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Oncologist provision of smoking cessation support: A national survey of Australian medical and radiation oncologists
Author(s) -
Day Fiona L.,
Sherwood Emma,
Chen Tina Y.,
Barbouttis Margaret,
Varlow Megan,
Martin Jarad,
Weber Marianne,
Sitas Freddy,
Paul Christine
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
asia‐pacific journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1743-7563
pISSN - 1743-7555
DOI - 10.1111/ajco.12876
Subject(s) - medicine , smoking cessation , referral , family medicine , psychological intervention , health care , nursing , pathology , economics , economic growth
Aim Continued smoking in patients diagnosed with cancer affects treatment outcomes and overall survival. With national surveys of Australian medical oncologists (MO) and radiation oncologists (RO) we sought to determine current clinical practices, preferences and barriers in providing patient smoking cessation support. Methods Oncologist members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia ( n = 452) and Trans‐Tasman Radiation Oncology Group ( n = 230) were invited to participate in a multiple choice survey exploring smoking cessation practices and beliefs. Results The survey response rate was 43%. At first consultations more than 90% of MO and RO regularly asked patients if they smoke or use tobacco products, closely followed by documentation of duration of smoking history and current level of consumption. Less common was asking the patient if they intended to quit (MO 63%, RO 53%) and advising cessation (MO 70%, RO 72%). Less than 50% of oncologists regularly asked about current smoking in follow‐up consultations. Although a range of referral options for smoking cessation care were used by oncologists, only 2% of MO and 3% of RO actively managed the patients’ smoking cessation themselves and this was the least preferred option. The majority believed they require more training in cessation interventions (67% MO, 57% RO) and cited multiple additional barriers to providing cessation care. Conclusions Oncologists strongly prefer smoking cessation interventions to be managed by other health workers. A collaborative approach with other health professionals is needed to aid the provision of comprehensive smoking cessation care tailored to patients with cancer.