Abstract
BackgroundPhysician advice is an important motivator for attempting to stop smoking. However, physicians' lack of intervention with smokers has only modestly improved in the last decade. Although the literature includes extensive research in the area of the smoking intervention practices of clinicians, few studies have focused on Hispanic physicians. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlates of tobacco cessation counseling practices among Hispanic physicians in the US.MethodsData were collected through a validated survey instrument among a cross-sectional sample of self-reported Hispanic physicians practicing in New Mexico, and who were members of the New Mexico Hispanic Medical Society in the year 2001. Domains of interest included counseling practices, self-efficacy, attitudes/responsibility, and knowledge/skills. Returned surveys were analyzed to obtain frequencies and descriptive statistics for each survey item. Other analyses included: bivariate Pearson's correlation, factorial ANOVAs, and multiple linear regressions.ResultsRespondents (n = 45) reported a low level of compliance with tobacco control guidelines and recommendations. Results indicate that physicians' familiarity with standard cessation protocols has a significant effect on their tobacco-related practices (r = .35, variance shared = 12%). Self-efficacy and gender were both significantly correlated to tobacco related practices (r = .42, variance shared = 17%). A significant correlation was also found between self-efficacy and knowledge/skills (r = .60, variance shared = 36%). Attitudes/responsibility was not significantly correlated with any of the other measures.ConclusionMore resources should be dedicated to training Hispanic physicians in tobacco intervention. Training may facilitate practice by increasing knowledge, developing skills and, ultimately, enhancing feelings of self-efficacy.
Highlights
Physician advice is an important motivator for attempting to stop smoking
The analysis focused on the factors associated with physicians' tobacco counseling practices, including attitudes/ responsibility, self-efficacy and knowledge/skills
Some authors have reported an association between perceived professional responsibility [31] and attitudes towards smoking cessation counseling [9], the present study did not find a significant correlation between responsibility/attitudes and tobacco-related practices
Summary
Physician advice is an important motivator for attempting to stop smoking. physicians' lack of intervention with smokers has only modestly improved in the last decade. Many studies have explored the reasons why physicians do not follow tobacco counseling recommendations These include physicians' belief that their patients do not want any assistance in quitting smoking [4]; lack of knowledge to provide smoking cessation [5,6,7,8]; negative attitudes toward smoking cessation counseling [9,10]; lack of training in smoking-cessation counseling [11]; and lack of familiarity with smoking counseling and treatment guidelines [12].
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