Development of a state wide tobacco treatment specialist training and certification programme for Massachusetts

Objective-To describe conducted to structure ana develop a statewide tobacc o training and certification programme for tobacco treatment specialists (T TSs) in Massachusetts. Design-Qualitative research strategies were used to obtain information on c ertification development and opinions regarding TTS training and certificat ion from key informants. A role definition and validation study was then co nducted to determine the core competencies TTSs. A comprehensive training g ramme was developed, piloted, ana finalised, and a certification programme was initiated. Participants-Key informants included: individuals involved in the developme nt of their professional certification programmes; tobacco treatment provid ers from across Massachusetts; and national tobacco treatment experts. Main outcome measures-Participants' opinions about the need for and structu re of a training and certification programme for individuals specialising i n the provision of moderate to intensive tobacco treatment; delineation of core competencies for TTSs, using the Agency for Health Care Policy and Res earch (now the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) clinical practic e guideline as a foundation for the development of evidence based standards of practice for the treatment of nicotine dependence. Results-The data support a comprehensive training and certification program me for TTSs in Massachusetts. Main concerns include the cost of obtaining c ertification, the potential to exclude uncertified healthcare professionals from delivering basic tobacco treatment, and the role of the TTS in the he althcare delivery system and the community. The training programme develope d for Massachusetts was piloted, and the structure of a statewide training and certification programme for TTSs was finalised. Conclusions-The research provides support for the need and acceptance of a training and certification programme for TTSs in Massachusetts, and present s the challenges to be addressed. We demonstrated the feasibility of develo ping and implementing an evidence based training programme, and of initiati ng a statewide certification programme in Massachusetts. This work will add to a national dialogue on the development of a training and certification programme for tobacco treatment providers and encourage further research in to the potential impact of statewide and national certification.