Learning Objectives: Describe a unique smoking cessation strategy employing pharmacists as certified smoking cessation counselors to be piloted in Northern Illinois.
Abstract: Problem/Objective
Community pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers and can play a large role in patient care and in improving healthcare outcomes. Illinois Department of Public Health funding has allowed the UIC College of Pharmacy Smoking Cessation section to implement training of community pharmacists to promote cessation. The I Quit® program will initially be piloted in Rockford, Illinois. Community pharmacists will be certified to be competent smoking cessation counselors and provide free pharmacist-managed smoking cessation classes to the public. The goals of the pilot program are to educate twenty pharmacists to provide counseling to 2,000 smokers and to obtain the highest abstinence rate possible.
Methods
Pharmacists will be recruited to participate in the certificate program based on interest and experience in smoking cessation. This program will be an intense two-day workshop consisting of didactic lectures, case studies, physical assessment training, and simulations where pharmacists will learn and practice facilitating group meetings and providing individual consultation sessions.
Smokers interested in quitting will be enrolled in a four-week smoking cessation class meeting on a weekly basis and will be recruited via radio and print advertisements. Participants enrolled in the class will receive behavioral and pharmacological education and monitoring.
Upon completion of the program, telephone follow-up will be provided at 6-weeks, 3- and 12-months. One in-person visit will be conducted at 6-months.
Results
Pending program initiation in June 2002.
Discussion
Smoking abstinence rates in Northern Illinois will increase as certified pharmacist counselors promote and assist with smoking cessation.
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