A qualitative study of smokers’ assessments of four smoking cessation interventions delivered in a hospital emergency department.

Introduction:
This text is a qualitative study of smokers' assessments of four smoking cessation interventions delivered in a hospital emergency department. The study aimed to explore participants' attitudes towards the interventions, identify any important interactions, and gather suggestions for further tailoring. The study found that the interventions were generally well-received, and provision of smoking cessation interventions to ED patients led to reduced self-reported smoking for most.

Key Points:

* The study included 1056 adults who smoke and tested the efficacy of four smoking cessation interventions delivered in a hospital emergency department.
* The four interventions were nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), referral to a smokers' telephone quitline (QL), a brief negotiation interview (BNI), and the smartphone-enabled SmokefreeTXT program (TXT).
* The study found that two of the interventions, NRT and BNI, were clinically effective.
* Telephone interviews were conducted with participants at the end of the three-month study period to gather their assessments of the interventions.
* Participants' attitudes towards the interventions were generally positive, and they identified several themes, including Intervention Context, Intervention Content, Communications, and Recommendations.
* Provision of smoking cessation interventions to ED patients led to reduced self-reported smoking for most.
* Nicotine replacement therapy diminished cravings, while behavioral interventions provided social support that helped motivate and sustain behavior change.

Main Message:
The study provides evidence that smoking cessation interventions delivered in a hospital emergency department can be effective in reducing smoking. The interventions were generally well-received by participants, and the study suggests that pharmacological and behavioral interventions should be offered simultaneously, communication skills training should be provided to those who deliver the interventions, and interventions should respect participants' autonomy and preferences concerning decisions about intervention timing, frequency, and termination. The findings have important implications for the design and implementation of smoking cessation interventions in healthcare settings.

Grau LE, Jurczak E, Zahid M, et al. A qualitative study of smokers’ assessments of four smoking cessation interventions delivered in a hospital emergency department. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2022;237:109512. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109512