Reaching out, inviting back - Using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology to recycle low income relapsed smokers back to treatment – a randomized control trial
Author(s)
Beatriz H Carlini, PhD MPH, Anna McDaniel, PhD RN FAAN, Barbara Cerutti, BA, Ross Kauffman PhD, Michael Weaver, PhD, Renée Stratton, MS and Susan Zbikowski, PhD
Presenter(s)
Beatriz H Carlini Research Scientist, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, USA
Abstract
Tobacco dependence is a chronic relapsing condition that typically requires multiple quit attempts and extended treatment including behavioural counselling and pharmacotherapy. Unfortunately, tobacco cessation treatment is rarely designed to address the chronic nature of tobacco dependence.
We will present results of a randomized control trial testing the efficacy of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) in recycling smokers who used telephone-based support (Quitline) in the past in a new Quitline supported quit attempt. Our results show that when proactively invited to come back to treatment, relapsed smokers are 4.1 times more likely to re-enrol in smoking cessation support than those not invited.
Results did not vary significantly by gender, race, ethnicity or level of education, but recycled smokers tended to be older than smokers that declined a new treatment cycle. The main barriers reported for not engaging in a new treatment cycle were low self-efficacy and lack of interest in quitting. After delivering IVR messages targeting these perceived barriers, 37.2% of the smokers reporting low self efficacy and 7.9% of those reporting lack of interest in quitting decided to re-engage in a new treatment cycle with the Quitline. IVR is a promising tool in reaching out to relapsed smokers.
