Improving patient education about tobacco withdrawal and nicotine gum use by registered nurses in inpatient psychiatry: A feasibility study

Abstract

Introduction Tobacco use is prohibited in most psychiatric facilities in the United States, yet many psychiatric inpatients are tobacco users. Psychiatric nurses have reported inadequate education about best practices for managing tobacco dependence. Aim To explore the feasibility of an educational intervention for psychiatric nurses designed to improve their ability to educate patients about best practices for managing tobacco dependence, as well as effective use of nicotine gum. Method Fourteen nurses on a psychiatric inpatient unit at a community hospital were educated about the targeted topics. Chart reviews of nonequivalent pre-intervention and post-intervention patient groups were conducted to explore the outcomes of the intervention. Results Patients received more teaching, and used nicotine gum more often, following the intervention. However, no statistically significant differences between the pre-intervention and post-intervention patient groups were found. Discussion Educating nurses about best practices for managing tobacco withdrawal symptoms may have positive outcomes. Existing research suggests that such interventions may be most effective when support and structure are provided to ensure long-term practice changes. Implications for practice This feasibility study demonstrates that a brief nurse education intervention has the potential to improve the experience of tobacco withdrawal for psychiatric inpatients. Future research that expands upon the current project is warranted.

How can hospitals change practice to better implement smoking cessation interventions? A systematic review

“…Table 3 presents an overview of each study 36‐98 . A summary of the characteristics of the 56 studies is presented in Table 4.…”

“…Externally, led one-off training programs were characterized by brief training (one-off, typically less than an hour) with no planning, organizing, or monitoring of implementation strategies. This group consisted of 10 studies 42,53,58,60,74,78,80,[84][85][86] with an average follow-up period of 0.6 years. All studies described adoption outcomes, with minimal descriptions of other implementation outcomes.…”