Authors (including presenting author) :
Ms. Lai FSP, Dr. Tam JH, Ms. Kong MS, Mr. Leung SH, Dr. Ying GCD, Dr. Li WSV, Dr. Li YC
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Kowloon Central Cluster
Objectives :
After the COVID-19 pandemic, our department’s services have resumed normal. The Smoking Counselling and Cessation Program (SCCP) Team of the KCC Department of FM & GOPC acknowledges the need to provide effective and patient-centric services. Drawing from the lessons of telehealth during the pandemic, their latest initiatives aim to resume full services and integrate TeleHealth to enhance the service framework.
Methodology :
Reinforce the knowledge and skills for our nursing staff Meetings were held for frontline staff to revise the service framework and discuss telehealth initiatives. The main objectives were to reinforce the importance of smoking cessation through TeleHealth and refresh counseling skills, particularly in the prescription of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). These meetings provided an opportunity for counselors to share their experiences and address concerns related to TeleHealth, aiming for a broader reach and ongoing support to individuals striving to quit smoking. The benefits of smoking cessation in preventing chronic disease complications are emphasized, along with the development of skills in identifying the stage of change. The use and prescription of NRT Post-pandemic, many patients are hesitant to visit clinics for counseling or NRT due to their return to regular work life. With the department's support, the SCCP team has extended the prescription period for NRT for indicated
Result & Outcome :
From June 2023 to December 2024, a total of 1941 new patients attended the SCCP, indicating an increase compared to previous years. There has been a rise in telephone follow-ups, including TeleHealth, reaching 3551 in 2023 compared to the previous year. Notably, the average quit rate in October 2023 was 70.8%, significantly higher than the rate in April 2023 (64.3%) and the rate in 2022 after the implementation of TeleHealth follow-ups. Our smoke cessation program has adapted to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by resuming full services and implementing TeleHealth interventions. The integration of TeleHealth smoke cessation counseling sessions and the prescription of NRTs through TeleHealth have expanded our reach, improved patient access and convenience, and enhanced overall patient care. We believe that these advancements will improve accessibility, convenience, and efficacy of smoke cessation interventions, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes in our co
