A survey of smoking cessation knowledge, training, and practice among U.S. Army general medical officers.
BACKGROUND
Historically, cigarette-smoking rates have been higher among military personnel than among civilians, although recently these rates have decreased.


METHODS
In March 1997, a questionnaire assessing (1) training received on smoking cessation, (2) objective knowledge of smoking-cessation techniques, (3) frequency of practice habits, and (4) personal tobacco use among physicians, was successfully mailed to 232 of the total population of 279 Army general medical officers (GMOs).


RESULTS
One-hundred-fifty (65%) GMOs returned questionnaires. Of these, 3.3% reported personal cigarette smoking, and 7.3% regularly used smokeless tobacco. During internship, few (13%) GMOs received smoking-cessation training. Primary care programs provided training more frequently than did surgery internship programs. The mean score on the objective knowledge portion was 72%. GMOs had a variable practice pattern in their use of smoking-cessation techniques (percent answering "usually" or "always"): helping patients set quit dates (35%), offering to prescribe the nicotine patch (59%), referring patients to a behavior-modification program (86%). Physicians who received training during internship were significantly more likely (p < 0.01) to help their patients set a quit date. Training did not result in a statistically increased frequency of other practice habits.


CONCLUSIONS
GMOs received minimal training on smoking cessation during internship. GMOs refer patients to smoking-cessation classes, reflecting the strategy of the Army Health Promotion program. Strategies to increase the frequency that GMOs prescribe nicotine replacement and assist patients in setting a quit date are needed. Military smoking-cessation efforts may provide valuable lessons for the civilian community.
Hepburn
M J
MJ
Department of Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA. Matthew.Hepburn@AMEDD.Army.Mil
Johnson
J M
JM
Ward
J A
JA
Longfield
J N
JN
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011336:Probability; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas