Smoking-cessation services in Iowa community pharmacies.
OBJECTIVE
To examine community pharmacy practice with regard to providing smoking-cessation counseling.


METHODS
Mailed survey.


METHODS
Iowa community pharmacies.


METHODS
A stratified random sample of pharmacists statewide.


RESULTS
Descriptive statistics were computed for all study variables. Fisher exact test or chi2 analysis was performed on selected variables to determine the relationship of each item with pharmacists routinely offering smokers suggestions for quitting. Responses from 129 (38.2%) of 338 pharmacists indicated that although most felt it is important to offer smoking-cessation counseling, about half actually offer this service. Most pharmacists indicated they are prepared to provide counseling, but fewer than 25% had received formal training or were aware of national clinical practice guidelines. Those who had received specific training (p=0.020) or recently attended an educational program (p=0.014) on smoking cessation were more likely to counsel smokers. Primary barriers to providing counseling were lack of time, inability to identify smokers, low patient demand, and lack of reimbursement.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that opportunities exist for improving pharmacist education and reducing practice barriers in order to bridge the gap between pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes related to smoking-cessation counseling and their provision of patient counseling in community pharmacy practice.
Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Mary L
ML
Aquilino
Karen B
KB
Farris
Alan J
AJ
Zillich
John B
JB
Lowe
D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D003625:Data Collection; D037001:Directive Counseling; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D016540:Smoking Cessation