Clinical Study
Eye (2008) 22, 246–250; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702592; published online 29 September 2006
Attitudes and behaviour of ophthalmologists to smoking cessation
A Sahu1,2, R Edwards3, R A Harrison4,5, J Thornton4 and S P Kelly2
- 1Department of Public Health, Bury Primary Care Trust, UK
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Bolton Hospital, Farnworth, Bolton, Lancs, UK
- 3Department of Public Health, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
- 4Evidence for Population Health Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- 5Department of Public Health, Bolton Primary Care Trust, Bolton, UK
Correspondence: SP Kelly, Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Bolton Hospital, Farnworth, Bolton, Lancs BL4 0JR, UK. Tel: +44 1204 390694; Fax: +44 1204 390554; E-mail: simon.kelly@rbh.nhs.uk
Received 21 December 2005; Revised 28 July 2006; Accepted 28 July 2006; Published online 29 September 2006.
Abstract
Aims
Growing evidence suggests a causal association between smoking and eye disease. This study explores the current beliefs and practice among UK consultant ophthalmologists towards delivering smoking cessation advice to eye clinic attenders.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire of all UK NHS hospital based consultant ophthalmologists was conducted. The questionnaire explored whether: ophthalmologists identify the smoking status of their patients, advise about the increased risk of eye diseases among smokers, and deliver smoking cessation advice. The availability of departmental smoking cessation resources was also ascertained.
Results
The response rate was 55% (485/886). Of the responders 79% were males. Only 35% of responders asked about smoking status every time or most times for new patients and 5% for follow-up patients. In all, 40% claimed to always or usually advise patients to quit smoking and 61% claimed to always or usually mention eye disease as a reason to quit. Only 14% assessed motivation to quit and 22% provided advice and assistance about how to stop smoking to smokers who wished to quit. Female ophthalmologists were more likely to undertake most aspects of smoking assessment and intervention. Only 18% of responders stated that their departments provide information about smoking for patients and 6% stated that support is available for patients wanting to quit smoking.
Conclusion
The assessment of smoking status and provision of targeted support for smokers to quit could be substantially improved in UK ophthalmology departments. There is a need to introduce smoking cessation support into routine ophthalmic practice and provide the resources to support this.
Keywords:
physician, smoking, smoking cessation, survey, ophthalmology, clinic
