The Emerging Global Tobacco Treatment Workforce: Characteristics of Tobacco Treatment Specialists Trained in Council-Accredited Training Programs from 2017 to 2019.

Tobacco use is projected to kill 1 billion people in the 21st century. Tobacco Use Disorder (TUD) is one of the most common substance use disorders in the world. Evidence-based treatment of TUD is effective, but treatment accessibility remains very low.

Comparing Telephone Counseling With Reminding to Promote On-Time Repeated Mammography: A Randomized Trial in a Cohort With 4 Years Follow-Up.

Long-term continuous adherence to biennial screening mammograms as guidelines recommend remains low. Limited evidence suggests that reminder calls may increase short-term adherence as much as telephone counseling, but research is needed comparing the long-term effects of these two approaches. To compare the impacts of two telephone outreach interventions and mailed reminders on 4-year continuous mammography adherence.

Evaluation of a Train-the-Trainer Program to Build Capacity for Training Tobacco Treatment Specialists.

Introduction: Tobacco-treatment specialists (TTSs) and high-quality TTS training programs are needed to improve access to evidence-based tobacco-dependence treatment. To meet this demand, the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School developed the Train-the-Trainer in Tobacco Treatment (T4) program to build a cadre of trainers to deliver the accredited UMass TTS training programs. This paper reports on the feasibility and quality of TTS trainings led by Certified UMass TTS Trainers (Trainer-led) compared with trainings led by UMass staff (On-site).

Implementation and process evaluation of three interventions to promote screening mammograms delivered for 4 years in a large primary care population.

The optimal form of outreach to promote repeated, on time screening mammograms in primary care has not been established. The purpose of this study is to assess the implementation process and process outcomes for three interventions for promoting biannual screening mammography in a randomized trial. In a large urban primary care practice over a 4-year period, we randomized women aged 40-85 and eligible for mammograms to three interventions: reminder letter only (LO), reminder letter + reminder call (RC), and reminder letter + counseling call (CC).

Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads: A Systematic Review.

Background: As we learn about patient experiences with head and neck cancer, it is also important to consider caregivers so that family-centered care can be improved.

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to (a) identify the research questions, methods, and measures that have been examined in quality-of-life studies with head and neck cancer patients and their caregivers (dyads) and (b) identify gaps and future directions for research and practice.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases using keywords (head and neck cancer, caregiver, quality of life) and included studies that assessed quality of life-related constructs in both patients and caregivers.

Referring patients for telephone counseling to promote colorectal cancer screening.

Objective: To determine the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of a telephone counseling intervention promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) screening when patients are referred for counseling by primary care providers (PCPs).

Study Design: Interventional cohort study with no formal control group.

Methods: PCPs in 3 practices were prompted to address CRC screening in patient encounters and, if appropriate, to recommend referral for telephone counseling.

Design and methods for a randomized clinical trial comparing three outreach efforts to improve screening mammography adherence.

Background: Despite the demonstrated need to increase screening mammography utilization and strong evidence that mail and telephone outreach to women can increase screening, most managed care organizations have not adopted comprehensive outreach programs. The uncertainty about optimum strategies and cost effectiveness have retarded widespread acceptance. While 70% of women report getting a mammogram within the prior 2 years, repeat mammography rates are less than 50%.

Helping men make an informed decision about prostate cancer screening: a pilot study of telephone counseling.

Objective: Evaluate a computer-assisted telephone counseling (CATC) decision aid for men considering a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

Methods: Eligible men were invited by their primary care providers (PCPs) to participate. Those consenting received an educational booklet followed by CATC.

Factors in quality care--the case of follow-up to abnormal cancer screening tests--problems in the steps and interfaces of care.

To achieve the benefit of cancer screening, appropriate follow-up of abnormal screening test results must occur. Such follow-up requires traversing the transition between screening detection and diagnosis, including several steps and interfaces in care. This article reviews factors and interventions associated with follow-up of abnormal tests for cervical, breast and colorectal cancers.

Behavioral theory in the context of applied cancer screening research.

The U.S. health care system is indeed challenged to provide effective, equitable, and efficient care for its citizens (Aday, Begley, Lairson, & Balkrishnan, 2004).

Moving mammogram-reluctant women to screening: a pilot study.

Background: Effective interventions are needed for women long overdue for screening mammography.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to pilot test an intervention for motivating overdue women to receive a mammogram.

Methods: Subjects aged 45-79 without a mammogram in > or =27 months and enrolled in study practices were identified from claims data.