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This planning project sought to collect baseline information
for a formal evaluation study of implementing systematic changes
in pediatric practices. Key issues addressed in the study
were: the extent to which education directed at pediatricians
on smoker identification and brief smoking cessation interventions
result in changes in providers’ behavior with parents
who smoke; whether provider access to a formal clinical pathway
on smoking cessation for parents that smoke will increase
provider identification and counseling of parents who smoke;
and whether a computerized telephone system can be used in
the clinical setting to promote identification and counseling
of parental smokers.
A needs assessment was conducted to identify
current physician practices pertaining to parental smoking,
and a focus group was held to obtain information about specific
barriers to advising smoking parents to quit. A key finding
was that pediatricians lacked current information about available
cessation resources to give to the parents who smoke, and
that such information would be a valuable tool for pediatricians.
Educational interventions and tools were developed based on
needs assessment findings. While participation in the educational
session was limited, the referral list, patient education
materials, and clinical pathway were well received
A computerized telephone survey was also conducted to monitor
the rate at which parents were approached by pediatricians
regarding tobacco use and cessation. Nine hundred thirty-two
homes were called; 224 homes were successfully reached, and
84% of those who were successfully reached agreed to participate
in the survey. Of those responding, 70% stated that the pediatrician
asked about parental smoking, 46% stated that they were advised
to quit by the pediatrician, and 32% were assisted in quitting
by the physician.
The information obtained in this planning project will be
of benefit in designing additional educational programming
for pediatricians on nicotine addiction and smoking cessation.
The activities of the planning grant also resulted in the
development of a Smoking Cessation Task Force, to catalyze
smoking cessation efforts by the managed care organization
and hospital on behalf of patients’ parents.
For more information, contact:
Judith Groner, M.D.
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Columbus Children’s Hospital
Ambulatory Pediatrics
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH 43205 |
