AN EVALUATION OF A SMOKING CESSATION TRAINING-PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL RESIDENTS IN AN INNER-CITY HOSPITAL

Thirty-four medical residents at a hospital serving a predominantly bl ack inner-city area were trained to counsel their patients to quit smo king. They were tested before the training session and again 4 months later with questionnaries assessing smoking knowledge, attitude, and c linical practice. The training consisted of two 1-hour lectures, print ed materials, and a 1.5-hour Objective Simulated Clinical Exam. Most o f the residents were males (88.2%), in internal medicine (87.5%), unde r the age of 35 (79.4%), and foreign-born (76.5%). Asians (44.1%) comp rised the largest racial group, followed by whites (29.4%) and blacks (20.6%). The impact of the training was assessed by comparing the pre- and posttests using paired Student's tests. Overall score increased f rom 69.3 to 89.1 (P = .0001) out of a maximum of 131. Scores increased significantly for attitudes and beliefs (38 to 52; P = .0001), knowle dge (5.3 to 6.6; P = .0001), and usual practices with smoking patients (25 to 30; P = .002). These data provide evidence that training incre ased the confidence, motivation, and reported practice of these reside nts in intervening with their patients, the majority of whom are black . This has special significance because physicians are least likely to advise black patients and those in lower socioeconomic groups to quit smoking. The demographic profile of our residents is characteristic o f many inner-city hospitals.