Seeing new opportunities to help smokers quit: optometrist delivered behavioural support interventions

Abstract

Background: Smoking represents a risk factor for various eye conditions. Smoking cessation interventions have demonstrated effectiveness when delivered by numerous healthcare professionals. Optometrists are well placed in the community to advise a wide population of otherwise healthy smokers to quit, yet remain relatively neglected in smoking cessation research and policy. In this study, two web-based, national surveys investigated smoking cessation training and current practice in UK optometrists. Methods: Survey 1: All UK undergraduate optometry schools (n=9) completed a survey of curricular coverage and assessment related to smoking cessation support. Survey 2: Registered, practising optometrists (n=390) completed a survey covering current smoking cessation practice, training, and barriers to advising patients on quitting. Results: Survey 1: All optometry schools reported dedicating limited time (<3 hours) to teaching smoking cessation, focusing primarily on teaching harmful effects of smoking (89%). Only one (11%) school provided practical skills training for delivering smoking cessation interventions, and formally assessed students on smoking cessation competences. Survey 2: A third (34%) of optometrists reported routinely asking patients about tobacco use. A minority reported advising smokers to quit (20%), and assessing patient motivation to quit (10%). Even fewer (3%) offer smokers assistance to quit (i.e. via referral to dedicated services) or advise on smoking cessation medications (2%). Key barriers to advising on cessation included insufficient knowledge/training (81%) and time (65%). Conclusions: Substantial gaps exist in UK optometrists’ current smoking cessation training and practice. Evidence-based training resources are needed to support the introduction of smoking cessation interventions into routine optometry practice.