title: Teaching tobacco cessation to large student cohorts through train-the-trainers and problem based learning strategies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Graduates of medical schools receive limited training on tobacco cessation and are ill-equipped to treat tobacco dependence. In this paper, we describe and present evidence from an educational intervention based on a train-the-trainers model and problem-based learning strategy aimed to educate a large number of first-year medical students on tobacco-related issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey assessing students' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs was conducted before and after educational intervention. Tobacco experts from the faculty staff, who are trained problem-based learning tutors, served as facilitators in the problem-based learning setting with 1000 medical students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes in knowledge and beliefs were observed. Items such as need for further training in cessation, importance, and effectiveness of brief advice showed significant variations after the educational intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational intervention based on a train-the-trainers and problem-based learning approaches are feasible and effective to educate a large cohort of first-year medical students in tobacco issues. Further research is needed to find out whether this intervention improves overall patient care management.
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Cessation Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Clinics Hospital, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Llambi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Tobacco Cessation Unit, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Cessation Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Clinics Hospital, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cora
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Gaston
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garces
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000070260:Teacher Training / Q000379:methods*; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D014583:Uruguay; D055815:Young Adult