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Facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation: a qualitative study among health professionals in Germany.

BMC health services research
April 1, 2025
Frederike Bokemeyer et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansSmoking CessationGermanyQualitative ResearchMaleFemaleAdultMiddle AgedHealth PersonnelInterviews as TopicMotivationAttitude of Health Personnel
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score15.74
Normalized Score0.61
Related Supplements
Facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation: a qualitativ... | Panacea Index