1. Pharmacist-led telehealth tobacco cessation services compared with usual care in a community health center.
- Author
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McDuffie, Ariel C., Varughese, Shibu J., Duffy, Allyson R., Faiella, Andrew S., Wegener, Laura F., Singer, Kaeli A., Whitner, Jangus B., and Valentino, Alexa Sevin
- Subjects
SMOKING cessation ,COUNSELING ,COMMUNITY health services ,TELEMEDICINE - Abstract
Background: Previous studies regarding tobacco cessation services (TCS) concluded that pharmacist interventions lead to higher or similar quit rates compared with usual care; however, little is known about patient satisfaction with these services.Objectives: This study assessed 30-day point prevalence abstinence and patient satisfaction of TCS provided by pharmacists compared with primary care providers (PCPs) in a community health center. Secondary objectives assessed the number of encounters and time spent counseling and medications prescribed at each visit.Methods: Patients at the age of 18 years or older with tobacco use disorder and a new quit attempt were invited to complete a 9-question survey via e-mail, phone, and mail 7 months after their initial tobacco cessation visit. The survey assessed 30-day point prevalence abstinence and patient satisfaction. Chart reviews were conducted to assess time spent counseling and prescribing patterns.Results: The response rate was 38.8% (50/129) overall, 43.9% in the pharmacist group and 36.3% in the PCP group. A 30-day point prevalence abstinence was reached by 22.2% (4/18) in the pharmacist group and 9.4% (3/32) in the PCP group (P = 0.23). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the pharmacist group with regard to discussion around medications used to quit smoking (100% vs. 65.6%, P = 0.004), understanding how to properly use the medications (100% vs. 62.5%, P = 0.002), identifying behavioral changes to assist with quitting (94.4% vs. 65.6%, P = 0.036), and frequent follow-up visits (83.3% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.016). Pharmacists spent more time counseling patients and were more likely to prescribe dual nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medications.Conclusions: There was not a statistically significant difference in abstinence rates, and patient satisfaction with TCS provided by pharmacists and PCPs was high. Pharmacists provide a more intensive service by spending more time counseling patients and providing more follow-ups and are more likely to diversify medications prescribed to quit smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2022
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