Sustained Effects of a Systems-Based Strategy for Tobacco Cessation Assistance.

INTRODUCTION: Primary care settings that serve lower-income patients are critical for reducing tobacco-related disparities; however, tobacco-related care in these settings remains low. This study examined whether processes for the provision of tobacco cessation care are sustained 18 and 24 months after implementing a health system-level intervention consisting of electronic health record functionality changes and expansion of rooming staff roles. METHODS: This nonrandomized stepped-wedge study included electronic health record data from adults with ≥1 primary care visit to 1 of 8 community-based clinics between August 2016 and September 2019. Generalized estimating equations methods were used to compute ORs of asking about tobacco use and among those who use tobacco, providing brief advice to quit and assessing readiness to quit, contrasting 18 and 24 months after implementation to both preimplementation (baseline) and 12 months after implementation. Using a 2-level model of patients clustered in clinics, outcomes were examined over time by clinic site. Analyses were conducted in 2022. RESULTS: A total of 305,665 patient visits were evaluated. Significantly higher odds of all 3 outcomes were observed at 18 and 24 months than at baseline. The odds of asking about tobacco use increased, whereas the odds of advising to quit were similar at 18 and 24 months to those at 12 months. Odds of assessing readiness to quit decreased at 18 months (OR=0.71; 95% CI=0.63, 0.80) and 24 months (OR=0.46; 95% CI=0.40, 0.52). Performance varied significantly by clinical site. CONCLUSIONS: Health system changes can have a sustained impact on tobacco assessment and the provision of brief advice among lower-income patients. Strategies to sustain assessment of readiness to quit are warranted.

"I got a little addiction": Adolescent and young adult cigarillo users' self-perceptions of addiction.

BACKGROUND: While prior research has informed how cigarette smokers understand and apply the term addiction, little is known about how this term is used by cigarillo smokers. This is an important area of study given the decline in cigarette use and increase in cigar product consumption. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: This paper examines how cigarillo smokers self-identify in terms of addiction and the association of this identification with tobacco use, quitting experiences, and level of nicotine dependence. METHODS: Transcripts from semi-structured interviews conducted in 2015-2016 with 57 participants (aged 14-28) about cigarillo use and beliefs were analyzed using a phenomenological approach to examine themes around addiction and cessation experiences. Analyses were limited to participants endorsing having a habit. Quantitative analyses were conducted to assess associations with demographics, tobacco use, addiction, cessation, and nicotine dependence for two groups: participants endorsing having an addiction to cigarillos and those who did not. RESULTS: All participants described the term addiction similarly. Participants with an addiction had significantly higher nicotine dependence and self-rating of addiction than those without an addiction. Although most quitting experiences did not differ between the two groups, participants who did not identify as addicted felt that they could quit smoking cigarillos at any time. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in identification with addiction are not associated with differences in definitions, use and quit experiences. Understanding self-perceptions of addiction can inform targeted communication to encourage cessation and the use of cessation resources.

Characteristics of Patients Engaging in Quitline Counseling After an Electronic Referral.

INTRODUCTION: Proactive, electronic referral of primary care patients to quitlines has great potential to provide evidence-based tobacco-cessation assistance to tobacco users. However, the quitline contact rates and engagement of individuals beyond 1 counseling call are poor. This study examines the characteristics of electronically referred patients who engage with the quitline. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 2,407 primary care patients who reported using tobacco and accepted an electronic referral to the quitline. Outcomes included contact, enrollment, and receipt of ≥2 counseling sessions from the quitline. All measures were assessed from the electronic health record. The association of patient characteristics and outcomes was evaluated using logistic regression modeling with generalized estimating equation methods. Data were collected in 2016‒2018 and were analyzed in 2020. RESULTS: Among 2,407 referred patients, 794 (33.0%) were contacted; of those, 571 enrolled (71.9%); and of those, 240 (42.0%) engaged in ≥2 quitline counseling sessions. In multivariable analyses, older adults (aged 50-64 and ≥65 years) were significantly more likely to be contacted (OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.6, 3.4) and to receive ≥2 counseling sessions (OR=2.34, 95% CI=1.2, 4.7) than those aged 18-34 years. Those with both Medicare and Medicaid insurance coverage were more likely than those with Medicaid only to be contacted (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.4, 2.2), to enroll (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.2, 2.9), and to receive ≥2 counseling sessions (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.2, 2.9). CONCLUSIONS: The current quitline phone-based approach is less likely to engage younger adults and those with Medicaid coverage; however, there is a need to improve quitline engagement across all patients. Identification and testing of alternative engagement approaches are needed.

A cluster randomized trial evaluating a teachable moment communication process for tobacco cessation support.

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the uptake of a clinician-focused teachable moment communication process (TMCP) and its impact on patient receipt of tobacco cessation support. The TMCP is a counseling method that uses patient concerns to help clinicians guide behavior change discussions about tobacco. We evaluate the added value of the TMCP training in a health system that implemented an Ask-Advise-Connect (AAC) systems-based approach. METHODS: A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial included eight community health centers. Training involved a web module and onsite skill development with standardized patients and coaching. Main outcome measures included contact and enrollment in cessation services among patients referred for counseling, prescription of cessation medications and quit attempts. RESULTS: Forty-four of 60 eligible clinicians received the TMCP training. Among TMCP-trained clinicians 68% used a TMCP approach (documented by flowsheet use) one or more times, with the median number of uses being 15 (IQR 2-33). Overall, the TMCP was used in 661 out of 8198 visits by smokers (8%). There was no improvement in any of the tobacco cessation assistance outcomes for the AAC + TMCP vs. the AAC only period. Visits where clinicians used the TMCP approach were associated with increased ordering of tobacco cessation medications, (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.9, 3.5) and providing advice to quit OR 3.2 (95% CI 2.2, 4.7). CONCLUSIONS: Despite high fidelity to the training, uptake of the TMCP approach in routine practice was poor, making it difficult to evaluate the impact on patient outcomes. When the TMCP approach was used, ordering tobacco cessation medications increased. IMPLICATIONS: Tobacco cessation strategies in primary care have the potential to reach a large portion of the population and deliver advice tailored to the patient. The poor uptake of the approach despite high training fidelity suggests that additional implementation support strategies, are needed to increase sustainable adoption of the TMCP approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov #NCT02764385 , registration date 06/05/2016.

Cigarillo and multiple tobacco product use and nicotine dependence in adolescents and young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple tobacco product (MTP) use is a growing public health concern, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This study identifies subgroups of MTP use among cigarillo users and examines associations with nicotine dependence (ND). METHODS: 1089 youth (ages 14-28) who currently smoke cigarillos completed a web-based survey regarding their current use of cigarillos, little cigars, traditional cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and waterpipe/hookah. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of product use by type and amount. The LCA also assessed the relationship between the latent classes and a 38-item measure of ND, controlling for relevant demographics. RESULTS: Most participants (88.2%) reported using two or more tobacco products in the past 30 days. The best-fitting LCA solution revealed 7 classes: (1) Mixed-Light tipped cigarillo and light cigarette users, 28.9%; (2) Light tipped cigarillo users, 15.8%; (3) Light untipped cigarillo users, 14.3%; (4) Heavy tipped cigarillo users, 13.4%; (5) E-cigarette and waterpipe users, 11.9%; (6) Heavy users of tipped and untipped cigarillos and light users of cigarettes, 9.8%; and (7) Dabblers who primarily used traditional cigars, but were also likely to use a variety of other products, 6.1%. Classes comprised of those using multiple products-particularly those that included cigarettes-had significantly higher levels of ND than other classes (Tukey's HSD P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Distinct patterns of MTP use are evident among young cigarillo smokers. Smoking multiple products, particularly smoking cigarillos in combination with cigarettes, is associated with higher ND compared to other product use patterns.

Quitting the quitline: a qualitative study of patient experience of electronic referrals to quitlines.

BACKGROUND: The use of electronic referrals (eReferrals) to state quitlines (QLs) for tobacco-using patients is a promising approach for addressing smoking cessation on a large scale. However, QL contact, enrollment, and completion rates are low. The purpose of this study was to examine the eReferral to QL process from the patient's perspective in order to inform strategies for improving QL engagement. METHODS: We conducted interviews with 55 patients who agreed to an eReferral at a primary care visit to 1 of 8 safety-net community health centers in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (September 2017-August 2018). Interviews were designed to explore the experiences of three subgroups of patients who subsequently: 1) declined participation in the QL; 2) were unreachable by the QL; or 3) were enrolled in or had completed the QL program. Analysis was guided by a phenomenological approach designed to identify emergent themes. RESULTS: Reasons for QL program non-completion included changing life circumstances and events making cessation unviable; misunderstandings about the QL; discomfort with telephonic counseling; perceived lack of time for counseling; cell phone barriers; and having already quit smoking. We found that some individuals who were no longer engaged with the QL still desired continued support from the QL. CONCLUSIONS: Participants intentionally and unintentionally disengage from the QL for a wide variety of reasons, several of which are mediated by low socioeconomic status. Integrating QL care with community-based resources that address these mediators could be a promising strategy.