[Views, practices, barriers, and the will to change, when counselling to give up smoking is being given]

Aten Primaria. 2005 Nov;36(8):434-41. doi: 10.1157/13081057.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To get to know the opinions, current practices, perceived barriers and stage of change in respect to the smoking cessation advice (SCA) offered to patients by the different health professionals (HP) from primary care.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Location: Area Sanitaria 9's Health Centers, in Madrid, Spain.

Participants: 480 HPs, including primary care doctors, pediatricians, primary care residents, and nursery staff.

Measurements: Using a self-filled and anonymous questionnaire, we will gather sociodemographic variables and from the HP's office, regarding the attitudes towards tobacco, efficiency beliefs and use of strategies in the advice, and the perceived barriers to give it, as well as the state of change.

Results: 75.2% of the HPs filled the questionnaire (94.2%, 61.1%, 51.6%, and 88% by doctors, nurses, pediatricians, and residents respectively). 72% ask regularly, this rate increasing to 92.4% over tobacco-related diseases. No differences were made between sexes, professional types, tobacco habits, or previous attendance to courses. 85.8% offers tracing and 63.5% give written advices. Nearly 75% of non-smokers are considered social role models, that against only 40% of smokers. The main barriers found were lack of time and low motivation from the patients. 93.5% consider an specific education necessary to give efficient SCA.

Conclusions: Inquiries are made and SCA is given, independently of the smoking habits of the SCA. Likewise, there is a good state of change by the HPs to optimize the treatment of tobacco dependency.

Objetivo: Conocer las opiniones, las prácticas actuales, las barreras percibidas y la predisposición al cambio con respecto al consejo para dejar de fumar (CF) ofertado a los pacientes por los diferentes profesionales sanitarios (PS) de atención primaria.

Diseño: Estudio descriptivo, transversal.

Emplazamiento: Centros de salud del Área Sanitaria 9, de Madrid.

Participantes: Participaron 480 PS, entre médicos de familia, pediatras, residentes de medicina familiar y comunitaria, y enfermería.

Mediciones: Mediante cuestionario autocumplimentado y anónimo se recogen variables sociodemográficas, sobre actitudes, creencias y utilización de estrategias en CF y sobre barreras percibidas para darlo, así como la predisposición al cambio.

Resultados: Contestó al cuestionario el 75,2% (el 94,2, 61,1, 51,6 y 88% de los médicos, enfermeros, pediatras y residentes, respectivamente). El 72% pregunta de manera habitual, con un incremento hasta el 92,4% en las enfermedades relacionadas con el tabaquismo, sin diferencias respecto al sexo, el PS, el hábito tabáquico y la formación previa. El 85,8% ofrece realizar un seguimiento y el 63,5% proporciona consejos escritos. El 75% de los no fumadores se considera modelo social, frente al 40% de los fumadores. Las principales barreras son la falta de tiempo y la baja motivación en los pacientes. El 93,5% cree que es necesaria una formación específica para proporcionar CF.

Conclusiones: Se pregunta y se ofrece CF, independientemente del hábito tabáquico del PS. A pesar de las barreras, hay una adecuada utilización de las estrategias para proporcionar CF. Hay buena predisposición al cambio para optimizar el CF.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Directive Counseling*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Smoking Cessation*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires