Computer Support for Pharmacy Based Smoking Cessation
Beth Bock, BTTF Inc., Frederick Bock, BTTF Inc., James Christian, PHCC Lp; Kyle Kelly, PHCC, Lp.

Findings Summary
Pharmacists are in a good position to help smokers quit, provide important counseling support and guidance in using medications. However, limited time, training and resources pose significant barriers to pharmacist’s counseling efforts. Our goal was to develop a practical, inexpensive, easily-delivered, evidence-based intervention to assist pharmacists in providing cessation assistance to their clients. The computer software system provided standardized assessments and individually-tailored, feedback reports to participants and pharmacists. Patient feedback provided reinforcement of patient strengths, highlighted areas needing improvement and provided tips for quitting. Pharmacist reports outlined key areas for patient improvement and counseling suggestions for the pharmacist.

Fifty adults (60% men: 46% Hispanic, 36% white, 12% native American: avg. age = 45 years) used the software program in the pharmacy. Average assessment completion time was 11 minutes (range 5-20 min). All participants rated the program “very easy” to use. 74% said reports “very helpful” or “excellent” in helping motivate them to quit. 86% said the pharmacist’s counseling was helpful to them and 94% (n=47) set a quit date. 92% completed the one-month follow-up. 35% were quit and using the nicotine patch at follow up. The intervention software system was highly acceptable to both pharmacists and patients.

Learning Objective 1
Identify how pharmacists can help their clients quit smoking

Learning Objective 2
Explain how social-cognitive models of health behavior change can be incorporated into software expert systems.

Learning Objective 3
Describe the acceptability and nature of patient feedback results obtained by this study

Dissemination Plan
This study derives from a Phase I SBIR grant application to NIH. A Phase II application will be submitted to provide a rigorous test of system efficacy in a real-world setting. Results of both phases of research will be presented at conferences and published in trade journals and scientific publications.