Nursing approach to tobacco users in primary health care

Abstract

Objective: to understand the experience of nurses in the approach to tobacco users in primary health care services. Method: Qualitative, phenomenological research with 15 nurses who were interviewed between January and March 2017. Their speeches were analyzed and classified into categories. Results: the approach by nurses to tobacco users is performed in an individual and unsystematic manner and in operative groups in accordance with the principles of the cognitive-behavioral therapy. This is a complex approach due to issues related to users themselves and to human, material, and structural resources. The expectations of nurses include supporting smoking cessation and expanding the tobacco use prevention work in educational environments. Final considerations: this study points out that nurses need to use the nursing care systematization in coordination with the recommendations of policies aimed at tobacco use control to perform their role in the promotion, control, and reduction of health complications in tobacco users.

Evidence of validity of the Smoking Cessation Counseling scale - Brazilian version

“…In the literature, there is research that has studied the approach of nurses to tobacco users with the aim of understanding the experience of these professionals in conducting smoking cessation counseling. The studies show that nurses have difficulties in identifying appropriate resources for each audience, referring and applying the resources of the Tobacco Control Program, as well as providing pharmacotherapy for smokers assisted in primary health care centers (6,14,(24)(25)(26) .…”

“…The research cited above shows that these difficulties are explained by the lack of training for professionals, high turnover of professionals in the teams, lack of professionals from other areas and lack of medicines in the health services (6,14,(24)(25)(26) . The nurses also report the need to increase the frequency of training provided by the Ministry of Health, which focuses on the individual approach to smokers through exclusive nursing consultations with smoking patients (6) .…”

“…When approaching smokers, nurses need to use the Nursing Process (NP) as a working tool to ensure good care practices for this clientele. By associating the NP with the individual and collective approach, nurses can maximize the effect of interventions and broaden the range of activities aimed at smokers in Primary Health Care (6) .…”

“…The professional teams working in the NTCP are made up of different professionals, whose activities depend on their category, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and nursing technicians (5)(6) .…”

“…As an integral part of the multidisciplinary team in healthcare facilities, nurses play a crucial role in identifying areas and modalities of action, which in turn contributes to defining and guiding their professional practice. In this scenario, nurses' responsibilities include the prevention, protection, cessation and regulation of tobacco consumption, as well as collaboration in the formulation of public policies and the implementation of tobacco control measures (5)(6) .…”