Xian Shen1, Amy Bachyrycz2, Joe R Anderson3, Dale Tinker4, Dennis W Raisch5. 1. University of Maryland Baltimore School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA. 2. University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM, USA Walgreens, Albuquerque, NM, USA. 3. University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM, USA. 4. New Mexico Pharmaceutical Care Foundation, Albuquerque, NM, USA New Mexico Pharmacists Association, Albuquerque, NM, USA. 5. University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM, USA draisch@salud.unm.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The New Mexico Pharmaceutical Care Foundation provided a pharmacist-assisted tobacco cessation program from 2004 to 2010. In evaluating the program, discrepant 6-month quit rates were observed between pharmacies. OBJECTIVE: To identify participant- and pharmacy-specific factors associated with improved quit rates. METHODS: To supplement data regarding participant characteristics and quit rates, semistructured interviews of 7 participating pharmacists were conducted. Multivariate logistic regression quantified associations between successful abstinence at 6 months and participant characteristics and pharmacy-specific factors. RESULTS: Quit rates by pharmacy ranged from 1.1% to 59.4% (mean = 19.1%). There were 1235 participants enrolled at 7 pharmacies, and because of missing participant data, 883 were included in the quantitative analysis. Three pharmacy-specific characteristics distinguished 6-month success rates: number and duration of follow-ups and format of counseling sessions. Participants followed up at least 3 times were more likely to quit at 6 months than those contacted once or twice (odds ratio [OR] =4.9; 95% CI = 1.6-15.0). Compared with follow-ups of <15 minutes, longer durations of follow-ups were associated with higher success rates: 15 to 30 minutes, OR = 7.2, 95% CI = 3.7-14.3); >30 minutes, OR = 10.0, 95% CI = 3.5-28.9. Participants who attended group sessions were more likely to quit at 6 months than those who attended individual sessions: OR = 8.2; 95% CI = 2.8-23.9. Most pharmacists (88%) noted that participants' high or low commitment to quit was associated with success or failure, respectively. Several pharmacists (43%) noted difficulties with follow-up associated with participants' relapse. Time constraints were an obstacle noted by 70% of pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy-specific factors, including counseling format and program intensity, affected success.
BACKGROUND: The New Mexico Pharmaceutical Care Foundation provided a pharmacist-assisted tobacco cessation program from 2004 to 2010. In evaluating the program, discrepant 6-month quit rates were observed between pharmacies. OBJECTIVE: To identify participant- and pharmacy-specific factors associated with improved quit rates. METHODS: To supplement data regarding participant characteristics and quit rates, semistructured interviews of 7 participating pharmacists were conducted. Multivariate logistic regression quantified associations between successful abstinence at 6 months and participant characteristics and pharmacy-specific factors. RESULTS: Quit rates by pharmacy ranged from 1.1% to 59.4% (mean = 19.1%). There were 1235 participants enrolled at 7 pharmacies, and because of missing participant data, 883 were included in the quantitative analysis. Three pharmacy-specific characteristics distinguished 6-month success rates: number and duration of follow-ups and format of counseling sessions. Participants followed up at least 3 times were more likely to quit at 6 months than those contacted once or twice (odds ratio [OR] =4.9; 95% CI = 1.6-15.0). Compared with follow-ups of <15 minutes, longer durations of follow-ups were associated with higher success rates: 15 to 30 minutes, OR = 7.2, 95% CI = 3.7-14.3); >30 minutes, OR = 10.0, 95% CI = 3.5-28.9. Participants who attended group sessions were more likely to quit at 6 months than those who attended individual sessions: OR = 8.2; 95% CI = 2.8-23.9. Most pharmacists (88%) noted that participants' high or low commitment to quit was associated with success or failure, respectively. Several pharmacists (43%) noted difficulties with follow-up associated with participants' relapse. Time constraints were an obstacle noted by 70% of pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy-specific factors, including counseling format and program intensity, affected success.