Learning Objectives: Identify results of an outreach program that integrates arranging follow-up with state quitline services.
Abstract: Background: The updated Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence recommends that healthcare providers use the 5 A’s for patients willing to quit using tobacco (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange). The Guideline emphasizes that providers treat tobacco dependence as a chronic relapsing, remitting condition where ongoing support for patients making a quit attempt is important. Research suggests, however, that there are low rates of arranging follow-up (the 5th A) by healthcare providers for their patients who have recently quit using tobacco.
METHODS: The UW-CTRI outreach program goals are to promote the 5 A’s to healthcare providers throughout Wisconsin. One way the outreach program promotes the 5th A is by integrating arranging follow-up with Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line services, which are available for all state residents. All callers participate in a survey that includes questions about whether a healthcare provider referred them to the quitline.
RESULTS: Post-hoc analyses of quitline caller survey data suggest that this outreach model may be associated with a higher percentage of provider referrals, compared to quitline data from other states. Furthermore, the percentage of provider-referred callers appears to be growing each month.
CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers are willing to refer patients to the state quitline. Through the delivery of an outreach program that presents quitline information to healthcare providers, it may be possible to increase follow-up rates for recently quit smokers.
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