The attitude toward tobacco dependence and barriers to discussing smoking cessation: a survey among Turkish general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the general attitude of a sample of Turkish general practitioners (GPs) toward tobacco dependence and to assess their knowledge and behavior regarding smoking cessation (SC).


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire modified from WHO, Global Health Professional Survey was distributed to GPs, working in our district, Isparta.


RESULTS
As much as 41% of GPs were current smokers. Ever smokers were generally less likely to agree with statements that would change their freedom to smoke in certain places. While 46% of GPs frequently inquired about tobacco use in their patients, 13.5% did not advise any of their patients to quit smoking during the month preceding the questionnaire. The most common barriers reported by GPs to discussing SC with their patients were as follows: considering the discussion not to be effective (57.8%), having low confidence in knowledge (48.1%), having unpleasant personal experience or considering it a thankless task (46.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
It appears essential to reduce the number of GPs who smoke and to improve GP training on SC procedures for integrating SC treatment into primary care in Turkey.
Gokirmak
Munire
M
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Research and Practice Hospital, Suleyman Demirel University, 32260 Isparta, Turkey. dr.munire@hotmail.com
Ozturk
Onder
O
Bircan
Ahmet
A
Akkaya
Ahmet
A
D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult