Implementation of a workplace intervention providing personalised treatment recommendations for smoking cessation: a case study
Su Wang, Group Head of Heath, Royal Mail, London, UK

Abstract

Background:
Smoking impacts employers through lower employee productivity, higher absenteeism and higher insurance costs.

Methods:
On-site at a data entry centre, we implemented an innovative workplace intervention to guide NHS pharmacist prescribing according to internet-based questionnaire data and metabolic profile assessed by the genetic analysis of a fingerprick blood sample. Smoking status was validated by exhaled CO. Quit rates were calculated as validated quitters/[all those included and lost to follow-up].

Results:
25/30 employees (83%) received personalised treatment reports (PTRs). Of these, 18 (72%) took medication in accordance with the PTR (4% low, 48% standard, 40% dual-therapy NRT; 8% bupropion), 5 (20%) deviated from the PTR and 2 (8%) chose not to collect medication. Median (range) age 39 (20,60) years, 34% male. Median (range) Fagerstrom score 5 (0,10), 22 (2,44) years smoking with 5 (0,15) previous quit attempts. 47% co-resided with another smoker. 73% engaged with online cognitive behavioural therapy. 10/15 employees (67% [95% CI 43%, 91%] were PTR-led validated quitters at week 1 and 13/15 (87% [95%CI 70,104]) at week 4.

Conclusions:
Personalised treatment approaches have potential in providing a high-reach, low-cost means to implement workplace no-smoking policies and reduce economic burdens on employers through improving smoking cessation outcomes.

Conflict of interest:
Dr Lisa Miles is Technical Projects Manager for g-Nostics Ltd. which has a commercial interest in NicoTest.

Sian Retallick is a community-based pharmacist and has no conflict of interest relating to this study. Dr Su Wang is Head of Health for Royal Mail Group. She has no conflict of interest relating to
this study.

Funding:
g-Nostics Ltd. was the funder of the study. This study received full UK-wide Ethics approval and local Research Governance approval from the UK National Health Service.