title: Tobacco cessation counseling training with standardized patients.
abstract: A pilot study was conducted to assess clinician receptivity to tobacco cessation counseling training methods using standardized patients. Additionally, the study assessed changes in clinician knowledge and behavioral intentions following the training. Medical and dental residents and dental hygiene students from the University of Louisville attended a one- to two-hour lecture addressing the counseling strategies (the Five As/the Five Rs) and pharmacotherapy recommended in the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Participants subsequently had three training encounters with standardized patients representing various stages of change including a patient ready to quit, a patient contemplating quitting, and a patient resistant to quitting. Thirty-six participants completed a preprogram survey prior to the lecture and a postprogram evaluation that included questions about their attitudes and beliefs about tobacco, their comfort level with various aspects of tobacco intervention, and eight knowledge questions. Participants demonstrated a statistically significant increase in objective knowledge about the practices recommended in the Clinical Practice Guideline following intervention. Results also indicate a significant increase in subjective measures of participant receptivity, self-reported comfort, and perceived skill with various aspects of tobacco intervention. Overall, participants were found to be very receptive to training sessions on tobacco cessation counseling with standardized patients. In light of the educational gains and positive response from participants, the use of standardized patients is a promising strategy for training on tobacco cessation counseling.
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Cancer Program, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 529 S. Jackson Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. sarah.walsh@louisville.edu
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Jacqueline A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Singleton
authors.forename: Celeste T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Worth
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krugler
authors.forename: Regan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Gina C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Wesley
authors.forename: Charlene K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education*; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D010517:Periodontics / Q000193:education; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012649:Self Concept; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control