title: Feasibility, acceptability, and cost of referring surgical patients for postdischarge cessation support from a quitline.
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and cost of referral of smoking patients to a proactive quitline service for postdischarge cessation support. Participants were recruited from the preoperative clinic of an Australian hospital. Data were collected from project records and a telephone interview with participants 6 months after attending the preoperative clinic. The study found that 64% of the 67 participants accepted an offer of referral to the quitline by preoperative clinic staff. Some 74% of patients referred to the quitline were contacted by the quitline after discharge. Smokers contacted by the quitline and clinic staff referring patients to the quitline generally responded favorably on items assessing the acceptability of the quitline service and the process of referral to the quitline. Referral to the quitline service cost less than US$2 per patient. Referral of patients to a quitline is feasible, was generally considered acceptable by surgical patients and staff, and was inexpensive.
authors.affiliation: Hunter New-England Population Health and University of Newcastle, Australia. luke.wolfenden@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wolfenden
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiggers
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kerridge
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spigelman
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015277:Hotlines / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*