New! Colorado Healthcare Provider Training for Implementing Tobacco Cessation Guidelines in Clinical Practice

Colorado healthcare providers play a critical role in helping their patients quit tobacco, but many patients report their healthcare providers do not offer advice to quit. A recent Colorado survey shows almost three-fourths (72.9%) of smokers saw a healthcare provider in the previous 12 months, but only 68% of of those adults were advised to quit by their provider.  Smokers who were advised to quit were substantially more likely to try quitting (37.9%).  These numbers illustrate the importance of healthcare professionals in helping Coloradans quit smoking. In order to better support healthcare professionals of all kinds, a new resource is now available.  

This one hour training provides an overview on implementing tobacco cessation clinical guidelines in practice, the latest on medication protocols, practical tips on using motivational interviewing, information on resources such as the Colorado QuitLine, and guidance on addressing emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes with your patients. The training also highlights the recently released 32nd tobacco-related Surgeon General's Report "The Health Consequences of Smoking-50 Years of Progress" which presents new data on the health consequences of smoking.

This free training is not just for doctors, but it can assist all healthcare professionals including those delivering smoking cessation treatment in clinical settings, those facilitating health systems or quality improvement initiatives, or anyone working on a clinical team.  To view this webinar, please click Here and please share this great resource with anyone in your network.

Let's ensure that every tobacco user in Colorado gets advice from their healthcare provider on why, and how they can quit smoking. Your intervention could be the one that helps your patients quit smoking for good.

This resource was developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP), in partnership with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine's Behavioral Health and Wellness Program.