Learning Objectives: Explain rationale for establishing tobacco cessation curricula within the medical community and identify effective delivery methods.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective: Although 70% of smokers report wanting to quit and see a physician annually, only about 33% are actually counseled to quit by their physician. Results from a physician survey conducted in Pennsylvania also demonstrate that physicians are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco use, but have limited knowledge of the Clinical Practice Guidelines and effective smoking cessation techniques.
Methods: The Pennsylvania Department of Health, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (AHEC), has developed effective methods of incorporating the tobacco cessation clinical practice guidelines as a standard of care for healthcare providers. The AHEC project seeks to impact the healthcare provider community at three levels – incumbent health professional workforce, graduate medical education, and undergraduate medical education.
Results: A curricular plan that emphasizes knowledge, skills, and attitudes was developed and implemented in three pilot medical schools. In addition, educational objectives were identified, and instructional interventions consistent with physician learning theory and compatible with the educational structure of each institution were designed. Core elements of the individual curricula are presently undergoing evaluation for structure, process and outcomes.
Conclusions: Curricular intervention as part of a state’s comprehensive tobacco control strategy is feasible and can be both individualized and evaluated. Developing a curricular plan that emphasizes educational objectives, rather than dictating specific activities, seems to be an effective way to achieve this goal. The effectiveness of this approach on achieving specific competencies or on effecting a change in expectations for care has yet to be determined.
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