Primary Care Physicians' Characteristics and Attitudes on Smoking Cessation.

OBJECTIVES: Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to initiate and promote smoking cessation. However, their attitude towards smoking cessation is influenced by many factors, including their own smoking habits and knowledge. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of smoking habits, knowledge, and personal characteristics of primary care physicians on their attitude towards smoking cessation in comparison to a previous study conducted a decade ago.

METHODS: Overall, 302 primary care physicians filled out a questionnaire designed specifically to evaluate knowledge, smoking habits, and smoking cessation interventions they use.

RESULTS: More never-smoking physicians initiate conversations about smoking cessation, recommend smoking cessation groups, and set quit date to their smoking patients. They also invest greater efforts in patients with smoking complications. More current-smoking physicians advise Nicotine Replacement Therapy and joining Internet forums and telephone consultations. Keeping good relations with the patients plays an important role in the willingness of physicians to initiate a talk. A large proportion of physicians state they would prescribe smoking cessation medications to patients even when contraindicated.

CONCLUSION: The various approaches of primary care physicians emphasize the importance of physician education according to their own smoking habits.