COMPARISONS OF THE SMOKING CESSATION COUNSELING ACTIVITIES OF 6 TYPESOF HEALTH-PROFESSIONALS

Background. This study was designed to assess and compare the smoking cessation counseling activities of primary care physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, family planning counselors, WIC counselors, and com munity mental health counselors in four counties in the northeastern U nited States for planning appropriate education programs. Methods. Lis ts of the health professionals in each of these groups in the four stu dy counties were obtained from state licensing boards, clinic director s, and telephone directories. Surveys were conducted by mail, using a 19-item instrument which could be completed in 2-4 min. Results. Compa risons among these professional groups showed that physicians, family planning counselors, and WIC counselors felt better prepared to provid e cessation advice than did mental health counselors, dentists, and de ntal hygienists. Physicians, family planning counselors, and WIC couns elors also were more active in providing smoking cessation advice to w omen smokers than were the other three groups. Levels of use of specif ic counseling activities were generally low. Setting a quit date, arra nging for follow-up visits, and referral for further assistance were u sed for only a minority of women smokers. Conclusions. Opportunities f or educational interventions that could increase these health professi onals' effectiveness were apparent for each of the groups. (C) 1994 Ac ademic press, Inc.