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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

James H. Price, PhD, MPH¹, Lisa M. Ambrosetti, MS¹, Jaime E. Sidani, MPH¹, and Joy A. Price, MD, PhD². (1) Department of Public Health, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft, Mailstop 119, Toledo, OH 43606, 419-530-4180, jprice@utnet.utoledo.edu, (2) Zepf Community Mental Health Center, 6605 W. Central Ave., Toledo, OH 43617

Objective: This study describes Ohio community mental health center psychiatrists' perceptions and practices in regards to smoking cessation activities with patients. Methods: A total of 150 psychiatrists from 78 facilities were randomly identified by mental health center staff to receive a four-page, 26-item valid and reliable questionnaire. A three wave mailing was used with follow-up phone calls to maximize the response rate. Results: A total of 80 (53%) responses were received. The majority (59%) of psychiatrists were in the maintenance stage regarding assessing patient smoking status. While 24% thought giving brief smoking cessation counseling was of major value, few (5%) reported having prompts on patient records to remind them to address nicotine dependence. About one-third or less of patients who smoked received the last two steps of the 5A's method of smoking cessation counseling (assist and arrange). Less than one-third of psychiatrists felt that they were very or extremely confident using certain components of the 5A's, such as prescribing nicotine replacement therapy, arranging follow-up visits, and behavior therapy. Conclusion: This study found an inconsistency of smoking cessation activities among adult psychiatrists. The majority of psychiatrists reported asking patients about cigarette smoking status as well as giving advice to quit. However, the practice of actually facilitating quit attempts (i.e. with social support, nicotine replacement therapy, referrals, and follow-up visits) was lacking. This demonstrates that although cigarette smoking in individuals with mental illness is recognized as a major problem by adult psychiatrists, too little is being done to adequately address the issue.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• identify the stage of community mental health psychiatrists in Stages of Change regarding smoking cessation activity,
• Identify community mental health psychiatrists’ use of prompts on patient records for addressing nicotine dependence, and
• identify community mental health psychiatrists’ efficacy expectations regarding the use of the 5A’s.

Keywords: Mental Health, Smoking Cessation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered