The Pharmacists' Challenges in the Provision of Smoking Cessation Counseling Service Survey

1. The Pharmacists' Challenges in the Provision of Smoking Cessation Counseling Service Survey Prof. T. H. Lam, Chair Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine School of Public Health,The University of Hong Kong Dr. Sophia S. C. Chan, Head, Department of Nursing Studies, The University of Hong Kong May 10, 2007

2. Survey Overview

3. 1. HK people’s needs of smoking cessation counseling services

4. All respondents' workplaceprovides smoking cessation products Q: Does your workplace offer any smoking cessation products？ Successful sample：77

5. About 90% respondents' workplace offers NRT-gum, NRT-spray and NRT-patch Q: What kind of smoking cessation products does your workplace offer? Successful sample：77 (multiple answers)

6. In the recent week, on average 4 customers asked respondents about smoking cessation Q: In the recent week, on average, how many customers asked you about smoking cessation ？ Mean: 4 customers asked Successful sample： 77

7. In the recent week, on average, 3 customerspurchased smoking cessation products from the respondents Q: In the recent week, on average, how many customers purchased smoking cessation products from you ？ Mean: 3 customers purchased Successful sample： 77

8. In the recent week, 2 out of every ten customers who purchased smoking cessation productsasked respondents about smoking cessation counseling services Q: In the recent week, how many out of every ten customers who purchased smoking cessation products asked you about smoking cessation counseling services? Mean: 2 customers purchased smoking cessation products asked about smoking cessation counseling services Successful sample： 72

9. In the recent week, 86% of respondents asked their customers about their smoking habit Q: In the recent week, have you ever asked your customers about their smoking habit? Successful sample ： 76

10. In the recent week, on average, respondents have asked 3 customers about their smoking habit Q: (Only for those who asked their customers on their smoking habit) How many customers have you asked in the recent week? Mean: on average, community pharmacists asked 3 customers about their smoking habit Successful sample： 67

11. 88% respondents’ customers asked about the instruction of using smoking cessation products Q: What kind of questions did your customers ask about smoking cessation? Successful sample：74 (multiple answers)

12. 38% of respondents are often proactive in providingcounseling services to customers who purchased smoking cessation products Q: Are you proactive in providing counseling services to those who purchased smoking cessation products? Successful sample： 76

13. 18% of respondents can identify quittersand are often proactive in providing counseling services Q: Are you able to identify the potential quitters and proactive in providing counseling services? Successful sample： 76

14. In recent week, on average, 2 out of every ten respondents’customers refused to accept counseling services Q: In the recent week, on average, how many out of ten customers refuse your counseling services? Mean: on average, 2 out of every ten respondents’ customers refused to accept counseling services Successful sample： 54 (Inactive in providing service and no comment is not included)

15. When customers refused listening to their advice,78% respondents would provide leaflet or additional info Q: What would you do when your customers refused listening to your advice? Successful sample：72 (multiple answers)

16. Respondents think the reason for customer not listening to their advice was that customers think they can manage the process themselves Q: Do you know why your customers did not listen to your advice？ Successful Sample：69 (multiple answers)

17. 2. The importance of counseling services to smoking cessation outcomes

18. Respondents consider the key driver for successful smoking cessation is: The will power and determination of the quitter Q: How important are the following factors in contributing to the success of smoking cessation? (0= completely no impact，5=have significant impact) (N=77) (N=77) (N=75) (N=77) (N=75) (N=75)

19. 3. The mindset of quitters in the smoking cessation process

20. 74% Respondents consider the most common perception of smoking cessationamongst quitters arequitting smoking will lead to weight gain Q: Which of the following do you think the quitters would agree with? Successful sample：76 (multiple answers)

21. In the recent 3 months, amongst those who was contacted by respondents,14% of them set a smoking cessation plan Q: How many of those you have contacted set a smoking cessation plan for themselves? Successful sample： 77 Mean: 14% of customers set a smoking cessation plan

22. In the recent 3 months, amongst those who have contacted by respondents,65% considered it takes 3 months or less for quitting smoking successfully Q: In the recent 3 months, amongst those you have contacted, how long do they think they will need to spend in order to quit smoking successfully? Successful sample： 77 Mean: 12 months

23. 66% of respondents consider themselves capable of setting a practical plan for the quitters Q: Do you think if you can help quitters to set a practical plan of smoking cessation? Successful sample： 77

24. Respondents consider they are 38% successful in helping quitters quit smoking Q: How successful do you think you are in helping quitters quit smoking? Mean: respondents are 38% successful in helping quitters quit smoking Successful sample： 74

25. 84% of the respondents considerthey are more than half confident in helping quitters quit smoking successfully Q: How confident do you think you are in helping quitters quit smoking? Mean: 84% of the respondents consider they are more than half confident in helping quitters quit smoking successfully Successful sample： 74

26. 50% of the respondents considerthey are capable in helping quitters quit smoking successfully Q: How capable do you think you are in helping quitters quit smoking successfully？ Mean: respondents consider they are capable in helping quitters quit smoking successfully Successful sample：74

27. Conclusion

28. Low Utilization of Smoking Cessation Counseling • The survey was the first such study on pharmacists in Hong Kong. The response rate was 73%, which was good. • 90 per cent of pharmacists said that various smoking cessation products such as NRT-gum, NRT-spray and NRT-patch, are being offered in the pharmacies they work. Yet smokers fail to make use of those products as they seldom seek help from pharmacists, who are more than happy to help.

29. Pharmacists Counseling on Smoking Cessation Boost Success • Since the 2 mg NRT products are freely accessible over-the-counter, smokers easily by-pass the pharmacists. As such, they miss the chance of getting the best treatment as well as developing an effective smoking cessation plan. • Different smokers have different needs. Well-trained pharmacists can provide customized services that are far more effective. • Smokers should seek help from pharmacists promptly.

30. NRT + Pharmacist’s Counseling Boost Success • It takes determination, usage of NRT, pharmacist assistance, and good planning in order to quit smoking successfully • To be effective, quitters should use NRT products continuously for at least eight weeks. In general, the therapy takes around two to three months to complete. • Smokers should be on their guard not to smoke again afterwards. • As the Kong Kong Council on Smoking and Health says, “Don’t be defeated by the cigarette!”

31. Respondents Profile

32. Gender Successful sample： 74

33. Age Mean Age: 37 Successful sample：74

34. Professional Qualifications Successful sample： 74

35. Duration of Practice Successful sample： 74 Mean Duration of Practice: 7 years

36. Smoking Habit Successful sample： 74