Achieving Smoke-Free Mental Health Services: Lessons from the Past Decade of Implementation Research (original) (raw)
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The International journal of social psychiatry, 2014
The original audit on which this 2013 secondary analysis is based, was conducted in 2010. It explored implementation of smoke-free policies from the perspective of unit managers in 147 psychiatric units across England comprising a randomly selected sample of nine different unit types. Two main themes are presented: positive perspectives of smoke-free policy implementation, and barriers and problems with smoke-free policy implementation. Analysis of unit managers' experiences and perspectives found that 96% of participants thought smoke-free policy had achieved positive outcomes for staff, patients, services and care. Consistency of response was the most prominent factor associated with policy success. Quality of the physical environment and care delivery were clear positive outcomes which enabled the environment to be more conducive to supporting staffs' and patients' quit attempts. Lack of consistency and a prevailing culture of acceptance of smoking were identified as ...
Turning of the tide: changing systems to address smoking for people with a mental illness
Mental Health and Substance Use: Dual Diagnosis, 2011
Smoking tobacco is common among people with a mental illness. A number of behavioural and environmental factors underlie the high smoking prevalence rates. Evidence suggests that smokers with mental illness require additional targeted support to help them stop smoking. By using a selective review of the international literature, this article will argue that a systems-level change approach is an appropriate strategy, targeting settings and environments with a number of advantages for reaching smokers with mental illness. Systems-level changes include:(1) implementing a system of identifying and recording smoking status;(2) providing education, resources and feedback to promote staff intervention;(3) dedicating staff to provide tobacco-dependence treatment;(4) promoting organisational policies that support and provide tobacco-dependence services.Three settings will be discussed – mental health services, community social service organisations and prisons. As a result of a history and culture where smoking was used as part of the system, introducing changes in these settings has to date been challenging. However, with increased awareness of the detrimental health and financial consequences of smoking, the tide appears to be turning to a culture increasingly supportive of smoking cessation. We illustrate this trend using three Australian case studies where smoking is starting to be addressed through changes to systems.
Smoking by people with mental illness and benefits of smoke-free mental health services
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2008
Smoking is the largest single cause of preventable illness in the UK. Those with mental health problems smoke significantly more and are therefore at greater risk. The new Health Act (2006) will require mental health facilities in England to be completely smoke-free by 1st July 2008. This article reviews the current literature regarding how smoking affects both the physical and mental well-being of people with mental health problems. It also considers the effects of smoke-free policy in mental health settings.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2016
Background: Smoking rates for people with severe mental illness have remained high despite significant declines in smoking rates in the general population, particularly for residents of community supported residential facilities (SRFs) where smoking has been largely neglected and institutionalized. Methods: Two studies undertaken 10 years apart (2000 and 2010) with SRFs in Adelaide, Australia looked at historical trends to determine whether any progress has been made to address smoking for this population. The first study was ethnographic and involved narrative description and analysis of the social milieu of smoking following multiple observations of smoking behaviours in two SRFs. The second study involved an eight-week smoking cessation group program providing tailored support and free nicotine replacement therapy to residents across six SRFs. Changes in smoking behaviours were measured using pre and post surveys with residents, with outcomes verified by also seeking SRF staff and smoking cessation group facilitator qualitative feedback and reflection on their observations of residents and the setting. Results: The culture of smoking in mental health SRFs is a complex part of the social milieu of these settings. There appears to have been little change in smoking behaviours of residents and attitudes and support responses by staff of SRFs since 2000 despite smoking rates declining in the general community. Tailored smoking cessation group programs for this population were well received and did help SRF residents to quit or cut down their smoking. They did challenge staff negative attitudes to residents' capacity to smoke less or quit. Conclusions: A more systematic approach that addresses SRF regulations, smoke-free policies, staff attitudes and training, and consistent smoking cessation support to residents is needed.
Tobacco smoking is common among people with mental illnesses, and they carry a higher burden of smoking-related illnesses. Despite this, smoke-free policies and systems for supporting cessation have proved difficult to introduce in mental health and drug and alcohol services (MHDAS). This paper examines the barriers to becoming smoke free within New Zealand services. Key informants, including staff, smoke-free coordinators, and cessation specialists were interviewed. Of the 142 invited informants 61 agreed (42%) to participate in a telephone interview, and 56 provided useable data. Organizations had a permissive or transitioning smoking culture, or were smoke free, defined by smoke-free environments, smoke-free-promoting attitudes and behaviours of management and staff, and cessation support. Most organizations were on a continuum between permissive and transitional cultures. Only eight services had a fully smoke-free culture. MHDAS face many challenges in the transition to a smoke-free culture. They are not helped by exemptions in smoke-free policies for mental health services, staff smoking, negative staff attitudes to becoming smoke free, poor knowledge of nicotine dependence, smoking-related harm and comorbidities, and poor knowledge and skills regarding cessation-support options. Health inequalities will continue across both service and socioeconomic divides without a concerted effort to address smoking.
Factors Associated With Success of Smoke-Free Initiatives in Australian Psychiatric Inpatient Units
Psychiatric Services, 2010
Smoking is the largest cause of preventable illness in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. Smokers with mental illness smoke significantly more than those without mental illness and therefore experience even greater smoke-related harm. Internationally, there is increasing pressure on psychiatric inpatient settings to adopt smoke-free policies. This study examined smoke-free policies across psychiatric inpatient settings in Australia and thereby identified factors that may contribute to the success or failure of smoke-free initiatives in order to better inform best practice in this important area. Methods: Semistructured in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 60 senior administrators and clinical staff with direct day-to-day experience with smoking activities in 99 adult psychiatric inpatient settings across Australia. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and Pearson's chi square correlations measure of association. Results: Factors associated with greater success of smoke-free initiatives were clear, consistent, and visible leadership; cohesive teamwork; extensive training opportunities for clinical staff; fewer staff smokers; adequate planning time; effective use of nicotine replacement therapies; and consistent enforcement of a smoke-free policy. Conclusions: A smoke-free policy is possible within psychiatric inpatient settings, but a number of core interlinking features are important for success and ongoing sustainability. (Psychiatric Services 61:300-305, 2010)
Mental Health and Addiction Research
Objective: to describe psychiatrists' views regarding implementation of smoke free policies in inpatient units, the acceptability and perceived helpfulness of a clinical pathway, and the frequency of provision and acceptability of various interventions. Method: Sequential mixed-methods combining a questionnaire based survey with interviews with 43 psychiatrists working in two services in Queensland, Australia. Data were analysed descriptively and thematically. Results: Psychiatrists agree that they have responsibility to assess smoking, encourage quitting and optimise management of nicotine withdrawal during admissions. Uncertainty remains about the rationale for 'smoke free', however. Psychiatrists express concern about 'rights' of patients and others, paternalistic restriction of choice and their roles as agents of government, rather than health professionals. Most psychiatrists assess smoking informally, with intervention titrated to perceived motivation to quit. The manner in which conversations are approached and interventions are offered is critical to engagement of patients. Conclusions: Psychiatrists are overcoming longstanding ambivalence and therapeutic nihilism that have hindered integration of management of smoking in clinical care. Sustained improvement will depend on frank engagement with lingering concerns, careful management of the 'unintended' consequences of smoke-free policies and ensuring that clinicians are resources appropriately.