Learning Objectives: Explain how to collaborate with the healthcare community and local agencies to reduce costs and increase participation in an adult cessation program
Abstract:
Problem/Objective:
The Tobacco Free program is a community-based program initiated to increase adult tobacco cessation.
Methods:In this unique program, referrals are made to tobacco education from three sources: in-patient referral from the four local hospitals, physician offices or self-referral.
The participant is assessed regarding their tobacco use and the stage of change that they are currently in, initially, at 3 months, 6 months, and one year. After each contact, the participant is sent educational materials supplied, at no cost, by local agencies and is given the opportunity to join a free cessation class. The goal is to move the participants through the stages of change so that when class time comes, they are ready to quit. This preparation allows for a shorter class length and decreased associated costs.
When a participant signs up for a class, the participant is given the option of free nicotine replacement therapy, provided by G.B Elion Pharmaceuticals and distributed by their doctor.
Community Health Education and Resources (CHER), a division of Inland Northwest Health Services, is a collaborative effort of all four Spokane area hospitals. CHER is responsible for outpatient health education. This collaboration decreases costs by eliminating the duplication of services at the Spokane hospitals.
Results:By combining resources and keeping costs down, CHER is able to offer free tobacco cessation to the community on an ongoing basis.
Conclusions: Having a program with no out-of-pocket expense for the participants has increased the number of people in the Tobacco Free Program.
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Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)