14 DAY TRIAL // It’s a known fact by now that smoking is an addiction that, in order to be kicked, often requires some sort of help, either in the form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or specialized counseling. Starting from this premise, the NHS aims to introduce a mechanism through primary care that will recognize smoking as a clinical issue, and that will be incorporated in stop smoking interventions, OnMedica informs.
UK is one of the countries that invest impressive amounts in campaigns aimed at preventing and helping smokers quit, and the latest method it is now trying to push forward can speak volumes as to the NHS acknowledging smoking as a very serious issue. By classifying smoking as a clinical issue that requires referral to a specialist and counseling, the NHS is putting the addiction on par with hypertension and high cholesterol, while also relying on evidence so far that those offered this type of help are more likely to quit.
“A new systems-based approach to improve stop smoking interventions is to be rolled out throughout primary care, the government announced today. The method, developed to ensure stop smoking interventions by healthcare professionals are routine and systematic, has increased referrals to local NHS Stop Smoking Services by up to 49% in pilot areas. People who are referred to these local services are up to four times more likely to quit.” OnMedica informs.
Studies and small-scale implementations so far have shown that the method stands better chances of helping smokers quit that those used so far. Over the next few months, practices and primary care centers that have already expressed an intention of taking part in the program will be instructed and trained as to what the method specifically implies. The first national evaluation of the results of the method will take place in April next year, the aforementioned medical publication informs.
“The approach works by offering patients three levels of intervention, from 30 second very brief advice to intensive support. The primary care program establishes a supportive delivery system of 10 components that ensures quality stop smoking treatment becomes routine in the practice. What we are trying to do is to make the treatment of tobacco addiction routine, in a similar way to hypertension. Previously, the primary care system encouraged GPs to give their patients advice in terms of stop smoking. The difference here is that GPs will now be required to actively manage their patients – such as referring them to a specialist stop smoking service.” Paul Aveyard, Senior Consultant on the project, explains for OnMedica.