Pharmacists’ Attitudes toward Role and Perceived Barrier on Smoking Cessation Activities : A Systematic Review

Pharmacists have unique position to promote smoking cessation (SC). Furthermore, smoking cessation provision is an obligation of pharmacists recommended by many professional organizations. The aims of the study were to summarize pharmacists’ actual SC service provision, current knowledge about smoking cessation, attitudes toward role of pharmacist in SC, perceived role of pharmacist in SC service, and perceived barriers on SC counseling. A systematic review was undertaken. The electronic databases used to identify relevant studies were PUBMED, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar. Search terms used were “Smoking Cessation” [MeSH] AND “Pharmacists” [MeSH]). Reference tracking was also employed. The review was restricted only English language and publication year from 1998 to 2012. The electronic database search retrieved 112 articles while only 6 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. According to the review, pharmacists’ involvement in SC counseling was low. Regarding knowledge about smoking cessation, pharmacists’ current knowledge was adequate. However, only a few received training while many of them indicated the need for more training to improve skills. There was a consistency among studies that most pharmacists have positive attitudes toward their roles in smoking cessation counseling. Common barriers on smoking cessation service were lack of knowledge and skills, time constrain, workload, and lack of demand/expectation by patients. Opportunities exist for pharmacists to provide smoking cessation counseling. However, training and intervention aims at reducing barriers related to smoking-cessation counseling are very crucial in improving actual SC service provision. Keyword: Pharmacist, Attitude, Barrier, Smoking cessation, Knowledge