Talk to Your Patients
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and the vast majority of smokers want to quit. As a medical provider, what are you doing to do to help them? Where do you start?
Every patient is different. But regardless what type of medical practice you work in, there are steps you can take to get your patient one step closer to being tobacco-free.
Iowa Department of Public Health Recommendations
- Institute tobacco use status as a vital sign.
Ask about tobacco use with every patient, every visit. This is important because not only does smoking impact a large number of medical conditions, but it reminds you to follow up with brief cessation counseling. It should be documented as a vital sign and quit attempts should be tracked. - Institute Brief Tobacco Cessation Counseling
Ask, Advise, Refer. This brief intervention is easy to learn and can dramatically improve quit rates. - Learn More about Referral Programs
You've already taken an important first step by visiting the Quitline Iowa website. What happens when you refer a client to Quitline Iowa? Where can I find more information about the Medicaid tobacco cessation benefit? - Learn More About FDA Approved Tobacco Cessation Pharmacotherapy
The most effective way to quit is counseling coupled with medication. No one medication is right for everyone, so do your homework. - Order Quitline Iowa Materials
Not every client is going to jump at your suggestion to call Quitline or start a prescription. So why not have some information on hand to give your client for later? This service, as well as the promotional materials, is free.
More Resources
US Public Health Service: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence 2008 
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (Department of Health and Human Services)