Exploratory analysis of patients' motivations to quit smoking and participate in smoking cessation classes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Significant research has evaluated the impacts of smoking, the impacts of exposure to secondhand smoke, the effectiveness of a variety of social and individual interventions for smoking cessation, and the frequency at which physicians discuss smoking cessation with their patients. Little research has addressed barriers to physician-initiated discussion and intervention related to smoking cessation, especially pertaining to resident physicians treating low-income patients. The existing research indicates that physicians have low expectations regarding patients' desires to quit smoking and often wait to discuss smoking cessation with patients until the patient broaches the subject. The purpose of this pilot was to identify trends in smoking, desire for smoking cessation, and desire to participate in smoking cessation classes at the family practice clinic. METHODS Patients completed a survey eliciting demographic information, smoking behavior, presence of chronic illness, desire to quit smoking, and reasons for wanting to quit smoking. RESULTS Higher rates of smoking and lower rates of desired cessation were identified. However, among patients contemplating smoking cessation, a relatively high number desired cessation classes. Higher numbers of failed quit attempts were predictive of increases odds of both wanting to quit and desire for cessation classes. Other predictors of cessation desire and class participation are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Based on the current research, physicians are encouraged to follow practice guidelines, asking all patients about smoking behavior and assisting in their efforts to quit, especially those who have previously been unsuccessful in the past.