Do professional perspectives on evidence-based smoking cessation methods align? A Delphi study among researchers and healthcare professionals

Abstract

The use of evidence-based smoking cessation interventions (SCIs) can significantly increase the number of successful smoking cessation attempts. To obtain an overview of the knowledge and viewpoints on the effectiveness and use of SCIs, a three-round online Delphi study was conducted among researchers and primary care professionals (PCPs). The four objectives of this study are to gain an overview of (i) the criteria important for recommending SCIs, (ii) the perceptions of both groups on the effectiveness of SCIs, (iii) the factors to consider when counseling different (high-risk) groups of smokers and (iv) the perceptions of both groups on the use of e-cigarettes as an SCI. We found a high level of agreement within groups on which smoker characteristics should be considered when recommending an SCI to smokers. We also found that PCPs display a lower degree of consensus on the effectiveness of SCIs. Both groups see a value in the use of special protocols for different (high-risk) groups of patients, but the two groups did not reach consensus on the use of e-cigarettes as a means to quit. Making an inventory of PCPs’ needs regarding SCIs and their usage may provide insight into how to facilitate a better uptake in the primary care setting.

How to persuade more primary care professionals to adopt a valued smoking cessation referral aid: a cross-sectional study of facilitators and barriers

“…However, this might have resulted into a lower response rate by the increased burden on the participants. It is worthwhile mentioning that we actually based our selection of factors on semi-structured interviews with GPs ( n = 5), PNs ( n = 20), a Delphi study on the EBSCIs referral [ 15 ] and the input of our advisory board of Dutch experts from various smoking cessation related organizations. This provided some inside in the relevance of the factors included.…”

“…Although there was a large percentage of PCPs without intention to adopt the RA is the choice for the use of an RA still well substantiated based on theory related to (inter)national research on smoking cessation guidelines [ 4 , 5 ], shared decision making principles [ 11 , 12 ] and experiences from experts in the field [ 15 ]. As the appreciation for the RA was also high in both groups, we do see it feasible to continue in the proposed direction.…”

The Usability of an Online Tool to Promote the Use of Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Interventions

“…The DA was named "StopWijzer", which can be translated as either "stop-guide" or "stop-smarter", and it was based on a needs assessment consisting of a literature review (e.g., [18,43,44]), individual semi-structured interviews with general practitioners (GPs) (n = 5), practice nurses (PNs) (n = 20) and smokers (n = 9), a Delphi study on the referral to EBSCIs [27,39] and the input of an advisory board consisting of experts representing various Dutch smoking cessation-related organizations, six of which were actively involved. After the intervention was pilot-tested, the DA was originally deployed to be used in primary care [41,42].…”

“…The second limitation was that the DA was primarily developed to be used with the aid of a PCP, such as a PN, in the PCS [41,42]. The content of the DA, however, was developed using theoretical grounds based on relevant constructs from the previous studies [18,27,43,44], a needs assessment in the form of a Delphi study [39] and the input of an advisory board. The DA used in this study was adapted by rewriting the materials to fit within the smokers' frame of reference, taking into account the patients' potentially low health literacy and rewriting the information using clear and comprehensible language, in accordance with the applicable Dutch guidelines (language level B1) [45].…”

“…However, PNs do not always adhere to these guidelines, particularly the assist and arrange aspects, in which they are asked to provide smoking cessation counseling or refer smokers to other EBSCIs. This might be due to a lack of knowledge or low self-efficacy related to helping their patients make informed decisions [12,27,39]. An overview of effective evidence-based smoking cessation tools might help counselors and smokers decide on the most preferred cessation method [40].…”