Smoking cessation practices amongst doctors at an acute general hospital
| Author(s)
Philip Dingli, Richard Pullicino and Stephen Montefort
| | Presenter(s) |
Dr Philip Dingli Trainee in Acute Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta |
Dr Richard Pullicino Foundation Year 2 Trainee, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta | Abstract Aims:
To study smoking cessation techniques used by doctors at Mater Dei Hospital (MDH)
Methodology:
An online questionnaire was sent to doctors. Results were analysed using SPSS 17.0.
Results:
126 (43.5%) valid responses were submitted. 9.5% were smokers and 9.5% were ex-smokers. With regards to most commonly used techniques 49.2% just tell patients to stop smoking, 20.6% counsel (without pharmacotherapy), 3.2% prescribe pharmacotherapy, 21.4% prescribe pharmacotherapy together with counseling and 5.6% refer to intensive support therapy. The spectrum of techniques used did not change significantly across grades but there was a trend towards higher grades using counseling together with pharmacotherapy more frequently. The most commonly used medication in pharmacotherapy was varenicline (87.1%). 47% knew how to refer to intensive therapy. Varenicline in conjunction with referral to intensive support was perceived as the most effective technique. Over 40% of doctors did not feel confident in the use of pharmacotherapy, confidence was lowest in the use of combination NRT.
Conclusion:
Smoking Cessation techniques used vary greatly from those recommended by NICE guidelines. This may stem from lack of confidence in the use of pharmacotherapy and poor knowledge about how to refer to intensive support.
| Source of funding: None
| Declaration of interest: None
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