Use of Smoking Cessation Interventions by Physicians in Argentina

Abstract

Background Physician-implemented interventions for smoking cessation are effective but infrequently used. We evaluated smoking cessation practices among physicians in Argentina. Methods A self-administered survey of physicians from six clinical systems asked about smoking cessation counselling practices, barriers to tobacco use counselling and perceived quality of training received in smoking cessation practices. Results Of 254 physicians, 52.3% were women, 11.8% were current smokers and 52% never smoked. Perceived quality of training in tobacco cessation counselling was rated as very good or good by 41.8% and as poor/very poor by 58.2%. Most physicians (90%) reported asking and recording smoking status, 89% advised patients to quit smoking but only 37% asked them to set a quit date and 44% prescribed medications. Multivariate analyses showed that Physicians’ perceived quality of their training in smoking cessation methods was associated with greater use of evidence-based cessation interventions. (OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 2.2–19.1); motivating patients to quit (OR: 7.9 CI 3.44–18.5), assisting patients to quit (OR = 9.9; 95% CI = 4.0–24.2) prescribing medications (OR = 9.6; 95% CI = 3.5–26.7), and setting up follow-up (OR = 13.0; 95% CI = 4.4–38.5). Conclusions Perceived quality of training in smoking cessation was associated with using evidence-based interventions and among physicians from Argentina. Medical training programs should enhance the quality of this curriculum.

Good practice regarding smoking cessation management in Spain: Challenges and opportunities for primary care physicians and nurses

“…With respect to our environment, in 2005 we had already reported lack of time, low patient motivation, and the need for specific training 26 . In 2016, in Argentina 20 lack of time and training were also described as the main barriers. Some authors 21 additionally mentioned scarcity of resources and insufficient institutional support, data that were confirmed in Holland where different medical specialities are included in smoking cessation programmes 27 .…”

“…In a study performed in Argentina with 254 physicians it was observed that 90% asked about tobacco consumption and 44% prescribed pharmacologic treatment, both practices related to the training received (OR=6.5; 95% CI: 2.2-19.1) 20 . A finding that was also evaluated among 456 PC professionals in Jordan, which showed that 51.4% asked about smoking and 50.5% advised cessation.…”

Estudio de corte transversal sobre el estado de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de médicos colombianos ante el tabaquismo

“…Finalmente, se encontró que el 98.38% considera que se debe realizar educación médica continua en tabaquismo, similar a los hallazgos en otras encuestas que evalúan la necesidad de capacitación por parte del personal de salud y que revelan que más del 90% están de acuerdo con la implementación de este tipo de temas académicos (17,22,35,36); sin embargo, en Kirguistan solo el 63% de los médicos piensa que se requiere más información (37); lo cual se encuentra sustentado en que el entrenamiento a los profesionales de la salud aumentaba la asesoría con la estrategia de las 5As, sobre todo en brindar ayuda, donde el 79.1% de los médicos familiares que tenía entrenamiento en tabaquismo realizaba asesoría a los padres de niños con enfermedades respiratorias y cerca 85% de los profesionales de la salud a nivel de urgencias ofrecían ayuda y asesoría (29,38), cifra que concuerda con el hallazgo de Kats et al, que solo el 5.7% de las enfermeras y el 5.1% realizaba esta intervención antes del entrenamiento, comparado con los datos posteriores donde el 22.5% de las enfermeras y el 18.4% de los médicos realizó la intervención (39).…”

Effectiveness of an Intervention to Teach Physicians How to Assist Patients to Quit Smoking in Argentina

“…However, all participating physicians were highly motivated to learn smoking cessation expertise and this may have contributed to a null effect. 28 Another reason that may have led to a null result of the intervention is a possible ceiling effect due to the sample selection of physicians. Half of the participants had received training in tobacco cessation, 70% of them worked in clinical systems that were centers of excellence in health care with academic institutions and some prior experience with smoking cessation programs, and their smoking prevalence was lower than the previously reported rates for Argentine physicians.…”