Abstract
Tobacco dependence is a prevalent, chronic, and complex addiction that often leads to long-term disease and death. However, few healthcare providers are sufficiently trained and feel comfortable in delivering tobacco dependence treatment. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of an accredited online Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) training program that uses a novel, asynchronous approach. We compared the characteristics of participants who completed the program to those who did not complete the program. Changes in knowledge and attitudes in providing tobacco dependence treatment were measured, and satisfaction with the program and intent to pursue national certification were assessed. Participants who were more likely to complete the program were those who discussed quitting less frequently with patients prior to course enrollment. These participants had a significant increase in knowledge and high satisfaction with the course. Approximately half of participants who completed the program indicated that they would pursue obtaining a national certificate in tobacco dependence treatment in the next 2 years.
Highlights
Tobacco dependence is a complex, chronic, relapsing addiction to nicotine that significantly contributes to chronic disease development and death [1]
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BREATHE Treatment Specialist (TTS) Training
A total of 210 people enrolled in bi-monthly cohorts of the BREATHE training program between September 2017 and December 2019
Summary
Tobacco dependence is a complex, chronic, relapsing addiction to nicotine that significantly contributes to chronic disease development and death [1]. Most clinicians do not have advanced or specialized training in evidence-based treatments for tobacco dependence [2], and they express discomfort with counseling patients about cessation [3]. Evidence-based, intensive tobacco treatment enhances quitting, when provided by persons with advanced training in these treatment strategies [9,10]. There is a lack of adequate knowledge and skills-based training for healthcare providers in tobacco dependence treatment, including those needed to deliver intensive counseling. It has only been in recent years that content, albeit sparse, related to treating tobacco dependence has been incorporated into medical school curricula in the United States [11], despite a globally identified need for this training [12,13]
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