Osteopathic medical student administered smoking cessation counseling is an effective tool

Abstract

Background:Physician counseling on the risks of tobacco smoking and the benefits of cessation has been shown to be an effective method of increasing the rate of smoking cessation. Using the “Help Your Patients Quit Smoking: A Coaching Guide” also referred to as the “7A's of Smoking Cessation” guideline from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is thought to be effective to convey the importance of smoking cessation.Aim:To study the efficacy of the “7A's of Smoking Cessation” guideline counseling conducted by osteopathic medical students.Materials and Methods:Osteopathic medical students were trained to counsel smokers for 3–10 min based on New York City Department of Health's “7A's of Smoking Cessation” guidelines by a licensed physician. Students then counseled health fair participants who were cigarette smokers for 3–10 min. Postcounseling, participants were administered an 4 question survey to evaluate the effect counseling had on their desire to quit smoking. Survey data were collected and analyzed. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this study.Results:A total of 13 anonymous health fair participants who were also smokers were administered both counseling sessions and surveys. 11/13 (84.6%) participants stated that the session motivated them to quit smoking. 9/13 (69.2%) participants responded that they were now motivated to discuss smoking cessation with their doctor after being counseled. Of these participants 12/13 (92.3%) had previously attempted to quit smoking without success.Conclusion:Participants reported an increased willingness to stop smoking after being counseled by osteopathic medical students. Participants also reported an increased motivation to discuss smoking cessation with their physician. These findings indicate that smoking cessation counseling administered by osteopathic medical students effectively in encouraging smokers to consider reduction or cessation of tobacco use.

Addressing Auditory Health with a Medical Student-Run Screening Program in an Urban, Underserved Minority Population

“…With lack of healthcare resources, communities in medically underserved areas (MUAs) have worse health outcomes in seemingly preventable diseases. 14,15 For example, while presbycusis lacks a curative treatment, early intervention is critical in slowing disease progression. With the goal of preserving residual hearing, physicians would be able to identify and negate risk factors such as ototoxic medications and lack of appropriate protection in chronic loud noise exposure.…”