Survey on smoking cessation among patients in hospitals

Effectiveness of medical help in smoking cessation depends not only on the skills and knowledge of health workers, but also on the readiness and motivation of the patients. To assess the patients’ views 650 patients were surveyed in four medical institutions of Moscow. A self-completion questionnaire consisting of 30 questions was developed for that purpose. Results. The prevalence of smoking: half of the respondents were active or former smoker and 60% of smokers have shown symptoms of a high nicotine dependence. Secondhand smoking: 43% of respondents were exposed to secondhand smoking at home and 30% at work. Influence of smoking on the development of the disease: two-thirds of respondents believed that passive smoking had an impact on the course of their disease, 39% of smokers (including former) felt that their smoking had an impact on the course of their disease. Physician’s help: 71% of patients were asked by the doctor if they smoke. 46% of smokers received advice to quit smoking. Only 9% of smokers said they were not going to give up smoking, 65% wanted to quit smoking. 37% had tried to quit, and only 4% asked for medical assistance in smoking cessation. Motivation to quit smoking: 45% of patients reported their desire to quit smoking has become stronger and 7% had quit smoking after hospitalization. Conclusion: The majority of patients were aware of the hazards of smoking, and expressed a desire to quit, but no active actions were taken by patients as well as by physicians. In order to provide better help and involve more patients and physicians in smoking cessation doctor-patient communication should be improved and information should be distributed among patients as well as physicians.