INNOVATIONS in pharmacy

Efficacy and Satisfaction of a Smoking Cessation Telephone Counseling Service Provided by Pharmacy Students

Jie Lin Soong

Lori Wilken

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v6i4.405

Keywords: smoking cessation, tobacco dependence, telephone counseling, pharmacy student, quitline

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Abstract

Objective: This was a prospective, research survey assessing patient satisfaction and efficacy of the smoking cessation telephone counseling service provided by pharmacy students at the University of Illinois Hospital.

Methods: From September 2012 through May 2013, 82 patients received telephone counseling post hospital discharge and were followed up at 30 days for a telephone survey. Primary outcomes included improvement in stages of change, motivation and confidence levels in quitting tobacco, as well as patient satisfaction of the service. Secondary outcomes included self-reported continuous and point prevalence abstinence rates at 30 days.

Results: Eighteen patients completed the survey. There was no significant difference before and after the service with regards to the stage of change (p = 0.14), motivation levels (p = 0.80) nor confidence levels (p = 0.89) to quit tobacco. Majority of patients felt the duration of the call was just nice (83.3%), but having only one call was too little (77.8%). Overall satisfaction of the service was 83.1%. Self-reported continuous and point prevalence abstinence rates at 30 days were 16.7% and 22.2%, respectively.

Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant improvement in the stages of change, motivation and confidence levels to quit smoking, patients were highly satisfied with the telephone counseling service provided by pharmacy students.

 

Type: Clinical Experience