Reaching out, inviting back: using Interactive voice response (IVR) technology to recycle relapsed smokers back to Quitline treatment--a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Tobacco dependence is a chronic, relapsing condition that typically requires multiple quit attempts and extended treatment. When offered the opportunity, relapsed smokers are interested in recycling back into treatment for a new, assisted quit attempt. This manuscript presents the results of a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of interactive voice response (IVR) in recycling low income smokers who had previously used quitline (QL) support back to QL support for a new quit attempt.

Systems approaches to tobacco dependence treatment.

Nurses have been at the forefront of initiatives to improve patient outcomes through systems change. Nursing research addressing systems approaches to treatment of tobacco dependence has demonstrated increased implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines. Existing health system research conducted by nurse scientists has focused on four strategies: tobacco use identification systems, education and training of nursing staff to deliver tobacco intervention, dedicated staff for tobacco dependence treatment in both acute and primary care settings, and institutional policies to support tobacco intervention.