Building capacity in tobacco control by establishing the Eastern Europe Nurses' Center of Excellence for Tobacco Control.

INTRODUCTION: Properly educated nurses delivering evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment could contribute to improving health and reducing regional disparities in tobacco-related disease and death in Central and Eastern Europe. The aims of this study are to describe development of the Eastern European Nurses' Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Control (COE) and evaluate its online educational program on tobacco dependence treatment using the 5As framework. METHODS: The online education evaluation followed a prospective, single group, pre- and post-assessment of changes in nurses' self-reported tobacco cessation interventions. Leaders from five Eastern European countries (Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) developed protocols for in-country tobacco control education. Nurses responded to a baseline survey, accessed an online nursing educational program, and completed a follow-up survey at 3 months, in the period December 2015 to June 2016. A total of 695 nurses from five countries answered questions on cessation interventions at baseline and of these 507 (73%) completed a follow-up survey at 3 months. RESULTS: At the follow-up at 3 months, the 507 nurses self-reported a significant increase in providing all 5A components, i.e. nurses were significantly (p<0.0001) more likely to always /usually advise a patient to quit, assess interest in quitting (p=0.002), assist with a quit plan, review barriers to quitting and recommend a smoke-free home post-discharge (all p<0.0001). They were also significantly more likely (p=0.01) to agree or strongly agree that nurses have an obligation to advise patients on the risks of smoking. There was a significant increase (p<0.0001) in nurses' estimate of the number of patients they provided a cessation intervention the previous week. Nurses who smoked were 60% more likely to assist and arrange compared to nurses who never smoked. CONCLUSIONS: Coordinating multi-country activities through a COE was successful in engaging a network of nurses to use an online educational program and participate in other tobacco control activities.

A narrative review of facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation and tobacco-dependence treatment in patients with tuberculosis in low- and middle-income countries.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a substantial cause of premature death in patients with tuberculosis (TB), particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with high TB prevalence. The importance of incorporating smoking cessation and tobacco-dependence treatment (TDT) into TB care is highlighted in the most recent TB care guidelines. Our objective is to identify the likely key facilitators of and barriers to smoking cessation for patients with TB in LMICs. METHODS: A systematic search of studies with English-language abstracts published between January 2000 and May 2019 was undertaken in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, EBSCO, ProQuest, Cochrane and Web of Science databases. Data extraction was followed by study-quality assessment and a descriptive and narrative synthesis of findings. RESULTS: Out of 267 potentially eligible articles, 36 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of non-randomized studies was variable; low risk of bias was assessed in most randomized controlled studies. Identified facilitators included brief, repeated interventions, personalized behavioural counselling, offer of pharmacotherapy, smoke-free homes and a reasonable awareness of smoking-associated risks. Barriers included craving for a cigarette, low level of education, unemployment, easy access to tobacco in the hospital setting, lack of knowledge about quit strategies, and limited space and privacy at the clinics. Findings show that the risk of smoking relapse could be reduced through consistent follow-up upon completion of TB therapy and receiving a disease-specific smoking cessation message. CONCLUSIONS: Raising awareness of smoking-related health risks in patients with TB and implementing guideline-recommended standardized TDT within national TB programmes could increase smoking cessation rates in this high-risk population.

"Everyone Needs a Breath of Fresh Air": Workplace Impact on Nurses' Smoking Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Europe continues to have among the highest worldwide prevalence of adult smoking (28%) and the highest among females (19%). Nurses' rates of smoking in the region are comparable or higher than the general female population. Nurses who smoke are less likely to intervene with patients who smoke; therefore, supporting nurses' efforts to quit is critical to promoting nurses' well-being and strengthening the profession's impact on prevention of tobacco-induced diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions of hospital workplace factors that influence nurses' smoking and quitting behaviors in Central and Eastern Europe. METHODS: Each country had a project director involved in the recruitment of participants and the translation of instruments. Using a moderator guide, focus groups (N = 9) about smoking and quitting were conducted in 5 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) among 82 nurses who self-reported as current or former smokers. Recorded transcripts were translated and analyzed using content analysis methods. RESULTS: The majority of nurses were female (94%) and currently smoking (65%). Four major themes were identified that describe workplace factors influencing nurses' smoking behaviors and efforts to quit: (1) taking breaks, (2) effect of smoking on patient interactions, (3) perceived collegial support for quitting, and (4) impact of workplace policies. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace factors influence nurses smoking and quitting behaviors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Changes in healthcare systems and policies are needed to support nurses' quit efforts. Additional education is needed to ensure that nurses understand issues related to smoking and interactions with patients.

Attitudes, barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation among Central and Eastern European nurses: A focus group study.

PURPOSE: Smoking among nurses is a barrier to providing smoking cessation interventions to patients. In Central and Eastern Europe-where tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease-there is limited knowledge about nurses' attitudes toward cessation interventions. Our aim was to describe the attitudes of nurses who are former and current smokers toward providing cessation interventions to patients as well as explore barriers and facilitators to their own quit efforts. METHODS: Nine focus groups with 81 nurses (94% females) in five Central and Eastern European countries. Content analysis was used to identify major themes. RESULTS: Nurses agreed that they should set a good example by not smoking; should be involved in helping patients stop smoking; and needed additional training in tobacco control. Five common themes were identified as barriers to quitting: smoking cues in the environment; presence of smokers in the environment; relapse postpartum; stress and nicotine addiction; and misperceptions about the dangers of smoking. Former smokers reported facilitators to quitting including: seeing the health consequences of smoking among their patients; personal and family health concerns; receiving support from family; and pregnancy. CONCLUSION: There is a need to build upon nurses' positive attitudes about engaging in smoking cessation interventions with patients to ensure that cessation interventions are standard nursing practice. Future studies should focus on programs that support nurses' quit efforts by addressing barriers to smoking cessation, which will improve their health and patient care.

A scoping review of trials of interventions led or delivered by cancer nurses.

BACKGROUND: Advances in research and technology coupled with an increased cancer incidence and prevalence have resulted in significant expansion of cancer nurse role, in order to meet the growing demands and expectations of people affected by cancer (PABC). Cancer nurses are also tasked with delivering an increasing number of complex interventions as a result of ongoing clinical trials in cancer research. However much of this innovation is undocumented, and we have little insight about the nature of novel interventions currently being designed or delivered by cancer nurses. OBJECTIVES: To identify and synthesise the available evidence from clinical trials on interventions delivered or facilitated by cancer nurses. DATA SOURCES AND REVIEW METHODS: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT), quasi-RCTs and controlled before and after studies (CBA) of cancer nursing interventions aimed at improving the experience and outcomes of PABC. Ten electronic databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, CDSR, DARE, HTA, WHO ICTRP) were searched between 01 January 2000 and 31 May 2016. No language restrictions were applied. Bibliographies of selected studies and relevant Cochrane reviews were also hand-searched. Interventions delivered by cancer nurses were classified according to the OMAHA System. Heat maps were used to highlight the volume of evidence available for different cancer groups, intervention types and stage of cancer care continuum. RESULTS: The search identified 22,450 records; we screened 16,169 abstracts and considered 925 full papers, of which 214 studies (247,550 participants) were included in the evidence synthesis. The majority of studies were conducted in Europe (n = 79) and USA (n = 74). Interventions were delivered across the cancer continuum from prevention and risk reduction to survivorship, with the majority of interventions delivered during the treatment phase (n = 137). Most studies (131/214) had a teaching, guidance or counselling component. Cancer nurse interventions were targeted at primarily breast, prostate or multiple cancers. No studies were conducted in brain, sarcoma or other rare cancer types. The majority of the studies (n = 153) were nurse-led and delivered by specialist cancer nurses (n = 74) or advanced cancer nurses (n = 29), although the quality of reporting was poor. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review to synthesise evidence from intervention studies across the entire cancer spectrum. As such, this work provides new insights into the nature of the contribution that cancer nurses have made to evidence-based innovations, as well as highlighting areas in which cancer nursing trials can be developed in the future.

The safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cytisine in achieving six-month continuous smoking abstinence in tuberculosis patients-protocol for a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tuberculosis (TB) patients who quit smoking have much better disease outcomes than those who continue to smoke. In general populations, behavioural support combined with pharmacotherapy is the most effective strategy in helping people to quit. However, there is no evidence for the effectiveness of this strategy in TB patients who smoke. We will assess the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cytisine-a low-cost plant-derived nicotine substitute-for smoking cessation in TB patients compared with placebo, over and above brief behavioural support. DESIGN: Two-arm, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre (30 sites in Bangladesh and Pakistan), individually randomized trial. SETTING: TB treatment centres integrated into public health care systems in Bangladesh and Pakistan. PARTICIPANTS: Newly diagnosed (in the last 4 weeks) adult pulmonary TB patients who are daily smokers (with or without dual smokeless tobacco use) and are interested in quitting (n = 2388). MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measure is biochemically verified continuous abstinence from smoking at 6 months post-randomization, assessed using Russell Standard criteria. The secondary outcome measures include continuous abstinence at 12 months, lapses and relapses; clinical TB outcomes; nicotine dependency and withdrawal; and adverse events. COMMENTS: This is the first smoking cessation trial of cytisine in low- and middle-income countries evaluating both cessation and TB outcomes. If found effective, cytisine could become the most affordable cessation intervention to help TB patients who smoke.

Protocol for the mixed-methods process and context evaluation of the TB & Tobacco randomised controlled trial in Bangladesh and Pakistan: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health problem in South Asia. Tobacco use increases the risks of TB infection and TB progression. The TB& Tobacco placebo-controlled randomised trial aims to (1) assess the effectiveness of the tobacco cessation medication cytisine versus placebo when combined with behavioural support and (2) implement tobacco cessation medication and behavioural support as part of general TB care in Bangladesh and Pakistan. This paper summarises the process and context evaluation protocol embedded in the effectiveness-implementation hybrid design. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We are conducting a mixed-methods process and context evaluation informed by an intervention logic model that draws on the UK Medical Research Council's Process Evaluation Guidance. Our approach includes quantitative and qualitative data collection on context, recruitment, reach, dose delivered, dose received and fidelity. Quantitative data include patient characteristics, reach of recruitment among eligible patients, routine trial data on dose delivered and dose received, and a COM-B ('capability', 'opportunity', 'motivation' and 'behaviour') questionnaire filled in by participating health workers. Qualitative data include semistructured interviews with TB health workers and patients, and with policy-makers at district and central levels in each country. Interviews will be analysed using the framework approach. The behavioural intervention delivery is audio recorded and assessed using a predefined fidelity coding index based on behavioural change technique taxonomy. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study complies with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethics approval for the study and process evaluation was granted by the University of Leeds (qualitative components), University of York (trial data and fidelity assessment), Bangladesh Medical Research Council and Bangladesh Drug Administration (trial data and qualitative components) and Pakistan Medical Research Council (trial data and qualitative components). Results of this research will be disseminated through reports to stakeholders and peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN43811467; Pre-results.

Recognizing European cancer nursing: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence of effectiveness and value of cancer nursing.

AIM: To identify, appraise and synthesize the available evidence relating to the value and impact of cancer nursing on patient experience and outcomes. BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance and contribution of cancer nurses, however, a comprehensive review examining how cancer nurses have an impact on care quality, patient outcomes and overall experience of cancer, as well as cost of services across the entire cancer spectrum is lacking. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis using Cochrane methods. METHODS: We will systematically search 10 electronic databases from 2000, with pre-determined search terms. No language restrictions will be applied. We will include all randomized and controlled before-and-after studies that compare cancer nursing interventions to a standard care or no intervention. Two reviewers will independently assess the eligibility of the studies and appraise methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion and may involve a third reviewer if necessary. Data from included studies will be extracted in accordance with the Template for intervention Description and Replication reporting guidelines. Missing data will be actively sought from all trialists. Data will be synthesized in evidence tables and narrative to answer three key questions. If sufficient data are available, we will perform meta-analyses. DISCUSSION: This review will allow us to systematically assess the impact of cancer nursing on patient care and experience. This evidence will be used to determine implications for clinical practice and used to inform future programme and policy decisions in Europe.

Nurses' Attitudes toward Intervening with Smokers: Their Knowledge, Opinion and E-Learning Impact.

BACKGROUND: Numbering about 90,000, nurses represent the largest group of health care providers in the Czech Republic. Therefore, nurses can make a significant impact in the treatment of tobacco dependence, particularly in applying brief interventions to smokers. METHODS: During 2014, 279 nurses from the Czech Republic participated in an e-learning education programme consisting of two Webcasts with additional web-based resources about smoking cessation in relation to health and treatment options in daily clinical practice, particularly regarding brief intervention methods. Before viewing the e-learning programme, and three months after viewing it, the nurses completed a questionnaire documenting their interventions with smokers and their knowledge, attitudes and opinions regarding nurses' roles in smoking cessation. RESULTS: The responses in all of the following categories significantly improved: usually/always asking patients about smoking from 58% to 69% (OR 1.62, CI=1.14-2.29, p=0.007); recommendations to stop smoking from 56% to 66% (OR 1.46, CI=1.03-2.06, p=0.03); assessing willingness to quit from 49% to 63% (OR 1.72, CI=1.23-2.42, p=0.002); assisting with cessation from 21% to 33% (OR 1.85, CI=1.26-2.71, p=0.002); and recommending a smoke-free home from 39% to 58% (OR 2.16, CI=1.54-3.04, p<0.001). The increase in arranging follow-up from 7% to 10% did not constitute a statistically significant improvement, however, this finding is understandable in relation to the status of nurses in the Czech Republic. However, nurses' confidence in helping smokers to quit smoking, their senses of responsibility and determining the appropriateness of these interventions remains inadequate. CONCLUSION: The nurses' brief intervention skills improved significantly after the completion of the e-learning programme, even though reservations remain among this group. The systematic education of nurses aimed at smoking cessation intervention and analyzing their motivation for treatment may contribute to improved nursing care, and thus lead to a reduction of smoking prevalence in the general population.