Development of an Evaluation Tool for Smoking Cessation Clinics and Services

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Most, if not all, smoking cessation (SC) clinics are passive, depending on motivated smokers to proactively seek help, and thus have great difficulties in receiving the expected number of smokers. This project, commissioned by Tobacco Control Office, Department of Health of Hong Kong SAR Government, developed and published an evaluation tool (E-tool, version 1.1) for SC clinics and services, which can be used to evaluate the quality and outcomes, and provide an outcome-oriented guidance for setting up new clinics and services. Methods: The project team gathered documentations and data from SC clinics in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Beijing. Stakeholders discussed and agreed on what would be the most appropriate items for the E-tool. The finalized E-tool consists of 33 most basic and essential items in 4 assessments (https://mrct.sph.hku.hk/): Organization (manpower, equipment, technology and system), Environmental (environment, publicity and referral), Process (Patient intake, documentation, follow-up response and assessment) and Outcome (Abstinence and smoking reduction rate). Results: The E-tool draft was pilot-tested by 34 SC clinics, hospitals and governmental health bureaus from China Mainland (Beijing, Wuhan, Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong), Philippines, Malaysia, Japan and Korea from 2015-17. Mean and median score was 71.2 and 77.2 (Range: 23.4-100). All SC units scored 10 or above in the organization assessment (Full score 17). 24 (70.6%) units scored 10 or above in the environmental assessment (Full score 14). 21 (61.8%) units scored 18 or below in the process assessment. In the outcome assessment, 16 (47.1%) service units did not have any follow-up assessment on long-term abstinence status. Conclusions: Most SC units in Asia-Pacific region hade good organization and environmental factors to operate, but poor process and outcome assessment. Resources to improve publicity of the services, increase referral of smokers, conduct follow up scientific assessment on the service outcomes are needed.