Doctors Want More Quit-Smoking Help for Patients Only 13 Percent of Physicians Regularly Refer Smokers to Others for Appropriate Smoking Cessation Treatment A recent study finds that doctors in the United States, while acknowledging the importance of talking to patients who smoke about quitting, say there is a need for more resources to assist patients and increase patient follow-through when it comes to attempts to quit smoking. Nearly 70 percent of American smokers want to quit, but few actually use the most effective treatments that can help them do so successfully. Physicians are among the most important sources of health information and have the potential to make a major contribution to further reducing tobacco use. More than two-thirds of Americans see a physician at least once a year, and physicians who advise their patients to quit can increase success rates by 30 percent1. However, according to the new study, Physician Behavior and Practice Patterns Related to Smoking Cessation, far more can be done and needs to be done to promote physician involvement in efforts to reduce tobacco use and to encourage smoking cessation. The study was conducted by the Center for Workforce Studies at the Association of American Medical Colleges, on behalf of the American Legacy Foundation®. Based on a survey of several thousand physicians, the study found that physicians believe it is their role to help patients quit smoking. Eighty-six percent of physicians say they "usually" advise patients to quit smoking, yet few regularly provide extensive assistance to help patients try to quit. For example, only 13 percent of physicians regularly refer smokers to other resources for appropriate smoking cessation treatment. Physicians cite limited services and resources as barriers to effective interventions with patients who smoke. They also noted that a lack of patient motivation, limited coverage for services and limited reimbursement for their time spent with patients dedicated to quitting smoking are additional challenges. The study also found more can be done to increase the role of physicians in this important process. The study found higher rates of physician referrals to quit-smoking resources in states where there is a greater investment in tobacco control programs. In addition, office policies guiding physicians' smoking cessation practices may be effective strategies in increasing the physician's role in smoking cessation treatment. Rates of physician referrals to quit-smoking resources were found to be higher in practices that require specific smoking- related conversations with patients. In addition, the study found that physicians that are required by office policies to ask about whether or not their patients smoke and document their patients' smoking status, were in fact more likely to be actively promoting smoking cessation and assisting their patients. Unfortunately, only about half the physicians surveyed have such requirements. "The medical community and public health community need to work together to make it possible for more people to quit smoking," said Cheryl Healton, Dr. P.H. and American Legacy Foundation president and CEO. "Increasing the available information and resources is key to making this goal a reality." The authors of the study recommend the following steps to help prepare and motivate doctors: Provide better and faster information to physicians on available resources and services in the community. Improve the reimbursement for treatment services and time. Encourage physician practices to require greater documentation of efforts. Increase the availability of Continuing Medical Education (CMEs) on smoking cessation and behavior change. Expand medical school curriculum related to smoking cessation and behavioral change "This study shows that far more can and should be done to increase the role of physicians in the national efforts to improve the health status of Americans by reducing smoking and the use of tobacco" said Edward Salsberg, Director of the Center for Workforce Studies and principle investigator of the study. "Physicians know what needs to be done; we must give them the tools and supports they need to assist their patients." For the study researchers surveyed a national sample of doctors specializing in family medicine, general internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology and psychiatry, since these doctors have extensive contact with patients, are likely to treat patients who are smokers, and are most likely to be a first point of contact for patients. For more information and the text of the entire report, please visit: www.AmericanLegacy.org or www.aamc.org