Background
Continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis increases the risk for treatment complications, primary cancer recurrence, and secondary malignancy development, while also reducing treatment efficacy, survival, and overall health. The lack of formal evidence‐based smoking cessation education programs for oncology healthcare providers is a barrier to smoking cessation practices.
Purpose
To evaluate the use of an evidence‐based, smoking cessation e‐learning education program for oncology healthcare providers.
Methods
A single group, pre‐ and post‐test, nonexperimental design was used in this evidence‐based quality improvement project. To assess the provider’s knowledge in smoking cessation, a baseline assessment, a post‐test, and an online survey were completed by the providers. A telephone survey was conducted to assess the patients’ perception of cessation services received.
Results
The healthcare providers’ (N = 58) test scores on smoking cessation knowledge increased significantly (p < .0001) after completing the e‐learning education program. A majority of the providers reported that the education program increased their confidence (86%) in successfully helping the patient to quit smoking and agreed to make smoking cessation a priority (89%) in their practice. A majority of the patients (85%) were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the smoking cessation services received. Many patients (71%) self‐reported having tried to quit smoking.
Conclusion
An evidence‐based e‐learning education program is effective in increasing oncology healthcare providers’ knowledge and confidence in tobacco dependence treatment practices. The program also has a positive impact on oncology patients’ perception of cessation services received.
Linking Evidence to Action
A self‐paced e‐learning program is a feasible and effective way to educate healthcare providers in smoking cessation treatment. Incorporating evidence‐based tobacco dependence treatment into their daily oncology practice is warranted.