Patient Satisfaction and Discussion of Smoking Cessation During Clinical Visits

Emergency Department-Based Tobacco Interventions Improve Patient Satisfaction

“…Prior studies have shown a positive association between taking a tobacco history or providing counseling to smokers, and patient satisfaction (6,7,19). This is an important finding, as it suggests that tobacco use screening and counseling appeals to patients, and should not present a barrier to providers concerned that such screening may cause patients to seek care elsewhere.…”

“…Two studies conducted in primary care settings have demonstrated higher scores in smokers who were screened and counseled for tobacco use (6,7). A study of 3703 smokers in Minnesota found that those who said their primary care providers provided tobacco cessation support reported scores showing 10 percentage points greater satisfaction, and 5 fewer points of dissatisfaction, than those patients whose providers did not offer cessation support (6).…”

“…A study of 3703 smokers in Minnesota found that those who said their primary care providers provided tobacco cessation support reported scores showing 10 percentage points greater satisfaction, and 5 fewer points of dissatisfaction, than those patients whose providers did not offer cessation support (6). A survey of 4207 smokers in nine non-profit health maintenance organizations found that satisfaction scores were linearly associated with the patient-reported number of cessation interventions offered (7).…”

Effectiveness of the 5-As Tobacco Cessation Treatments in Nine HMOs

“…2 It is encouraging that the majority of smokers want to quit, 2 report wanting help from their physician, and are more satisfied with their health care when they are offered cessation services. 4,5 Most smokers see a physician at least once a year, 6 and efficacious tobacco treatments have been developed specifically for the primary care setting. In 2000, the US Public Health Service released an updated clinical practice guideline that called on physicians and health-care organizations to implement a treatment model described by the "5-As": (1) ask patients about smoking at every visit, (2) advise all tobacco users to quit, (3) assess smokers' willingness to try to quit, (4) assist smokers' efforts with treatment and referrals, and (5) arrange follow-up contacts to support cessation efforts.…”

The Role of Health Plans in Tobacco Control

“…There is no evidence that they increase health care costs; there is no rationale for excluding these treatments from routine reimbursement. In addition, smoking patients report greater satisfaction with their care when tobacco-dependence treatment is offered (61).…”