The effect of linking community health centers to a state-level smoker's quitline on rates of cessation assistance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smoking cessation quitlines are an effective yet largely untapped resource for clinician referrals. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a fax referral system that links community health centers (CHCs) with the New York State Quitline on rates of provider cessation assistance.

Methods

This study was conducted in four CHCs using a quasi experimental study design. Two comparison sites offered usual care (expanded vital sign chart stamp that prompted providers to ask about tobacco use, advice smokers to quit, assess readiness, and offer assistance (4As)) and two intervention sites received the chart stamp plus an office-based fax referral link to the New York State Quitline. The fax referral system links patients to a free proactive telephone counseling

SUBMITTER: Shelley D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2823740 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature