in people with mental illness that employs mental health peer counselors. Since 2005, CHOICES has conducted over 298 community visits reaching more than 10,000 smokers with mental illness (about 2500/year). A telephone based outcome study was conducted in 102 outpatient smokers who received a CHOICES peer-to-peer session. At 1-month follow up participants (N = 86; 84%) reported smoking an average of 13 cigarettes per day which was significantly reduced from a baseline of 19 (P < 0.001). Twenty-five individuals (29%) tried to quit smoking in the month after the peer session and another 47 (55%) reduced their smoking. Feedback from smokers about the program was positive. Most (N = 59, 71%) said it was a lot easier to talk with a consumer about smoking compared to their psychiatrist or staff. Peer-to-peer communication about tobacco use can be effective to increase awareness and change smoking behaviors.

Objective To explore patient experiences of, and preferences for, physical activity after a lung cancer diagnosis. Methods This was a qualitative study involving seven patients who had been treated for lung cancer within the previous 2 years. Participants attended a focus group interview. Conventional content analysis methodology was used to analyse the text by two independent researchers. Results Eight major themes emerged from the data. These were as follows: the influence of past lifestyle and chronic disease; the perceived benefits of physical activity; using physical activity to facilitate return to activities of daily living; the impact of symptoms, capacity and motivation; family and peer support; access to services; health professionals; and enjoyment of different types of physical activity. Patients suggested several factors that could improve their healthcare experience. These include access to exercise professionals particularly after cancer treatment; access to information about physical activity in different formats; supervision from health professionals and peer support; and use of behaviour change strategies to achieve sustainable increases in physical activity. Conclusion Our results should be considered in the improvement of lung cancer care pathways as we strive to implement physical activity services into routine clinical care.