Trainee doctors and initiatives to improve inpatient smoking cessation
| Author(s)
Jiliu Pan, Alfie Abbott, Nicholas Yau, Charlotte Wood and Robert Fowler
| | Presenter(s) |
Dr Jiliu Pan Doctor, Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Romford |
Dr Robert Fowler Smoking Cessation Lead, Retired Consultant Respiratory Physician, Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Romford | Abstract The compelling evidence for the efficacy of pharmacotherapy and counselling has propelled smoking cessation from a preventative public health issue into a cost-effective treatment option in secondary care settings. The only problem is that many clinicians are not aware.
We set out to improve inpatient smoking cessation at a large NHS trust by working together with senior clinicians, stop smoking advisors, pharmacists, and other health care staff. Performance was measured using a questionnaire asking patients if they had been asked, advised and offered support to stop smoking during their admission.
Baseline audits showed poor performance in all areas, but especially in offering stop smoking support. We designed novel protocols, simplified referral forms and delivered teaching sessions to colleagues. Results show significant improvements, but also scope for continuing progress. We make recommendations to further develop inpatient stop smoking services such as using carboxyhaemoglobin levels from blood gas results to help identify smokers.
Trainee doctors working at the frontline form a crucial interface between policy and implementation and their involvement in smoking cessation can provide unique ideas and solutions. Encouraging them to play active roles in smoking cessation has far-reaching potential.
| Presenter biography Rob Fowler, recently retired as consultant respiratory physician from a large NHS Trust in outer East London, is now working in the area of smoke free strategy. His main achievements as a respiratory physician were in the development and support of community respiratory services. His current role involves changing attitudes and behaviour of both clinical and non-clinical staff towards one of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century.
Alfie Abbott, Jiliu Pan, Charlotte Wood and Nicholas Yau are foundation doctors who are committed to quality improvement in the area of smoking cessation.
| Source of funding: None
| Declaration of interest: None
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