Facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation: a qualitative study among health professionals in Germany.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore experts' views on facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation in Germany.
Results Summary
Key facilitators included self-motivation, communication skills of intervention leaders, and knowledge about addiction mechanisms. Barriers included smokers' fears of quitting, environmental pressures, and inadequate counseling structures.
Population
Health practitioners (medical doctors, psychologists, addiction therapists) in Germany.
Effective Dosage
Not mentioned
Duration
Interviews conducted from July to November 2022 (intervention duration not specified).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
smoking cessation | decrease | global morbidity and mortality | smokers | - | known benefits | #1 |
smoking cessation | no change | abstinence and preventing relapse | many smokers | - | difficulties in maintaining | #2 |
evidence-based smoking cessation interventions | no change | smoking cessation rates | individuals aged 14 and older in Germany | - | limited use | #3 |
self-motivation of participants | increase | smoking cessation | smokers | - | key facilitator | #4 |
communication skills of the intervention leader | increase | smoking cessation | smokers | - | key facilitator | #5 |
provision of knowledge about addiction mechanisms | increase | smoking cessation | smokers | - | key facilitator | #6 |
smokers' fears of quitting | decrease | smoking cessation | smokers | - | important barrier | #7 |
external environmental pressures | decrease | smoking cessation | smokers | - | important barrier | #8 |
inadequate counseling structures | decrease | smoking cessation | smokers | - | important barrier | #9 |
comprehensive strategies involving both structural adjustments in health care settings and enhanced training for tobacco treatment specialists | increase | smoking cessation interventions | smokers in Germany | - | improving | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Tobacco consumption remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality and is a significant preventable health concern. Despite the known benefits of smoking cessation, many smokers face difficulties in maintaining abstinence and preventing relapse. In Germany, approximately 30% of individuals aged 14 and older are smokers, which reflects low smoking cessation rates and limited use of evidence-based smoking cessation interventions. PURPOSE: This qualitative study aimed to explore experts' views on smoking cessation through interviews with health practitioners. METHODS: Fifteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with professionals from diverse fields, including medical doctors, psychologists, and addiction therapists, from July to November 2022. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. A deductively developed categorization system was applied to identify sub-themes within categories and to systematically code the data. All data were thencategorized under two main categories: facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation. RESULTS: Key facilitators included the self-motivation of participants, the communication skills of the intervention leader, and the provision of knowledge about addiction mechanisms. Important barriers were smokers' fears of quitting, external environmental pressures, and inadequate counseling structures. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that improving smoking cessation interventions in Germany require comprehensive strategies involving both structural adjustments in health care settings and enhanced training for tobacco treatment specialists.