E-poster Presentation 2014 World Cancer Congress

Quality of implementation of a smoke-free policy in an inpatient psychiatric facility: Association with patient acceptability (#909)

Emily A. Stockings 1 2 , Jenny A. Bowman 1 2 , Kate M. Bartlem 1 2 3 , Kathleen M. McElwaine 1 2 3 , Amanda L Baker 2 4 , Margarett Terry 5 , Richard Clancy 2 4 , Jenny Knight 3 , Paula M. Wye 1 2 3 , Kim Colyvas 6 , John H. Wiggers 2 3 7
  1. School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
  2. Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
  3. Hunter New England Population Health (HNEPH), Wallsend, NSW, Australia
  4. Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health (CTNMH), University of Newcastle, Waratah, NSW, Australia
  5. Mental Health and Substance Use Service (MHSUS), Hunter New England Health, Waratah, NSW, Australia
  6. School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
  7. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

Background: The quality of implementation of smoke-free policies in inpatient psychiatric facilities, including patient adherence, staff support and provision of nicotine dependence treatment, has been reported to be poor. The extent to which these quality indicators are associated with patient support for such policies, has not been examined.

 Aim: To examine patients’: 1) adherence to a smoke-free policy; 2) perception of staff support for the policy; 3) receipt of nicotine dependence treatment; and 4) acceptability of the smoke-free policy, and its association with these factors.   

 Methods: Cross-sectional survey of patients in an inpatient psychiatric facility with a total smoke-free policy.

 Results: A total of 181 participants (53.6%; n = 97 smokers and 46.4%; n = 84 non-smokers) completed the survey (90.9% response rate). Smokers’ adherence to the policy was poor (83.5% smoked). Only half (53.6%) perceived staff to be supportive of the policy. Most smokers used nicotine replacement therapy (75.3%); although receipt of advice to quit was low (36.1%) and few received optimal treatment (19.6%). Overall, 45.9% of patients viewed the smoke-free policy in the unit as positive (29.9% smokers; 64.3% non-smokers). For smokers, perceiving staff to be supportive of the policy and adhering to the smoke-free policy were associated with a more positive view towards the smoke-free policy

Conclusions:  Strategies to increase patient adherence, staff support, and provision of adequate nicotine dependence treatment may improve patient support for smoke-free policies.