Summary
Introduction:
This article presents the findings of a survey administered to resident physicians in one healthcare system in Columbus, Ohio regarding their use and recommendations of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for smoking cessation. The survey aimed to determine factors associated with resident physician adoption of e-cigarettes in clinical practice.
Key Points:
* The survey had a response rate of 42% and included 142 residents.
* 17.7% of residents reported recommending e-cigarettes to their patients for the past 6 months or longer.
* Residents in their third postgraduate year, those exposed to peer-reviewed articles on e-cigarettes, and those who believe e-cigarettes have less addictive potential than traditional cigarettes were more likely to recommend e-cigarettes.
* Most residents have not recommended e-cigarettes to their patients and require further education on their efficacy and long-term safety.
Main Message:
The study highlights the need for evidence-based education on e-cigarettes for resident physicians. Despite the increasing use of e-cigarettes, few residents recommend them to their patients for smoking cessation. Residents who adopt a risk reduction strategy consider e-cigarettes less addictive than traditional cigarettes, supporting harm reduction strategies over strict abstinence. However, most residents report knowledge deficits regarding safety and use of e-cigarettes and primary sources of information are from advertisements or word of mouth. Additional research on the harms and benefits of these devices is needed, and evidence-based information on use and efficacy should be disseminated to physicians for informed decision-making.
Citation
Egnot, Eric, Kim Jordan, and John O Elliott. “Associations with Resident Physicians’ Early Adoption of Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation.” Postgraduate Medical Journal 93, no. 1100 (June 1, 2017): 319–25. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134058.
