Purpose:

To prepare the project directors to address the following health systems research questions: a) to what extent will education, directed to providers of pediatric care, on smoker identification and brief smoking cessation interventions impact on their identification and counseling of parents who smoke? b) will provider access to a formal clinical pathway on smoking cessation for parents increase provider identification and counseling of parents who smoke? and c) how can a computerized telephone system be used effectively in the clinical setting to promote identification and counseling of parental smokers? During a one-year planning period, the groundwork will be set for implementing systematic changes and examining these issues in a full evaluation proposal.

Objectives:

To achieve the project goals, the following objectives will be met during the planning year: a) to determine the needs of the CHPHN providers in terms of smoker identification and assistance, b) to develop and pilot an educational program for providers and their staff on smoker identification, nicotine addiction, motivating families to achieve behavioral change, and techniques for brief smoking cessation intervention, c) to develop a formal clinical pathway for addressing parental tobacco use, d) to adapt and pilot an innovative computer based telephone system to assist providers in intervention with smokers, and e) to begin ongoing discussions with payors to encourage reimbursement for smoking cessation counseling and treatment.