Using a family systems approach to treat tobacco use among cancer patients

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  • Ruebush, E.
    • Affiliation: N.C. Cancer Hospital, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Mitra, S.
    • Affiliation: N.C. Cancer Hospital, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Meyer, C.
    • Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine
  • Sisler, L.
    • Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine
  • Goldstein, A.O.
    • Affiliation: N.C. Cancer Hospital, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Abstract
  • Tobacco use treatment is an essential component of cancer care. Family members play a significant role in smoking behavior, but more research is needed regarding the development, implementation, and impact of family-based interventions in cancer care. The UNC Tobacco Treatment Program conducted an 18-month pilot study to examine the feasibility of implementing a family systems approach to treat tobacco use among patients at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital and to measure the impact of such an approach on patient abstinence. Implementation included four phases: (1) modifying the electronic health record and monthly report generated from the electronic health record; (2) training Tobacco Treatment Specialists to provide family counseling; (3) integrating family members into patients’ treatment; and (4) conducting six-month follow-up calls. During the course of the study, 42% (N = 221/532) of patients had family members integrated into their tobacco use treatment. Only 21 patients (4%) had family members present but not integrated into the treatment plan. At the six-month follow up time point, the seven-day point-prevalence quit rate for patients with family integration was 28% (N = 56/200), compared to 23% (N = 67/291) (p = 0.105) for patients without family integration. Integration of family members is clearly possible in an academic medical center’s oncology tobacco treatment program. Although pilot results were not statistically significant at 6 months, a potentially higher quit rate suggests a need for expanded research on methods to integrate family members in oncology settings for patients with tobacco-related cancers.
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  • Article
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  • Attribution 3.0 United States
Journal title
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal volume
  • 17
Journal issue
  • 6
Language
  • English
ISSN
  • 1661-7827
Publisher
  • MDPI AG

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