Aims: To conduct a preliminary study into the attitudes and current practices of health professionals towards providing tobacco dependence treatment to hospitalized patients.
Methods: A staff survey was distributed within four hospital departments at the University Medical Center Freiburg. Surveys were received from 92 respondents (response rate 28.3%, of them 65.2% nurses and 27.3% doctors).
Results: Most of respondents reported that they 'often' or 'always' ask patients whether they smoke and advise patients to quit, but only 27.5% encourage patients to set a quit date or informed them about medication (21.7%). Few health professionals (14.1%) believed that they were adequately trained to provide tobacco dependence treatment, and knowledge of guidelines for treatment was minimal. Lack of time was cited as a barrier by half of respondents.
Discussion: The results of this small study of health professionals reveal a high level of recognition of the importance of providing tobacco dependence treatment, but that they do not routinely assist patients. Insufficient training was mentioned as the major barrier to provide more effective assistance and should be acknowledged in regular trainings.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.