Tobacco Treatment in a Student-Run Free Clinic: A Pilot Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: While smoking rates have decreased in the United States (US), a high number of low socioeconomic status (SES) patients continue to smoke. Student-run clinics are one setting where reaching low SES patients for tobacco treatment may be feasible. However, these clinics have a unique set of challenges in tobacco treatment including limited resources and provider/patient inconsistency. The goal of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of delivering a brief tobacco treatment intervention in a student-run medical clinic.

Methods: Patients at a student-run clinic in the southeastern US were screened for tobacco use and interest in participation. A clinic member distributed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) samples (patches and lozenges) and sent a fax referral to the South Carolina Quitline for patients who agreed to participate. In a subset of patients, follow up phone calls were completed at 1 and 4 weeks to assess smoking status and need for additional NRT supplies. Descriptive statistics for participant demographics and treatment acceptability were calculated.

Results: Of 125 patients screened for tobacco use, 16% (n=20) reported smoking with 75% (n=15) accepting the treatment plan offered through the clinic. Ten patients participated in follow up calls, and 40% (n=4) reported using NRT (either patches, lozenges, or both) across the follow-up period.

Conclusions: Delivery of a brief tobacco treatment intervention involving NRT sampling and Quitline referrals is both feasible and acceptable in the student-run free clinic space. This model may be reproducible in other clinics due to its simple protocol, which can be taught to providers and students regardless of experience level.

This article contains a correction, doi: 10.59586/jsrc.v11i1.506.g338.