Date Approved

1999

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.)

Degree Program

Physician Assistant Studies

Abstract

It is imperative for health care providers to initiate an individually tailored program to counsel smokers in a more effectively. Finding patients’ perceptions of their physicians' role in smoking cessation is critical to aid healthcare providers to design an individualized plan to get patients to quit smoking. 68 smokers who presented to their family practice clinics in the rural area of Hastings, Michigan completed self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires assessed patients’ perceptions of their physicians’ role according to the 4 A s protocol (asking, advising, assisting, and arranging), with a focus on age groups (18-29, 30-49, and >50) and stage of readiness to quit smoking (precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation). The results showed a positive relationship in the more advanced stage of readiness to quit smoking and the endorsement of physician arranging follow up. Multiple logistic regressions found that smokers in the two younger age groups w ere more likely to endorse a physician arranging follow up on smoking status than the group aged >50. The results of this study support the conclusions found in a similar study done in metropolitan Chicago. Both studies support differences exist in endorsement of the four A’s in age groups as well as different stages of readiness to quit. Health care providers should screen patients for their age as well as their stage of readiness to stop smoking in order to provide the most effective treatment plan.

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