Interventionen zur förderung der abstinenzmotivation bei rauchern in der allgemeinärztlichen praxis

Background: Tobacco smoking constitutes the most important preventable risk behaviour with respect to mortality and morbidity. Innovative intervention approaches based on the stages of motivation to change concept, like computer expert systems and brief motivational interviewing are promising developments of the last years. The general practice appears to be a favourable setting for the implementation of such interventions. The aim of the present study is to evaluate time and cost effective interventions under the conditions of general practice routine. Methods: Smokers identified among consecutive general practice patients will be randomly allocated to either a control or one of two intervention conditions. The first intervention group will receive three individually tailored letters derived from a computer expert system based on questionnaire data. The second group will receive a standardized motivational counselling from the practitioner who will be trained within the study. Smoking behaviour and changes in motivation to quit are main outcome measures, which are collected after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. First experiences and expected results: The pilot study confirmed the feasibility of systematic screening for smoking status and proactive interventions in general practice. The results of the main study are expected to settle the ground for broad implementation of brief smoking cessation interventions in general practice's routine.