Rate and correlates of tobacco treatment during a primary care visit for a largely urban and African American sample of smokers

INTRODUCTION: Evidence-based treatments for tobacco use are under-utilized and primary care visits may be an opportune time to address this gap. This study examined the rate at which primary care visits included tobacco use treatment and examined patient demographics, smoking characteristics, attitudes about tobacco use treatments, and comorbidities as correlates of treatment provision. METHODS: This prospective study assessed demographics, smoking characteristics, attitudes about tobacco use treatments, and comorbidities via interview prior to a primary care visit among 105 patients. One week following the appointment, 85 patients were reassessed for the tobacco use treatments they received during their appointment (i.e., asked about their tobacco use, advised to quit, and provided with a referral to a tobacco use treatment program or an FDA-approved tobacco use medication). RESULTS: 93% of patients were asked about their tobacco use, 74% were advised to quit, 37% were provided with a referral for tobacco use treatment, and 27% received an FDA-approved medication (16% NRT, 11% varenicline or bupropion). Patients with higher quit motivation and who endorsed that medications can reduce cravings were more likely to report receiving tobacco use medication. Patients with a self-reported substance abuse history were less likely to report receiving tobacco use medications. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of tobacco use medications within primary care remains low. Strategies to increase patient quit motivation and help patients understand that tobacco use medications can mitigate cravings may increase use. Strategies may also be needed to ensure that patients with comorbid substance abuse still receive tobacco use treatments.