The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The primary objective of the Providers Practice Prevention: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence continuing education program was to increase awareness of and adherence to the recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence among various advanced providers, including nurse practitioners, in the state with the highest rate of adult tobacco use.

Methods: Participants requesting the free self-study program with video and toolkit completed a "pre-program survey" and "post-program evaluation" in order to receive continuing education credit. Participants also voluntarily completed a follow-up survey one year after program completion. Surveys assessed objective and subjective knowledge and practice behaviors.

Results: Nearly 200 nurse practitioners completed the program. Participants demonstrated a statistically significant increase on eight questions assessing objective knowledge about treating tobacco use at post test. However, the increase in objective knowledge was not sustained at one year follow-up. Subjective knowledge measures demonstrated sustained improvement at one year. Self-rated knowledge of guideline recommendations and self-assessed comfort addressing tobacco use with patients increased significantly at post test. Although subjective scores declined slightly at one year follow-up, the results were significant for a linear increase in self-rated knowledge following intervention. Extensive written comments from participants about new information learned indicated subject areas where education was most needed prior to intervention.