Kick the Habit: How Nurse-Led Programs Can Help You Quit Smoking for Good
"Discover the power of nurse-led interventions and innovative strategies to boost your chances of successfully quitting smoking."
Smoking remains a significant public health challenge, with grave disparities in smoking prevalence existing between indigenous Māori, Pacific Island peoples, and other New Zealanders. While many smokers express a desire to quit, achieving lasting success can be difficult. Primary care nurses play a crucial role in delivering brief stop-smoking interventions, yet they often face constraints related to time and resources.
Innovative approaches that harness new technologies and creative engagement strategies offer promising avenues to enhance these brief interventions and improve both uptake and outcomes. These methods aim to make the process more accessible, motivating, and tailored to the unique needs of diverse populations.
One such innovation involves integrating a novel scratch card and internet-based "quit and win" contest, complemented by mobile phone support messages, into the standard practice of nurses' brief smoking cessation interventions. This approach aims to add an element of fun and competition to what can often be a daunting process, potentially boosting efficacy and engagement.
The "Cow Pat Quit and Win" Study: A Pilot Project
To explore the feasibility and potential impact of this innovative approach, researchers conducted a pragmatic exploratory mixed-methods pilot study. This study sought to determine if adding a "Cow Pat Quit and Win" (CPQ&W) contest to routine ABC (Ask, Brief Advice, Cessation support) interventions could improve patient engagement and quit rates.
- Assessing the feasibility of incorporating CPQ&W into routine ABC interventions.
- Evaluating the acceptability of the program to both nurses and patients.
- Gaining insights into the program's effect on quit attempts, particularly among Māori, Pacific Islanders, and young smokers.
The Path Forward: Implications and Future Research
While the CPQ&W pilot study showed promise in engaging specific populations and refreshing existing interventions, further research is needed to optimize its effectiveness and address limitations such as internet access disparities. Larger, properly powered studies are essential to test the efficacy of scratch card-based quit and win concepts, delivered by community nurses and other health professionals, and modified to accommodate low access to the internet. By refining these innovative approaches, we can move closer to achieving equitable reductions in smoking rates and supporting all individuals on their journey to a smoke-free life.