Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-8zxtt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-09T14:04:34.646Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Qualitative Evaluation of Knowledge of and Attitudes toward VA Smoking Cessation Services

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Cassie L. Cunningham
Affiliation:
The Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center at the Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, United States of America.
Peter J. Kaboli
Affiliation:
The Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center at the Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, United States of America.; VA Office of Rural Health (ORH), Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Central Region, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, United States of America.; The Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, United States of America.
Sarah Ono
Affiliation:
The Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center at the Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, United States of America.; VA Office of Rural Health (ORH), Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Central Region, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, United States of America.
Mark W. Vander Weg*
Affiliation:
The Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center at the Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, United States of America.; The Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, United States of America.; Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, United States of America. Mark.Vanderweg@va.gov
*
*Address for correspondence: Mark Vander Weg, PhD, Iowa City VA Health Care System, 601 Highway 6 West, Mailstop 152, Iowa City, IA, 52246-2208.

Abstract

Introduction:The aim of this study was to assess Veterans' and primary care clinic staff's knowledge about, and experiences with, tobacco cessation services available through their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility. Methods:Qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews and surveys were conducted with 7 patients and 12 providers/clinic staff members at three VA primary care clinics serving large numbers of rural Veterans. Interviews were transcribed and coded for the- matic content. Results:Five primary themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge about available cessation services, (2) smoking cessation services provided to patients, (3) perceived barriers to cessation and the provision of treatment, (4) patient receptiveness to treatment and primary care provider involvement, (5) recommended strategies for improving smoking cessation services. Discussion:Our findings suggest there is a considerable lack of knowledge regarding available tobacco cessation services in VA primary care clinics serving rural Veterans. While many patients expressed the opinion that VA was providing adequate care for nicotine dependence, they also identified important barriers to cessation and offered opinions regarding what more could be done to help them to quit smoking. Clinicians/staff also provided insight into barriers they encounter in the delivery of cessation services. Future work should focus on attempting to address these barriers.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)