Results of a smoking cessation clinic in community pharmacy practice

Abstract

Objectives: To describe and assess the effectiveness of a smoking cessation clinic.

Design: Single group, unblinded study.

Setting: Seven chain (mass-merchandise) community pharmacies in Virginia.

Participants: Forty-eight patients who were smokers when admitted to the study.

Interventions: Fifteen community chain pharmacists were trained using a smoking cessation training manual developed at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. From April 1, 1997, through December 31, 1999, interested patients met individually with a study pharmacist during scheduled clinic times in semiprivate counseling areas. A patient chart was maintained at the site and updated after each visit. The first 30 patients completed a questionnaire after the third visit to the smoking cessation clinic to assess satisfaction with pharmacists and the overall program.

Main outcome measure: Rate of long-term smoking cessation.

Results: Of the 48 patients, 12 (25.0%) abstained from smoking cigarettes for 12 months or more beyond their predetermined quit dates. Abstinence rates for 1, 3, and 6 months were 43.8%, 31.3%, and 25.0%, respectively. Women were nearly five times more successful in attaining long-term abstinence than were men (33.3% versus 6.7%; P= .047). No significant differences were observed in cessation rates related to age, number of cigarettes smoked per day, level of nicotine dependence, number of previous quit attempts, or method of cessation. Increased appetite and weight gain were the most frequently reported withdrawal symptoms (16.7% of patients). Patients expressed satisfaction with the pharmacists and the smoking cessation program.

Conclusion: Compared with other types of previously reported interventions, a community pharmacist-managed smoking cessation clinic achieved greater long-term smoking cessation rates.