THE EFFECTS OF COMPUTER-TAILORED SMOKING CESSATION MESSAGES IN FAMILY-PRACTICE SETTINGS

Background. Many conventional health education materials, such as pamp hlets and booklets, are designed to reach as wide an audience as possi ble; they are therefore often lengthy and contain information irreleva nt to many consumers. Computer technologies allow sophisticated tailor ing of messages targeted to individual patients and free of irrelevant information. Methods. In two studies in North Carolina (study 1, N=51 ; study 2, N=197), adult cigarette smelters were identified from a coh ort of family practice patients. Cigarette consumption, interest in qu itting smoking, perceived benefits and barriers to quitting, and other characteristics relevant to smoking cessation were collected. Based o n this information, smoking cessation letters were tailored by compute r to individuals. Smokers were randomly assigned to experimental (tail ored health letters) or comparison groups (generic health letter in st udy 1, no health letter in study 2). Smoking status was assessed again at 4 months (study 1) or 6 months (study 2). Results; Both studies fo und statistically significant positive effects of tailored health lett ers among moderate to light smelters. In study 1, 30.7% reported quitt ing after 6 months vs 7.1% in the control group (P<.05); in study 2, 1 9.1% vs 7.3% (P<.05). Conclusions. Results from both studies indicate positive effects of computer-tailored smoking messages among moderate to light smokers. These findings are consistent with the focus of our computer-tailored program on psychological and behavioral factors rela ted to smoking cessation. Smoking cessation outcomes may be enhanced b y combining tailored messages with nicotine replacement therapies to t reat physical dependency. Methods of tailoring health messages and inc orporating the results into family practice are described.