Promoting Training and Education in Tobacco Dependence Treatment

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework on Tobacco Control recommends that all healthcare professionals (HCPs) become advocates for tobacco control by offering help to those who use tobacco. Training HCPs in tobacco dependence behavioral and pharmacotherapeutic interventions (henceforth referred to as “tobacco dependence treatment (TDT)” increases the frequency with which they treat their patients for tobacco dependence (TD). Evidence suggests that HCPs that received interdisciplinary training in TDT were more likely to assess and treat TD than untrained controls. Training of HCPs has a measurable effect on their patients’ short-term and long-term abstinence rates. Despite clear benefits of TDT, such training is not standardized and it is unclear what fundamental characteristics are necessary when designing education curricula and what delivery methods are optimal. It is important to compel healthcare leaders, educators, and professional associations to lead this change in HCP education. Mandating that all pre-licensure educational programs for HCPs have standard tobacco-nicotine content would be one way to enhance the quality of education delivered and the consistency between training programs.KeywordsTobacco dependence educationTobacco interventionsEducationTrainingTeachingProfessional developmentCurriculumTobacco dependence treatment