Working towards a smokefree environment – A survey of mental health professionals’ knowledge and attitudes towards smoking

Authors:
Golnar Aref-Adib, Lubna Karim and Apu Chakraborty

Presenters:
Golnar Aref-Adib and Lubna Karim Psychiatric Trainees, London, UK

Abstract
Enforcement of the smoke-free policy in mental health trusts continues to be a challenge. Previous studies have recognised high smoking prevalence amongst psychiatric patients, ambivalent attitudes and lack of knowledge of staff as contributing factors. This study investigated knowledge and attitude of mental health professionals’ towards tobacco dependence in a North London psychiatric unit, with a view to making sustainable changes. A validated questionnaire survey was distributed to all clinical staff.

Thirty-one staff (62%) responded to the questionnaire. Smoke-free
zones were not correctly identified with over 75% of the staff believing an enclosed balcony to be a registered smoking area. Half of the participants (55%) felt that it was their responsibility to address patients smoking, but only 45% felt they had time to address their patient’s nicotine dependence. Less than a third (27%) said that NRT were readily available on their ward. All professional groups seemed to have gaps in their knowledge regarding tobacco dependence and mental illness. Only 21% knew that patients who smoke need higher doses of certain antipsychotic medications. Half of the participants said they were not confident in supporting patients who wanted to give up smoking and 76% had not received any smoke-free policy training in the last two years.

Regular staff education groups have now been set up with the smoking cessation officer and patient are no longer smoking in smoke free areas. This study highlights the importance of staff education and group discussion in evolving practice.

Source of funding: Nil

Declaration of interest: none

About the presenters
Golnar Aref-Adib is currently a GPVTS trainee due to start psychiatric training in August. She has completed a six-month placement in a general psychiatric adult ward in North London.

Lubna Karim is a psychiatric trainee working at the Royal Free and surrounding hospitals.