Sequence-analysis of video-recorded practitioner-patient communication about smoking in general practice: Do smokers express negative statements about quitting?

•GPs focus on asking about smoking and advising smokers to quit, whereas PNs focus on assisting smokers with quitting.•During unsolicited dialogues, smokers express more negative than positive statements about quitting.•Smokers' negative statements are especially expressed when PNs assess their willingness to quit or assist them with quitting.•An alternative approach is suggested in which GPs' tasks are limited to asking, advising, and arranging follow-up for smokers.

ObjectiveTo examine the extent to which smokers express negative statements about quitting and the extent to which these statements influence general practitioners' (GPs') and practice nurses' (PNs') (dis)continuation of guideline-recommended smoking cessation care.MethodsFifty-two video-consultations were observed (GP-consultations: 2007-2008; PN-consultations: 2010-2011). Dialogues were transcribed verbatim and professionals' and patients' speech units were coded and analysed using sequential analyses (n = 1424 speech units).ResultsGPs focused on asking about smoking (GPs: 42.4% versus PNs: 26.2%, p = 0.011) and advising them to quit (GPs: 15.3% versus PNs: 3.5%, p < 0.001), whereas PNs focused on assisting them with quitting (GPs: 25.4% versus PNs: 55.2%, p < 0.001). Overall, patients expressed more negative statements about quitting than positive statements (negative: 25.3% versus positive: 11.9%, p < 0.001), especially when PNs assessed their willingness to quit (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.44-9.01) or assisted them with quitting (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.43-3.48).Practice implicationsAn alternative approach to smoking cessation care is proposed in which GPs' tasks are limited to asking, advising, and arranging follow-up. This approach seems the least likely to evoke negative statements of patients about quitting during dialogues with GPs and is compatible with the tasks and skills of PNs who could, subsequently, assist smokers with quitting.