Impact of a pharmacy-led smoking cessation clinic in a dermatology centre.

Hui Mei Cheng; Wen Chun Liu; Germaine Chua; Choon Fong Liew; Winnie LI; Winnie Choo; Hazel H Oon

Return

Impact of a pharmacy-led smoking cessation clinic in a dermatology centre.

Author: Hui Mei CHENG ¹ ; Wen Chun LIU ¹ ; Germaine CHUA ¹ ; Choon Fong LIEW ² ; Winnie LI ¹ ; Winnie CHOO ¹ ; Hazel H OON ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Dermatology, National Skin Centre, Singapore.
2. Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Raffles Hospital, Singapore.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: dermatology; nicotine replacement therapy; smoking cessation; tobacco
MeSH: Adolescent; Adult; Dermatology; organization & administration; Female; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; complications; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Program Development; Psoriasis; complications; Retrospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms; complications; Smoking Cessation; methods; Tobacco Use Disorder; therapy; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
From:Singapore medical journal 2019;60(1):31-33
CountrySingapore
Language:English
Abstract: INTRODUCTION:Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a deleterious effect on dermatological conditions, such as skin cancers, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a pharmacist-led smoking cessation clinic in reducing cigarette smoking at a tertiary referral dermatology centre. We described the impact of this clinic to provide guidance on how such a model could be further improved and implemented more widely.
METHODS:In this single-centre, retrospective study, 74 currently smoking patients who received counselling at a structured smoking cessation clinic between January 2010 and March 2013 were identified. Information on baseline demographic characteristics and detailed past medical history, including smoking history, was collected. Follow-up was conducted at two weeks and three months.
RESULTS:At the first follow-up at two weeks, which was attended by 57 patients, 9 (15.8%) had stopped smoking and 26 (45.6%) showed reduction in the number of cigarette sticks smoked per day, with an average reduction of 4.1 cigarette sticks per day. However, a few patients also reported no change or increased number of cigarette sticks smoked per day following counselling.
CONCLUSION:A structured pharmacist-led smoking cessation clinic is effective and can be made a part of the holistic management of dermatological conditions.