Students working against tobacco: A novel educational program to improve Canadian medical students’ tobacco counselling skills

Deanna Lammers; Zach Zhang; Iuliia Povieriena; Andrew Pipe

doi:10.36834/cmej.36920

Students working against tobacco: A novel educational program to improve Canadian medical students’ tobacco counselling skills

Authors

Deanna Lammers University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
Zach Zhang University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
Iuliia Povieriena University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
Andrew Pipe University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Division of Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.36920

Keywords:

smoking cessation, youth smoking prevention, tobacco use, medical education

Abstract

Background: Medical professionals should be appropriately trained in the field of smoking cessation counseling and be familiar with related tobacco-control issues. Sadly, Canadian medical students receive little education regarding smoking cessation.

Methods: University of Ottawa medical students created Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), a program that provides its members with tobacco education and opportunities to discuss tobacco use, smoking prevention and cessation with elementary-school students. Surveys assessing student knowledge and confidence in addressing tobacco issues were administered to the participating students at the start of the program and following their delivery of a school presentation.

Results: Students initially lacked knowledge, skills and experience in addressing tobacco issues and discussing smoking prevention and cessation counselling. Following their involvement in the SWAT program, students’ smoking cessation counselling knowledge and skills improved, and they expressed confidence in becoming more engaged in this important preventive health issue.

Conclusion: Until smoking cessation is incorporated into undergraduate medical education programs, gaps will remain in the preparation of tomorrow's physicians regarding the provision of effective smoking cessation counselling and their broader understanding of this important health issue. Currently, there are constraints limiting the number of medical undergraduates that SWAT is able to involve and influence.

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Author Biographies

Deanna Lammers, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine

Medical student

Zach Zhang, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine

Medical Student

Iuliia Povieriena, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine

Medical Student

Andrew Pipe, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Division of Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Division Head of Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa

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Published

2018-06-01

How to Cite

Lammers D, Zhang Z, Povieriena I, Pipe A. Students working against tobacco: A novel educational program to improve Canadian medical students’ tobacco counselling skills. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2018 Jun. 1 [cited 2024 Apr. 16];9(2):e72-78. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36920

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Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Brief Reports

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