Attitudes and practices of health care providers towards improving adherence to smoking cessation medications in Australia: A descriptive study

Abstract

Issue AddressedAdherence to smoking cessation medications is low and predicts the success of quit attempts. Health care providers (HCPs) role in delivering smoking cessation support is crucial. HCPs support to improve adherence to smoking cessation medication has not been evaluated in Australia. This study describes the attitudes and practices of HCPs in Australia towards adherence to smoking cessation medications (nicotine replacement therapies, varenicline and bupropion) and intervention options.MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 70 HCPs in Australia. Participants were recruited through the social media platforms of professional societies in Australia. Data was collected in the periods between November 2020 and September 2021. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS statistical software version 27.0 and data was presented using proportions and percentages.ResultsThe majority of participants were doctors, nurses and midwives (82.8%). Almost two‐thirds of the participants (68.6%) self‐reported that they provided adequate adherence support to individuals taking smoking cessation medications. The majority of participants (87.1%) identified adherence support service as part of their professional role. Only 11.1% of the participants who did not believe supporting medication adherence to be their role reported providing adherence support. The main perceived barriers to adherence support are lack of skill, knowledge, time and resources. HCPs believed that providing additional counselling and monitoring of adherence can improve adherence rates.ConclusionsIn an online survey conducted in Australia, HCPs indicated multiple barriers to providing adherence support and intervention strategies that should be considered for smoking cessation programs. A higher proportion of participants who perceived adherence support as their professional role reported supporting adherence to smoking cessation medications.So What?Considerations should be given to improve HCPs attitudes and practices towards smoking cessation medications adherence support. Smoking cessation programs should consider the issue of adherence support. Further studies with a larger sample size across a broader range of HCPs are needed to extensively understand adherence service provision among HCPs in Australia.

Healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on smoking cessation intervention in the Northern Cape

“…Additionally, they can provide continued support to prevent relapse (Devonish et al 2022 ). Primary care physicians, dentists, nurses and other health professionals have been involved in smoking cessation interventions in the United States, Europe, Australia, South Africa and other countries (Ayo-Yusuf & Omole 2021 ; Gajendra, McIntosh & Ghosh 2023 ; Mersha et al 2022 ). Several evidence-based guidelines are available to assist health professionals with tobacco cessation interventions (Verbiest et al 2017 ).…”

“…This finding assesses HCPs’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on smoking cessation interventions. Studies published in the United States, France, Australia, Qatar, Nigeria and other countries have provided ample evidence that clinicians’ knowledge and attitudes about various aspects of smoking cessation influence the degree of intervention offered by a particular provider (Almulla, Kouyoumjian & ElNakib 2021; Bold et al 2022 ; Coindard et al 2022 ; Mersha et al 2022 ; Omotowo, Ndibuagu & Ezeoke 2016 ). The same conclusion was reached in a study conducted by Omole, Ayo-Yusuf and Ngobale ( 2014 ) in South Africa.…”