The effectiveness of two smoking cessation programmes for use in general practice: a randomised clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a structured, behavioural change, smoking cessation intervention designed for use within general practice.


METHODS
Randomised controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
General practices in Newcastle, Australia.


METHODS
311 Patients identified as smokers by a screening question were enrolled in the study. Of these, 101 were assigned to a structured behavioural change programme, 104 to a simple advice programme adapted from previous research, and 106 to a control group. No significant differences were found between groups for demographic and smoking related variables before the study.


METHODS
Patients in the simple advice group received a brief statement of advice from the general practitioner as well as three pamphlets; those in the structured intervention group were given strategies which included attitude and behavioural change programmes as well as techniques to aid compliance. The amount of smoking in all groups was assessed by self reports with validation by measurement of salivary cotinine concentrations.


METHODS
Significant increase in cessation rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences between controls and the structured behavioural change group were found at the one month follow up, but only for self reported abstinence. The simple advice programme did not produce any significant differences over the control group. General practitioner evaluation of the structured programme highlighted difficulties in relation to the duration of the intervention. Overall the structured programme in its present form did not appear to be an effective programme for use within general practice.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
K
K
Slama
S
S
Redman
J
J
Perkins
A L
AL
Reid
R W
RW
Sanson-Fisher
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000074606:Smoking Prevention