General practitioners' beliefs about effectiveness and intentions to recommend smoking cessation services: qualitative and quantitative studies
2007

General Practitioners' Beliefs About Smoking Cessation Services

Sample size: 392 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Vogt Florian, Hall Sue, Marteau Theresa M

Primary Institution: King's College London

Hypothesis

General practitioners' negative beliefs about smoking cessation services may act as barriers to recommending these services to smokers motivated to stop smoking.

Conclusion

General practitioners vary in their perceptions of the effectiveness of smoking cessation services, and their intentions to recommend these services are influenced by these beliefs.

Supporting Evidence

  • 66% of GPs agreed that central services were effective.
  • 82% of GPs agreed that local services were effective.
  • Fewer than 50% agreed that central services and local services were cost-effective.
  • 29% of GPs did not intend to recommend central services.
  • 40% did not intend to recommend local services.

Takeaway

Doctors have different opinions about how well smoking help services work, and this affects whether they tell patients to use them.

Methodology

The study included qualitative interviews with 25 GPs and a quantitative survey of 367 GPs to assess beliefs and intentions regarding smoking cessation services.

Potential Biases

The sample had a male bias and may not reflect the broader population of GPs in the UK.

Limitations

The sample may not be fully representative of all GPs, and the study's findings may be influenced by the specific beliefs of those who volunteered to participate.

Participant Demographics

The sample included 25 GPs for qualitative interviews and 367 GPs for the survey, with a bias towards male participants.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 0.36 to 0.54

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2296-8-39

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication