title: Report of two smoking cessation programs: telephone intervention and group sessions.
abstract: Matthew Thornton Health Plan (MTHP) offered two separate smoking cessation programs within the HMO setting. The two programs, telephone intervention with self-help materials and group counseling/education sessions, were evaluated over a 12-month period: both programs allowed members (n = 226) the option of choosing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). As an incentive, MTHP reimbursed members who were successful quitters at 6 months for the NRT or offered them a $50 savings bond. At 12 months, cessation rates for both groups were at or above 30% except among patients participating in group counseling/education and not receiving NRT where quit rates were about 20%. Though not a controlled research project, results suggest that active HMO intervention in smoking cessation can be successful. In these programs, the combination of behavioral support and a reimbursement plan were associated with high quit rates.
authors.affiliation: Matthew Thornton Health Plan, Nashua, NH, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Joslin
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fleszar
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Owens
mesh_terms: D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009538:Nicotine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013689:Telephone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States