Impact of the Tobacco Treatment Guidelines for High Risk Groups (TOB.g): A pilot study among physicians specializing in CVD, Diabetes and COPD.

Introduction: The 2017 Tobacco Cessation Guidelines for High-risk Groups (TOB-G) is a comprehensive document on best practices for smoking cessation in clinical practice. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess physician satisfaction and changes in tobacco-related knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes following exposure to training in the TOB-G guidelines for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or diabetes.

Methods: A pre-post pilot study was conducted. All participating physicians received an electronic or printed copy of the TOB-G guidelines for patients with CVD, COPD or diabetes. Physicians were also exposed to a one-day training focused on the key clinical practice recommendations from the TOB.g guidelines. Outcome measurement occurred via survey before, immediately following and 6 months after exposure to the training.

Results: Fifty physicians participated in the TOB.g training session. High rates of participant satisfaction were documented (exceeded expectations 47.7%; met expectations to a great extent 52.3%). Significant increases in physician knowledge and self-efficacy were documented immediately following and 6 months after exposure to the guideline training session. Exposure to the training was associated with positive changes in some but not all tobacco-related treatment attitudes, however these were no longer significant at the 6-month follow-up. Lower knowledge, confidence and unfavourable attitudes were documented for aspects of treatment related to pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions: Positive changes in previously reported barriers to the delivery of tobacco treatment among physicians were documented following exposure to the TOB.g guidelines and training for patients with CVD, COPD or diabetes.