Calvin Lawrence James, MPH, Crystal Edwards, BA, Eliza Johnson, BS, and David Webb, PhD. Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 500 South Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19146, 267-231-7139, Calvin.James@Phila.Gov

According to the Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, minimal physician interventions lasting less than 3 minutes increased overall tobacco abstinence rates and it is recommended that every tobacco user be offered at least a minimal cessation intervention. This randomized study was designed to evaluate and increase the usage of the 5 A’s cessation intervention by health care providers through the education of patients (N=15,000) who scheduled visits at any of the Department of Public Health’s eight ambulatory health care centers. The intervention includes two components. The first involves the routine mailing of tailored (culturally appropriate) educational self-help materials that include information concerning (a) the potential effects of tobacco smoke exposure, (b) the importance of discussing smoking behaviors and desires or concerns about quitting with the doctor, and (c) cessation options (i.e., quit smoking classes, NRT’s) that are available to patients at the health centers. The second includes an automated telephone contact. The telephone contact, which occurs two days prior to the scheduled visit date, consists of an educational health promotion message encouraging patients to speak to their doctor about the advantages of quitting and as an appointment confirmation and reminder. Outcome evaluations will include: 1) medical chart abstractions to determine the appropriate documentation of the 5 A’s by health center providers and 2) patient survey assessments. Results of this study will be reviewed and discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Raise patient awareness of the fact that a visit to the doctor is a “teachable moment” for smoking prevention, treatment and cessation;
• Increase overall readiness of patients to discuss smoking related issues with their doctor;
• Improve patients’ knowledge of NRT’s and other cessation options.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment