Smoking cessation

Exploring pregnant women's experiences of stopping smoking with an incentive scheme with 'enhanced' support: a qualitative study (2023)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):McCormack F.C.; Hopley R.C.; Boath E.H.; Parry S.L.; Roscoe S.M.; Stewart A.; *Birch V.A.

Citation:erspectives in Public Health. 143(5) (pp 285-291), 2023. Date of Publication: September 2023.

Abstract:Aim: This study aims to understand pregnant women's experiences of smoking cessation with an incentive scheme in a deprived UK city. This is important because smoking cessation with pregnant women is one of the most crucial public health initiatives to promote, and is particularly challenging in deprived areas. While financial incentive schemes are controversial, there is a need to better understand pregnant women's experiences. The scheme combined quasi-financial incentives (shopping vouchers) for validated quits (carbon monoxide (CO) validated at < 10 ppm), enhanced support from smoking cessation advisors, the opportunity to identify a 'Significant Other Supporter' and nicotine replacement therapy. Method(s): With the focus on understanding pregnant women's experiences, a qualitative design was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 12 pregnant women from the scheme, and the three advisors. All interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis conducted. Result(s): Pregnant women reported various challenges to quitting, including long-established routines, and stress. Participants were aware of stigma around incentives but were all very positive about the scheme. The relationship with advisors was described as fundamental. The women valued their advice and support, while uptake of the 'Significant Other Supporter' appeared low. Participants viewed the CO monitoring as 'an incentive', while the vouchers were framed as a 'bonus'. Advisors perceived the vouchers as helping engage pregnant women and maintain quit status, and women appreciated the vouchers both as financial assistance and recognition of their accomplishments. Conclusion(s): This study highlights the great value women placed on the support, advice and monitoring from specialist advisors. The distinction between vouchers as a welcomed bonus, rather than 'the incentive' to engage, is important. How smoking cessation and schemes to promote this are communicated to pregnant women and health professionals is important, particularly given the stigma and controversy involved.

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Smoking cessation and best medical therapy (BMT) how well are vascular surgeons doing? (2015)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
Slade R., *Sukha A., *Sykes T.

Citation:
International Journal of Surgery, November 2015, vol./is. 23/(S131)

Abstract:
Aim: BMT is a key component in the management of patients with vascular disease. The aim of this study is to determine how well BMT is documented in the correspondence to primary care with particular reference to the preoperative clinic letter and discharge summary following a surgical intervention. Methods: Patients between Jan-Jun 2014 were identified from a prospectively maintained vascular-database and the corresponding clinic letters and discharge summaries were retrieved. Results: 107 patients underwent vascular surgery between Jan-Jun 2014. The operations identified were: AAA repair n=21,Carotid endarterectomy n=23,Femoral endarterectomy n= 12,Vascular bypass n=43 and Revision surgery n=8. Overall, antiplatelet therapy was documented in 79%(n=85) of pre: operative clinic letters and 96%(n=103) of discharge summaries. Similarly, lipid-lowering therapy was recorded in 79%(n=85) and 92%(n=98). Smoking status was recorded in 32 %(n=34) of pre-operative clinic letters; 21%(n=23) were smokers and all identified smokers were offered advice to stop smoking. Conclusion: Documentation of smoking status and advice is poorly recorded in the pre and post -operative correspondence to primary care and unrecorded in the discharge summary. Similarly, pre-operative anti platelet and lipid lowering therapy documentation is suboptimal. 'Best Medical Therapy,' has been implemented into a standardised clinic template and a 'smoking status/advice' section in the electronically generated discharge summary has been implemented.