A Free smoking intervention clinic initiated by medical students

• Published in: Mayo Clinic proceedings Vol. 76; no. 2; pp. 144 - 151
• Main Authors: DER, Dennis E, YOU, Yi-Qian, WOLTER, Troy D, BOWEN, Deborah A, DALE, Lowell C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rochester, MN Mayo Medical Ventures 01.02.2001; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Counseling; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Minnesota; Smoking Cessation; Student Health Services - organization & administration; Students, Medical; Tobacco, tobacco smoking; Toxicology; Minnesota; Human; Drug addiction; Definitive shutdown; Weaning; Tobacco smoking; Therapeutic schedule; Public health; Implementation
• ISSN: 0025-6196; 1942-5546
• DOI: 10.1016/s0025-6196(11)63120-0

To describe a medical student-run smoking intervention clinic, report initial outcomes, and assess medical student competence in smoking intervention counseling. Volunteer medical students of Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn, staffed a free smoking intervention clinic in conjunction with the Salvation Army Free Acute Care Clinic between December 1997 and January 1999. Patients received a comprehensive intervention for smoking that comprised counseling, frequent follow-up contact, and pharmacologic therapy, including bupropion and nicotine replacement. Eighty-eight patients seen during the first 13 months of the clinic's operation and 30 medical student volunteer counselors were included in the study. Patients were contacted via telephone to assess 6-month self-reported smoking abstinence. Medical student counselors completed a self-assessment questionnaire surveying competence before and after working in the clinic. The 6-month self-reported smoking abstinence rate was 18% (95% confidence interval, 11%-28%). Twelve of 14 medical students completing the survey reported improved competence in smoking intervention counseling. A comprehensive smoking intervention program provided by medical students yielded smoking abstinence rates comparable to other treatment programs. Medical students believed they improved their smoking cessation counseling skills.