An evaluation of a pilot specialist smoking cessation clinic in a mental health setting

A. Davis, H. Ngo, M. Coleman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Smoking rates in people with mental illness in Australia remain alarmingly high whilst they have been declining in the general population. This study reviews a smoking cessation programme in a mental health service, as a pilot for future studies and program development. We aim to assess the effectiveness of this intervention and the ease of implementation after upskilling the clinical workforce. Methods: Part A – a retrospective analysis of patients attending the Smokers’ Clinic, (n = 44) over a period of 18 months. Part B – survey of ease of implementation and change in practice of the resident medical officers (RMOs; n = 8) following their clinical placement. Results: For the entire clinic population, the mean reduction in expired carbon monoxide was approximately 43%, with 34% of patients achieving abstinence. Females were 3.4 times more likely to be successful than males. Seventy-five per cent of RMOs found learning about nicotine dependence and smoking cessation ‘easy’, and 88% continued to offer smoking cessation after their placement. Conclusions: The Smokers’ Clinic was successful in helping tobacco smokers with mental illness to reduce or cease smoking. Specialist skill and experience is not required to manage smoking cessation in a mental health setting.

Original languageEnglish
Article number10.1177/1039856218816372
Pages (from-to)275-278
Number of pages4
JournalAustralasian Psychiatry
Volume27
Issue number3
Early online date3 Dec 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2019

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