Abstract
Background Smoking is a public health problem. Supporting patients to achieve lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, is one way for the district nurse to promote health. Aim To investigate how the district nurse promotes health and supports patients in smoking cessation. Method A questionnaire was sent to 124 district nurses working with smoking cessation in a region in western Sweden. The questionnaire contained both closed and open questions. The responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and manifest content analysis. Findings The district nurses’ work includes motivating, educating, supporting, informing and following up patients in need of smoking cessation. In total, 63% of the district nurses consider themselves to have an important function in smoking cessation. Lack of time is a substantial problem and district nurses devote 1–10 hours per week on smoking cessation. Of the 124 nurses, 43% felt that they did not have enough knowledge about smoking cessation. The district nurses wished to benefit from the experience of other colleagues. Conclusion District nurses experience lack of time and knowledge. In order to provide quality support for smoking cessation, district nurses should possess medical knowledge and be empathic and involved.
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