Training Healthcare Providers in Smoking Cessation

Washtenaw County Public Health along with the Coalition for Infant Mortality Reduction has embarked on a new initiative, Never Quit Quitting: Training Healthcare Providers to Integrate Cessation Counseling and Referral.  This cessation education training will assist health care providers – physicians, nurses, clinic managers - in promoting smoking cessation options to female patients of childbearing years. Many health care providers are unaware of cessation services available in the community which hampers their ability to direct patients to appropriate services.

Never Quit Quitting will show health care providers the importance of integrating (1) smoking cessation counseling, (2) referral information and (3) insurance options for cessation programs as part of a patient’s health plan. This one hour “Munch and Learn” presentation will not only educate health care providers about the 5A’s smoking cessation counseling technique (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and Arrange) but will also explore the significant impact this technique has in encouraging individuals to quit and/or make a quit attempt. Information packets will include a listing of local cessation services, Michigan’s 1-800- 480 QUIT tobacco cessation quit line, tobacco cessation tips and information on Nicotine Replacement Therapies.       

The Coalition for Infant Mortality Reduction identified healthcare facilities in 48197, 49198 and 48108 as areas serving a high percentage of women considered high risk for poor birth outcomes due to smoking.  Due to their high risk status, the Never Quit Quitting program will target these communities; however, we welcome any health care facility in Washtenaw County to participate in the training.

For more information on Never Quit Quitting, contact Lisa Krugman at (734) 544-6862.