Nicotine replacement therapy in a group model HMO.
OBJECTIVE
To examine patient response to a smoking cessation program that combined a nicotine replacement system (patch) with telephone support.


METHODS
Randomized trial.


METHODS
A large Midwestern HMO. PARTICIPANTS. Five hundred and nine smokers who attended orientation sessions where an overview of the study and the use of the nicotine patch was presented.


METHODS
All subjects received a prescription for a nicotine replacement patch (Prostep, Lederle Laboratories, Wayne, NJ). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups. Group I participants (n = 166) received no additional support. Group II participants (n = 167) were registered with a 24-hour telephone hotline. Group III participants (n = 167) were registered with the 24-hour telephone hotline and received four follow-up telephone calls from health educators.


METHODS
The primary outcome measure was smoking cessation. Subject satisfaction with study components was also evaluated.


RESULTS
Overall, there was no significant difference by group in smoking cessation rates: 20% of patients in all three groups were smoke-free after 12 months. Few patients (1%) used the telephone hotline. The telephone follow-up did not have an impact on cessation rates, and most patients (92%) reported that the orientation session was useful.


CONCLUSIONS
The study experience has helped the HMO evaluate various study components and has had an impact on currently used telephone intervention strategies and educational materials.
Rolnick
S J
SJ
Group Health Foundation/HealthPartners, Bloomington, MN 55440, USA. cheri.j.rolnick@healthpartners.com
Klevan
D
D
Cherney
L
L
Lando
H A
HA
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D015146:Midwestern United States; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy