Stavros Stafylidis

Aim: This study examines the impact of a continuing medical education (CME) intervention on smoking cessation among primary-care professionals (PCPs) and explores the relationship between PCP smoking status and patient tobacco-treatment delivery. Background: High rates of tobacco use among PCPs have been reported in several European countries. PCPs who smoke are less motivated to provide cessation support to their patients. Methods: A before-after study was conducted with 228 PCPs from Greece and Cyprus. The intervention included a one-day CME training, a 2.5-hour seminar three months later, and practice tools. Expert faculty provided informal support to smoking PCPs. Changes in PCP smoking status and 5As (ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange) tobacco treatment delivery were assessed before and six months after training. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to evaluate the association between the training and PCP smoking status and 5As delivery. Findings: At baseline, 18% (n = 47) of PCPs were current smokers, and 39% (n = 66) were ex-smokers. At follow-up, 31.9% of current smokers reported quitting (n = 15/47; p < 0.001). Smoking cessation was higher among female PCPs (p = 0.02) and those in Cyprus and Thessaloniki (p < 0.01). PCPs reported increased 5As delivery at follow-up, with the highest rates among ex-smokers (>6 months) and never smokers. PCPs reported significant quitting rates following a comprehensive evidence-based training intervention. The findings suggest that addressing PCPs’ smoking status can improve both health-care provider and patient smoking outcomes.

Introduction: Despite the well-documented benefits of smoking cessation interventions, the implementation and success of these programs in primary care settings often encounter significant barriers. A primary care provider’s personal smoking status has been identified as a potential barrier to tobacco treatment delivery. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences and perspectives of primary care providers regarding their role in delivering smoking cessation interventions to patients based on their personal smoking status. Specifically, the study seeks to examine providers’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors concerning their own smoking behavior and to understand their attitudes and actions when supporting patients who smoke and to explore their perspectives on the effectiveness of training programs designed to promote tobacco treatment. Materials and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 primary care providers from six public primary care units in the Central Macedonia Region, Greece. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Results: Healthcare providers who are current smokers may face unique challenges in effectively counseling patients on smoking cessation. On the contrast, non-smoking and especially previous smoking healthcare providers were noted to exhibit greater confidence and efficacy in delivering cessation support, often serving as role models for patients aiming to quit smoking. Participating in structured cessation training programs often led healthcare professionals to reflect and reevaluate their own smoking behaviors. Conclusions: Personal smoking status of primary care providers impacts the delivery of tobacco treatment, affecting their credibility and effectiveness in providing cessation support. Educational programs positively impact attitudes and behaviors, underscoring their importance in improving both PCPs’ professional effectiveness and personal health outcomes. These findings suggest that addressing PCPs’ smoking habits and enhancing training opportunities are critical for optimizing smoking cessation services.

Introduction: Despite the well-documented benefits of smoking cessation interventions, the implementation and success of these programs in primary care settings often encounter significant barriers. A primary care provider’s personal smoking status has been identified as a potential barrier to tobacco treatment delivery. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences and perspectives of primary care providers regarding their role in, delivering smoking cessation interventions to patients based on their personal smoking status. Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 primary care providers from 6 public primary care units in Central Macedonia Region, Greece. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Results: Healthcare providers who are current smokers may face unique challenges in effectively counseling patients on smoking cessation. On the contrast, non-smoking and especially previous smoking healthcare providers were noted to exhibit greater confidence and efficacy in delivering cessation support, often serving as role models for patients aiming to quit smoking. Participation in structured cessation training programs often catalyzed personal reflection among healthcare professionals regarding their own smoking behaviour. Conclusions: Personal smoking status of primary care providers impacts the delivery of tobacco treatment, affecting their credibility and effectiveness in providing cessation support. Understanding the complex factors that influence the delivery of smoking cessation interventions in primary care is crucial, as these settings represent a vital point of contact for reaching individuals who smoke and providing them with the necessary support to quit.