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. 2023 Jun 16;23(1):645.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09657-4.

A survey exploring the practices of smoking cessation support among hospital-based healthcare providers

Ingeborg Farver-Vestergaard  1   2 , Peter Hjorth  3   4 , Charlotta Pisinger  5   6   7 , Pia Veldt Larsen  8 , Anders Løkke  9   3
Affiliations

A survey exploring the practices of smoking cessation support among hospital-based healthcare providers

Ingeborg Farver-Vestergaard et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

Abstract

Background: Hospital visits constitute a 'window of opportunity' for initiating smoking cessation attempts, and healthcare providers (HCPs) play an important role in supporting patients to stop smoking. Yet, the current practices of supporting smoking cessation in the hospital setting are largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore practices of smoking cessation support among hospital-based HCPs.

Methods: HCPs working in a large hospital in the secondary care sector completed an online, cross-sectional survey, including sociodemographic and work-related factors as well as 21 questions assessing practices of smoking cessation support based on the "five As" framework. Descriptive statistics were computed, and predictors of HCPs giving patients advice to stop smoking were explored using logistic regression analysis.

Results: All employees (N = 3998) in the hospital received a survey link; 1645 (41.1%) HCPs with daily patient contact completed the survey. Smoking cessation support in the hospital setting was limited with regard to assessment of smoking; providing information and advice; planning and referral for further support; and follow-up on smoking cessation attempts. Almost half (44.8%) of participating HCPs with daily patient contact never or rarely advise their patients to stop smoking. Physicians were more likely than nurses to advice patients to stop smoking, and HCPs in outpatient clinics were more likely to give advice than inpatient clinic HCPs.

Conclusion: Smoking cessation support is very limited in the hospital-based healthcare setting. This is problematic, as hospital visits can be windows of opportunity to help patients change their health behaviour. An intensified focus on the implementation of hospital-based smoking cessation support is needed.

Keywords: Change management; Health and safety; Organisation of health services; Public health; Quality in health care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Healthcare providers’ responses to items related to the assessment of smoking
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Healthcare providers’ responses to items related to information and advice about smoking
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Healthcare providers’ responses to items related to planning and referral to further support for smoking cessation
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Healthcare providers’ responses to items related to follow-up on smoking cessation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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