The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: In January 2004, the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services requested that the Québec National Institute of Public Health develop, implement and evaluate a 3-year intervention program to improve cessation counselling practices of Quebec physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, nurses and respiratory therapists. As a first step, we conducted six independent random sample surveys, one in each professional group, to document current cessation counselling practices, to identify determinants of these practices, and to document interest in updating knowledge and skills in cessation counselling.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 500 potential subjects in each of the six groups of health professionals. Subjects were randomly selected from current lists of of active members of each health professional board. The response proportion varied between 52% and 70%

Results: The content and completeness of cessation counselling practices varied widely between groups. Compared to other groups, physicians engaged in more cessation counselling among all patients in general. Among smokers preparing to quit, counselling practices were relatively more complete among pharmacists and physicians All groups reported numerous perceived barriers to cessation counselling including lack of time, difficulty providing follow-up and patient resistance to counselling. There were moderate levels of interest in all professional groups in updating knowledge to improve cessation counselling practices.

Conclusion Completeness and adequacy of counselling practices among health professionals are not yet optimal. Programs to train health professionals to provide adequate counselling are needed.