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Behavioral Healthcare Staff Attitudes and Practices Regarding Consumer Tobacco Cessation Services

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Abstract

Given the high prevalence of tobacco use among persons with behavioral health disorders, there has been much discussion about if and when tobacco cessation services should be provided to consumers. Approximately 1700 staff (who served adults and youth) from 38 public behavioral healthcare agencies in Virginia completed a survey on their attitudes and practices regarding tobacco cessation services for consumers. Results showed that most staff (88%) think tobacco cessation services should be offered and do not interfere with treatment. Most staff (57%) always/usually screened consumers for tobacco use, but few (14%) always/usually provided tobacco cessation counseling. Reported barriers included consumers not wanting to quit and a lack of staff training. Most staff reported that their organizations do not have policies regarding tobacco cessation services. Use of tobacco cessation practices was related to staff confidence using the practices, preparedness, and years of experience. Steps to improving the use of tobacco cessation practices in this setting are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, #8520666. The authors would also like to thank Jessica Irons, PhD for her assistance with survey development and analysis for previous presentations on this topic.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and the Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Franklin Street Gym, Rm. 215, 817 West Franklin Street, PO Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA

    J. Randy Koch PhD

  2. Department of Psychology and the, Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, McGuire Hall, Suite B-08, 1112 East Clay St, PO Box 980205, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Alison Breland PhD

Authors
  1. J. Randy Koch PhD
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  2. Alison Breland PhD
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Correspondence to J. Randy Koch PhD.

Additional information

This research was performed at Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 East Clay Street, Suite B-08, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.

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Koch, J.R., Breland, A. Behavioral Healthcare Staff Attitudes and Practices Regarding Consumer Tobacco Cessation Services. J Behav Health Serv Res 44, 399–413 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-015-9477-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-015-9477-4

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