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Pdf Summary

The document discusses the importance of integrating smoking cessation treatments into healthcare, particularly in respiratory therapy clinics, as smoking remains a leading cause of preventable deaths. Currently, cigarette smoking prevalence in the United States has dropped to 16.8% over more than five decades since the Surgeon General's report on the harms of tobacco, but it still leads to 480,000 premature deaths annually.<br /><br />Around 42 million Americans smoke, and many are attempting to quit with the help of healthcare providers, including physicians and advanced practice professionals (APPs) like nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Despite the critical role of healthcare providers in assisting smoking cessation, it's argued that APPs do not necessarily achieve better results than physicians. Studies indicate that physicians' brief counseling can increase cessation rates by 1% to 3%, but there's insufficient research directly comparing the cessation outcomes between APPs and physicians.<br /><br />The document highlights the significance of compassionate patient counseling methods such as motivational interviewing and establishing a culture within healthcare environments that address smoking cessation systematically. Recommendations include using the 5As model: asking about tobacco use, advising to quit, assessing willingness, assisting attempts to quit, and arranging follow-ups. Barriers to effective tobacco treatment include limited time, unreadiness from patients, and resource inadequacies.<br /><br />Moreover, the use of strategies like making smoking status a vital sign or systems-based practice changes linked to electronic medical records can aid in improving treatment rates. Ultimately, a multidisciplinary approach involving all healthcare team members is essential to enhancing smoking cessation efforts and tackling the chronic health issue of tobacco use. The importance of persistent commitment from medical schools to healthcare practices is emphasized to realize this objective comprehensively.

Keywords

smoking cessation

healthcare integration

respiratory therapy

preventable deaths

motivational interviewing

5As model

multidisciplinary approach

electronic medical records

tobacco treatment barriers

healthcare providers