Publications (3)4.04 Total impact
-
Article: Tobacco-cessation services and patient satisfaction in nine nonprofit HMOs.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The U.S. Public Health Service clinical practice guideline calls for clinicians and healthcare organizations to identify and treat every tobacco user seen in a healthcare setting. There is little information on the extent of compliance with the guideline's treatment model described by the "5A's" (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange). In 1999-2000 a survey was mailed to 64,764 members aged 25 to 75 years, of nine nonprofit HMOs participating in the National Cancer Institute-funded Cancer Research Network. These plans provide medical care to more than 8 million Americans including a minority enrollment of 30%. Smokers were asked about tobacco-cessation treatments received during primary care visits in the past year. A 70% response rate identified a smoking prevalence of 10% (n=4207). Results indicated that 90% of smokers were asked about smoking, 71% were advised to quit, 56% were assessed for their willingness to quit, 49% received assistance interventions, and 9% had follow-up arranged. Treatment was provided more often to smokers who asked for help and/or intended to quit. Few and only modest associations were found between other patient characteristics and receipt of 5A's cessation services. In contrast to widely reported concerns about smokers' resistance to tobacco interventions, smokers who received treatment were more satisfied with health plan services. Results demonstrate substantial clinician compliance with the first two steps-Ask and Advise. Greater efforts are needed in providing the more effective tobacco treatments-Assist and Arrange. Compliance with the guideline is associated with greater patient satisfaction.American Journal of Preventive Medicine 09/2005; 29(2):77-84. · 4.04 Impact Factor -
Article: Relationship between tobacco control policies and the delivery of smoking cessation services in nonprofit HMOs.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This project examined tobacco policies and delivery of cessation services in nonprofit HMOs that collectively provide comprehensive medical care to more than 8 million members. Three annual surveys with health plan managers showed that all of these health plans had written tobacco control guidelines that became more comprehensive over the span of this study. We also surveyed a random sample of 4207 current smokers who had attended a primary care visit in the past year (399-528 at each of nine health plans). Of these smokers, 71% reported advice to quit, 56% were asked about their willingness to quit, 49% were provided some assistance in quitting (mostly self-help material or information about classes or counseling), and 9% were offered some kind of follow-up. Smokers receiving assistance in quitting reported higher satisfaction with their care. In general, health plans with the most comprehensive policies also showed higher rates of implementing tobacco treatment programs in primary care. Compared with tobacco control efforts of a decade or more ago, considerable progress has been made. However, there is still room for improvement in the proportion of smokers who receive the most effective forms of assistance in quitting.JNCI Monographs 02/2005; -
Article: Tobacco-control policies in 11 leading managed care organizations: progress and challenges.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although evidence-based national guidelines for tobacco-dependence treatment have been available since 1996, translating these guidelines into clinical practice is challenging. Policies regarding tobacco-dependence treatment (e.g., written guidelines and coverage of pharmacotherapy) and implementation strategies of 11 U.S. managed care organizations known to have strong tobacco-control programs. Detailed telephone interviews with multiple informants at each health plan and review of written treatment guidelines and policies for tobacco dependence. Although 10 of 11 plans had adopted tobacco-dependence treatment guidelines consistent with the national guideline, fewer had guidelines for special groups, such as adolescents (6 plans), parents (5 plans), pregnant women (5 plans), and hospitalized smokers (3 plans). Most plans offered clinician training and recommended office systems to support provider efforts; however, fewer actively facilitated their implementation. Most plans provided other support for tobacco treatment, including dedicated budgets, designated staff, and an oversight committee. All plans offered some coverage for tobacco-cessation pharmacotherapy and behavioral counseling, although not to the extent recommended by the national guideline. Implementation of national tobacco-treatment guidelines is feasible in closed-panel managed care organizations. However, even these leading health plans could do more to comply with national practice guidelines on tobacco-dependence treatment and make it easier for clinicians to help patients stop smoking (e.g., through increased training and expanded coverage of tobacco-dependence treatment).Effective clinical practice: ECP 5(3):130-6.
