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Smoke-free policy and inpatient smoking care in Australian mental health services
Paula Wye, PhD Candidate, University of Newcastle,
New South Wales, Australia
Abstract
Background: Prior to introducing a Smoke Free Workplace Policy within a major psychiatric hospital in New South Wales, Australia, a survey was developed to measure the attitudes, skills and knowledge of mental health care staff towards the policy and smoking care for psychiatric patients.
Method:
All staff were invited to complete the survey.
Results:
Of the 340 staff available, 183 (54%) responded, representing 86 (42%) clinical staff, and 97 (71%) non-clinical staff. Two thirds (66%) of respondents indicated support for a total smoking ban. 74% of clinical staff thought the provision of smoking care should be an integral function of their unit. However, only 17% reported receiving formal training specifically on smoking care and 41% of clinical staff stated they did not feel competent to provide NRT. 74% of clinical staff reported they thought patients would continue to smoke after the ban was in place, and 86% reported they were fearful of patient aggression.
Conclusions:
Despite a majority of staff supporting the Smoke Free Workplace Policy, significant numbers of clinical staff reported concerns regarding their knowledge and skills in providing smoking care to psychiatric patients. Additional training and support is required for clinicians to provide smoking care for psychiatric patients.
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About the presenter
In the final year of her Clinical PhD in Health Psychology, Paula Wye’s research topic is smoking care in mental health services in NSW, Australia. The project has included a statewide survey of smoking care in all public mental health services in NSW, and pre-post surveys of staff attitudes, knowledge and skills, as well as pre-post retrospective audits of medical records to determine levels of documentation of smoking care. Paula has also worked as a psychologist in a dual diagnosis unit that offers psycho-education and counselling to inpatients and outpatients with mental health and substance use problems.
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