TY - JOUR
T1 - Smoking cessation delivery by general practitioners in Crete, Greece
AU - Girvalaki, Charis
AU - Papadakis, Sophia
AU - Vardavas, Constantine
AU - Petridou, Eleni
AU - Pipe, Andrew
AU - Lionis, Christos
AU - Fotini, Anastasiou
AU - Dimitrios, Kounalakis
AU - Kornilia, Makri
AU - Emmanouil, Meramveliotakis
AU - Emmanouil, Papamastorakis
AU - Rodanthi, Pateli
AU - Chrisa, Petraki
AU - Dimitra, Prokopiadou
AU - Ioanna, Stefanaki
AU - Emmanouil, Symvoulakis
AU - Nikolaos, Tsakountakis
AU - Ioanna, Tsiligianni
AU - Aggeliki, Vasilaki
AU - Theodoros, Vasilopoulos
PY - 2018/6/1
Y1 - 2018/6/1
N2 - Background Tobacco dependence treatment in clinical settings is of prime public health importance, especially in Greece, a country experiencing one of the highest rates of tobacco use in Europe. Methods Our study aimed to examine the characteristics of tobacco users and document rates of tobacco treatment delivery in general practice settings in Crete, Greece. A cross-sectional sample of patients (n = 2, 261) was screened for current tobacco use in 25 general practices in Crete, Greece in 2015/16. Current tobacco users completed a survey following their clinic appointment that collected information on patient characteristics and rates at which the primary care physician delivered tobacco treatment using the evidence-based 4 A's (Ask, Advise, Assist, Arrange) model during their medical appointment and over the previous 12-month period. Multi-level modeling was used to analyze data and examine predictors of 4 A's delivery. Results Tobacco use prevalence was 38% among all patients screened. A total of 840 tobacco users completed the study survey [mean age 48.0 (SD 14.5) years, 57.6% male]. Approximately, half of the tobacco users reported their general practitioner 'asked' about their tobacco use and 'advised' them to quit smoking. Receiving 'assistance' with quitting (15.7%) and 'arranging' follow-up support (<3%) was infrequent. Patient education, presence of smoking-related illness, a positive screen for anxiety or depression and the type of medical appointment were associated with 4 A's delivery. Conclusion Given the fundamental importance of addressing tobacco treatment, increasing the rates of 4 A's treatment in primary care settings in Greece is an important target for improving patient care.
AB - Background Tobacco dependence treatment in clinical settings is of prime public health importance, especially in Greece, a country experiencing one of the highest rates of tobacco use in Europe. Methods Our study aimed to examine the characteristics of tobacco users and document rates of tobacco treatment delivery in general practice settings in Crete, Greece. A cross-sectional sample of patients (n = 2, 261) was screened for current tobacco use in 25 general practices in Crete, Greece in 2015/16. Current tobacco users completed a survey following their clinic appointment that collected information on patient characteristics and rates at which the primary care physician delivered tobacco treatment using the evidence-based 4 A's (Ask, Advise, Assist, Arrange) model during their medical appointment and over the previous 12-month period. Multi-level modeling was used to analyze data and examine predictors of 4 A's delivery. Results Tobacco use prevalence was 38% among all patients screened. A total of 840 tobacco users completed the study survey [mean age 48.0 (SD 14.5) years, 57.6% male]. Approximately, half of the tobacco users reported their general practitioner 'asked' about their tobacco use and 'advised' them to quit smoking. Receiving 'assistance' with quitting (15.7%) and 'arranging' follow-up support (<3%) was infrequent. Patient education, presence of smoking-related illness, a positive screen for anxiety or depression and the type of medical appointment were associated with 4 A's delivery. Conclusion Given the fundamental importance of addressing tobacco treatment, increasing the rates of 4 A's treatment in primary care settings in Greece is an important target for improving patient care.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85048604701&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/eurpub/ckx201
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckx201
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85048604701
SN - 1101-1262
VL - 28
SP - 542
EP - 547
JO - European Journal of Public Health
JF - European Journal of Public Health
IS - 3
ER -