Healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards patients with cancer who smoke
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards patients with cancer who smoke

Sarah Cubbin Lung cancer clinical nurse specialist, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral, Merseyside

Aim To explore healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards patients with cancer who smoke and how their attitudes affect the health promotion advice they provide.

Method A mixed-methods approach was adopted. The study was conducted in a regional cancer centre and involved a multi-professional cohort of staff. A questionnaire was sent to all professional groups at the centre, followed by two focus groups exploring nurses’ and radiographers’ attitudes.

Results Respondents were aware of the adverse effects of smoking on patients receiving treatment for cancer, but the number that addressed smoking cessation with patients varied. Respondents reported particular concerns about addressing smoking cessation with patients receiving palliative care, as they perceived this as being too sensitive an area to discuss with patients facing a limited life expectancy.

Conclusion A smoking cessation working group is now in place at the cancer centre, exploring the issues identified and providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to support patients with cancer who smoke.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 15, 6, 25-30. doi: 10.7748/cnp.2016.e1323

Correspondence

scubbin2@gmail.com

Peer review

This article has been subject to double-blind peer review and has been checked using antiplagiarism software.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

Received: 13 May 2016

Accepted: 17 June 2016

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