title: A free smoking intervention clinic initiated by medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a medical student-run smoking intervention clinic, report initial outcomes, and assess medical student competence in smoking intervention counseling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volunteer medical students of Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn, staffed a free smoking intervention clinic in conjunction with the Salvation Army Free Acute Care Clinic between December 1997 and January 1999. Patients received a comprehensive intervention for smoking that comprised counseling, frequent follow-up contact, and pharmacologic therapy, including bupropion and nicotine replacement. Eighty-eight patients seen during the first 13 months of the clinic's operation and 30 medical student volunteer counselors were included in the study. Patients were contacted via telephone to assess 6-month self-reported smoking abstinence. Medical student counselors completed a self-assessment questionnaire surveying competence before and after working in the clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 6-month self-reported smoking abstinence rate was 18% (95% confidence interval, 11%-28%). Twelve of 14 medical students completing the survey reported improved competence in smoking intervention counseling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive smoking intervention program provided by medical students yielded smoking abstinence rates comparable to other treatment programs. Medical students believed they improved their smoking cessation counseling skills.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Der
authors.forename: Y Q
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Dale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D013337:Students, Medical