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Published Online: 15 October 2014

Barriers to Implementing Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Practices in Nine Community Mental Health Sites

Abstract

Objective

Guidelines strongly recommend that smokers with mental illness receive evidence-based smoking cessation interventions similar to those provided to smokers in the general population. The goal of this study was to evaluate the resources, barriers, and willingness to use these evidence-based interventions in mental health settings.

Methods

Clinicians at nine community mental health settings (five psychosocial rehabilitation programs and four community mental health clinics) in four counties in Maryland were surveyed. The questionnaire—the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale−15—evaluated availability, barriers, and utilization of smoking cessation assessment and treatment, including willingness to use evidence-based practices.

Results

Ninety-five clinicians participated in the study. Most were full-time employees (84%) with master’s degrees (56%). The vast majority were nonsmokers or former smokers (94%). Less than half (42%) of the clinicians reported asking their patients about smoking. Less than a third (33%) advised or assisted in smoking cessation. Very few (10%) reported referring identified smokers to telephone quitlines. About a quarter (26%) reported being confident about their ability to provide smoking cessation counseling. A major barrier to providing cessation counseling was the belief that patients were not interested in quitting (77%). On average, clinicians reported a great willingness to use evidence-based smoking cessation interventions if they received appropriate training.

Conclusions

Mental health clinicians working in community mental health settings were not consistently providing evidence-based smoking cessation interventions. Barriers appear to be modifiable through training and education.

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Published In

Go to Psychiatric Services
Go to Psychiatric Services

Cover: A ‘Bear’ Chance, by Philip Russell Goodwin, 1907. Oil on canvas. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, gift of the National Biscuit Company; the Bridgeman Art Library, New York.

Psychiatric Services
Pages: 75 - 80
PubMed: 23999796

History

Published in print: January 2014
Published online: 15 October 2014

Authors

Details

Seth Himelhoch, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Himelhoch and Dr. Goldman are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., MSTF Building, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21201 (e-mail: [email protected]). Ms. Riddle is a medical student at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Julia Riddle, B.A.
Dr. Himelhoch and Dr. Goldman are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., MSTF Building, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21201 (e-mail: [email protected]). Ms. Riddle is a medical student at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Howard H. Goldman, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Himelhoch and Dr. Goldman are with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore St., MSTF Building, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21201 (e-mail: [email protected]). Ms. Riddle is a medical student at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.

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