Dataset Information

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tobacco Treatment Program Implementation at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cancer screening and treatment delivery, but COVID-19's impact on tobacco cessation treatment for cancer patients who smoke has not been widely explored.

Methods

We conducted a sequential cross-sectional analysis of data collected from 34 NCI-designated cancer centers participating in NCI's Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I), across three reporting periods: one prior to COVID-19 (January-June 2019) and two during the pandemic (January-June 2020, January-June 2021). Using McNemar's Test of Homogeneity, we assessed changes in services offered and implementation activities over time.

Results

The proportion of centers offering remote treatment services increased each year for Quitline referrals (56%, 68%, and 91%; p=.000), telephone counseling (59%, 79%, and 94%; p=.002), and referrals to Smokefree TXT (27%, 47%, and 56%; p=.006). Centers offering video-based counseling increased from 2020 to 2021 (18% to 59%; p=.006), Fewer than 10% of centers reported laying off tobacco treatment staff. Compared to early 2020, in 2021 C3I centers reported improvements in their ability to maintain staff and clinician morale, refer to external treatment services, train providers to deliver tobacco treatment, and modify clinical workflows.

Discussion

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid transition to new telehealth program delivery of tobacco treatment for patients with cancer. C3I cancer centers adjusted rapidly to challenges presented by the pandemic, with improvements reported in staff morale and ability to train providers, refer patients to tobacco treatment, and modify clinical workflows. These factors enabled C3I centers to sustain evidence-based tobacco treatment implementation during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implications

This work describes how NCI-designated cancer centers participating in the Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I) adapted to challenges to sustain evidence-based tobacco use treatment programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work offers a model for resilience and rapid transition to remote tobacco treatment services delivery and proposes a policy and research agenda for telehealth services as an approach to sustaining evidence-based tobacco treatment programs.

SUBMITTER: Hohl SD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9384385 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tobacco Treatment Program Implementation at National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers.

Hohl Sarah D SD Shoenbill Kimberly A KA Taylor Kathryn L KL Minion Mara M Bates-Pappas Gleneara E GE Hayes Rashelle B RB Nolan Margaret B MB Simmons Vani N VN Steinberg Michael B MB Park Elyse R ER Ashing Kimlin K Beneventi Diane D Sanderson Cox Lisa L Goldstein Adam O AO King Andrea A Kotsen Chris C Presant Cary A CA Sherman Scott E SE Sheffer Christine E CE Warren Graham W GW Adsit Robert T RT Bird Jennifer E JE D'Angelo Heather H Fiore Michael C MC Van Thanh Nguyen Claire C Pauk Danielle D Rolland Betsy B Rigotti Nancy A NA

Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 20230101 2

<h4>Introduction</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cancer screening and treatment delivery, but COVID-19's impact on tobacco cessation treatment for cancer patients who smoke has not been widely explored.<h4>Aims and methods</h4>We conducted a sequential cross-sectional analysis of data collected from 34 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers participating in NCI's Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I), across three reporting periods: one prior to COVID-19 (January-June 2 ...[more]

PMID: 35778237

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