The Experience of providing smoking cessation service at community pharmacy by pharmacist

Abstract

Background: Tobacco is the only legal drug that kills many of its users. World Health Organization has estimated that tobacco use is currently responsible for the death of about six million people across the world each year. This total also includes about 600,000 people that are estimated to die from the effects of second-hand smoke [1]. Pharmacists are well-positioned to provide smoking cessation services within pharmacies, where smoking cessation products are stocked and retailed [2]. Systematic review of smoking cessation intervention research in other countries shows that the involvement of a pharmacist is effective. The aim of this research is to summarize Lithuania’s pharmacists experience in providing smoking cessation assistance. Methods: The qualitative research method - semi structured interview was applied. The participants were pharmacists who are smoking cessation advisers. The main questions were about reasons for initiation consultation, experience, difficulties and barriers, suggestions how to improve the effectiveness of smoking cessation programs. Results: The research shows that pharmacists who took part in a research understands the smoking as a preventable risk factor for a number chronic disease and first of all recommend smoking cessation for the patient who already suffer from respiratory or cardiovascular systems diseases. Most of the respondents admitted the professional duty, professional satisfaction, and joy of “lifesaving” as the main factors for decision about the initiation of consultation. The main difficulties that hinder them in providing smoking cessation services: low motivation of patients, lack of time and lack of knowledge about new methods. They suggest organizing more special training programs for pharmacists about smoking cessation methods that will improve their consultations. Improved public education about smoking damage and smoking cessation promotion using various media platforms could increase patient mo