Evaluation of a collaborative smoking cessation intervention in primary care: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Tobacco consumption is a preventable risk factor for disease and complicates the treatment of medical conditions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a primary care intervention with the aim of achieving health behavior change among smokers and patients with smoking-related disease. Methods: In this cluster-randomized controlled trial, forty medical practices are randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. In total, eight-hundred patients are recruited within practices. General practitioners in the intervention group motivate patients to participate in smoking cessation courses, refer them to courses and subsequently ask about course participation. General practitioners in the control group provide usual care. Smoking status, quality of life and respiratory complaints are assessed at baseline, after six and twelve months. Results: Cigarette consumption and respiratory complaints are expected to decrease whereas quality of life is expected to increase in the intervention, compared to the control group. Recruitment is ongoing. Discussion: The results serve to determine the intervention‘s effectiveness and can contribute to the design of interventions in the field of health services research.