Research on smoking cessation support by pharmacists in community pharmacies: from the perspective of patients

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the role of pharmacists in community pharmacies in smoking cessation support from the perspective of patients in a smoking cessation clinic.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey to outpatients who visited a smoking cessation clinic in Showa University Hospital.

Results/Findings: The questionnaire response rate was 59%. Subjects consisted of 36 patients (69% males and 28% females; 58.3 ± 13.5 years). When patients wanted to quit smoking, patients (56%) consulted a doctor, but not the pharmacist in community pharmacies. Moreover, patients (58%) were informed about smoking cessation clinics from the doctor, but there were no patients informed by pharmacists in community pharma cies. Although patients (over 75%) felt the need for smoking cessation support (recommendations for the ces sation of smoking, administration of appropriate medication, guidance and consultations) by pharmacists in community pharmacies, the support desired by patients was not provided. However, patients (over 65%) who have experienced pharmacist support in quitting smoking were satisfied with the smoking cessation support by pharmacists in community pharmacies.

Conclusion: As smoking cessation support by pharmacists is not provided as desired by patients, pharmacists need to improve smoking cessation support.