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For Immediate Release
Making it Easier for Healthcare Providers to Help Smokers Quit
Vancouver, BC – Health care providers get better access to training, tools and supports to help their patients quit smoking, says the BC Lung Association who today, in honour of World No Tobacco Day, launched a new video gallery designed for healthcare providers in BC on its www.quitnow.ca website.
Evidence shows that even a brief intervention by a healthcare provider can increase the odds of their patient/clients quitting by around 30 percent, but that a large percentage of healthcare providers are not skilled in smoking cessation techniques.
The objective of QuitNow Services, in addition to helping BC smokers ready to quit, is strengthening BC healthcare providers’ smoking cessation knowledge and counselling skills.
According to a recent report, 18 per cent of family physicians and 16 per cent of other health care professionals surveyed responded that they had received smoking cessation training.
“Healthcare providers across the province can play a vital role in helping their patients quit smoking,” says the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport. “Through these new QuitNow Services videos, the BC Lung Association addresses the smoking cessation needs of B.C. healthcare providers to ensure they can best support their patients.”
“Our new videos depict real-life health professionals demonstrating how to conduct a brief intervention and encouraging their healthcare colleagues to talk to their patients/clients about quitting as part of their daily practice,” says Jack Boomer, QuitNow Services Director for the BC Lung Association.
“Brief intervention takes as little as three minutes and increases the likelihood of someone quitting by as much as 30 percent,” says Dr. Milan Khara, Addiction Specialist for Vancouver Coastal Health and QuitNow Services advisor. “Just by asking and advising patients about their smoking and referring them to services such as QuitNow can make a huge difference to their life.”
A review of various family physician, pharmacy, nursing and dental hygiene curricula across the country – with respect to tobacco use intervention training – revealed variances. Both training time and depth of content varied across and within disciplines. In family physician programs training times vary from less than one hour to several hours.
“The good news is most smokers want to quit – seven out of 10 – and we know that healthcare providers want to help them,” continued Boomer. “With support from the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and through collaboration with members of the BC healthcare community, the BC Lung Association will continue to empower BC healthcare providers by responding to their education needs in this area.”
Managed by the BC Lung Association and supported by the BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, QuitNow Services (www.quitnow.ca) are available free of charge to all British Columbians.
If you or someone you know is looking for help to quit smoking, call QuitNow By Phone at 1 877.455.2233 or visit www.quitnow.ca.
QuitNow Services (www.quitnow.ca) is a one-stop shop for quit smoking resources in BC:
1. QuitNow By Phone (1-877-455-2233)
A confidential tobacco cessation helpline, available free-of-charge to BC residents. Callers can speak to quit specialists, 24/7/365, with translation services in 130 languages.
2. QuitNow Online
An internet-based quit smoking service available 24/7, free of charge to all BC residents. The site offers online peer support, email reminders and tips, and expert advice on quitting strategies.
3. QuitNow Fax Referral Service for Health Practitioners
A simple one-pager, free of charge, completed and signed by the client/patient interested in quitting smoking that indicates best time for a QuitNow by Phone care coach to call. The form is faxed by the health practitioner's office to QuitNow by Phone for direct follow up with the client/patient.
Media Contacts
Katrina van Bylandt, Communications Manager, BC Lung Association
T 604.731.5864 Toll Free 1.800.665.5864 E vanbylandt@bc.lung.ca
Jack Boomer, QuitNow Services Director, BC Lung Association
T 250.721.4268 C 250.589.4268 E quitnow@bc.lung.ca