Smoking cessation competencies for health workers in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To outline competencies to guide smoking cessation delivery by health workers in New Zealand.


METHODS
The cessation competencies were developed from a literature review of competencies measurable and relevant to New Zealand, the evidence for effectiveness of different interventions from the 2007 New Zealand Smoking Cessation Guidelines, and consultation with an expert group and smoking cessation providers throughout New Zealand.


RESULTS
The literature review identified only a handful of relevant documents on smoking cessation workforce competencies. Thirty-nine skill and knowledge-based competencies, based on three standards from the 2007 New Zealand Smoking Cessation Guidelines were identified. Each competency has been assigned a level (core, generalist, and specialist) depending on the provider's role.


CONCLUSIONS
The New Zealand smoking cessation competencies provide a basis for guiding expectations of the measurable knowledge and skills all workers providing smoking cessation should attain. Their utility should be evaluated and reviewed after at least a year.
Clinical Trials Research Unit, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1072, New Zealand. c.bullen@ctru.auckland.ac.nz
Chris
C
Bullen
Natalie
N
Walker
Robyn
R
Whittaker
Hayden
H
McRobbie
Marewa
M
Glover
Trish
T
Fraser
D018672:Community Health Planning; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D009520:New Zealand; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention