Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care
Tobacco Intervention Program
Intervention Program
|
Research & Education
Jefferson’s Comprehensive Center for Tobacco Research and Treatment is a multi-dimensional organization which concerns itself with virtually all aspects of tobacco, including education, policy, evaluation sciences, clinical and biological research, and clinical treatment paradigms. The Tobacco Intervention Program is the core clinical program within the center, and represents a sophisticated, multi-disciplinary, professional approach to smoking cessation. The treatment of tobacco use is highly medicalized, and is modeled on a chronic disease treatment paradigm. An experienced team of physicians, psychologists, counselors, and nurses devise and implement an integrated disease intervention that is tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs. All of the proven elements of effective smoking cessation recommended in the AHRQ guidelines are brought together in one convenient location, where office systems for education and follow-up remain in place. Intensive patient education and relapse prevention form the philosophical foundation of the program.
Patients undergo an initial evaluation and management visit with a physician experienced in nicotine dependence. An overall plan is set into place, and is communicated to the referring physician. Patients may be encouraged to attend several evening group educational sessions or intensive individualized counseling as appropriate. In addition, they receive periodic follow-up with our physicians as appropriate. For their convenience, the program offers patients flexible scheduling and a single location for all of these services. Because of referral and consultation systems set up within Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, patients are derived from both the in- and outpatient populations, allowing us contact with patients in all stages of the process of smoking cessation. The program has experienced an excellent completion rate, about 85% to date, and consistently gets excellent satisfaction ratings from its patients.
