Oncology healthcare providers’ implementation of the 5A's model of brief intervention for smoking cessation: Patients’ perceptions

ObjectiveHealth care providers (HCPs) can play an important role in promoting smoking cessation and preventing relapse. Public Health Service guidelines recommend the “5A's” model of brief intervention. The goal of the current study was to examine cancer patients’ perceptions of 5A's model implementation by their oncology HCPs.MethodsThis study included 81 thoracic and 87 head and neck cancer patients at a large NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Patients completed questionnaires assessing perceptions of their oncology HCPs’ implementation of the 5A's model of brief intervention.ResultsResults indicate partial implementation of the 5A's model. The majority of patients reported that their providers had asked about smoking and advised them to quit, however; only half reported that their interest in quitting had been assessed, and few reported assistance in quitting or follow-up. Delivery of the 5A's was greater among patients who requested cessation advice from their HCPs.ConclusionThe current findings suggest a need to increase adherence to the 5A's in the oncology setting.Practical implicationsEfforts to increase smoking cessation treatment provision by HCPs may improve the rate of cessation among cancer patients, and ultimately translate into better long-term cancer treatment outcomes.