The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership has been invited to participate in the Continuing Education Aimed At Smoking Elimination (CS2day- Cease Smoking Today) project. Learn more about this national initiative at http://www.ceasesmoking2day.com.

We take this opportunity to invite you and your colleagues to make Arizona a part of this national movement! Join The University Arizona HealthCare Partnership and their affiliates to learn how to disseminate and apply the 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline as a part of daily practice.

To register or for more information please contact Renee Sayre 520.318.7253 ext 170 or email sayrer@email.arizona.edu.

Click here to view the agenda.

Awareness and implementation of tobacco dependence treatment guidelines in Arizona: Healthcare Systems Survey 2000

Authors: Mary E Gilles1, Louise J Strayer1, Robert Leischow2, Chun Feng1, J Michael Menke1 and Lee Sechrest1

1The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership, Department of Psychology, Tucson, Arizona, USA

2SHPS, Inc, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Abstract

Background

This paper presents findings from the Tobacco Control in Arizona Healthcare Systems Survey, conducted in 2000. The purpose of the survey was to assess the status of Arizona healthcare systems' awareness and implementation of tobacco cessation and prevention measures.

Methods

The 20-item survey was developed by The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco Education and Prevention. It was mailed to representatives of Arizona's 40 healthcare systems, including commercial and Medicare managed care organizations, "managed Medicaid" organizations, Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems, and Indian Health Service Medical Centers. Thirty-three healthcare systems (83%) completed the survey.

Results

The majority of healthcare systems reported awareness of at least one tobacco cessation and prevention clinical practice guideline, but only one third reported full guideline implementation. While a majority covered some form of behavioral therapy, less than half reported covering tobacco treatment medications. "Managed Medicaid" organizations administered through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System were significantly less likely to offer coverage for behavioral therapy and less likely to cover pharmacotherapy than were their non-Medicaid counterparts in managed care, Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems and Indian Health Service Medical Centers.

Conclusion

Arizona healthcare system coverage for tobacco cessation in the year 2000 was comparable to national survey findings of the same year. The findings that only 10% of "Managed Medicaid" organizations covered tobacco treatment medication and were significantly less likely to cover behavioral therapy were important given the nearly double smoking prevalence among Medicaid patients. Throughout the years of the program, the strategic plan of the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco Education and Prevention has included the goal of identifying and eliminating tobacco related disparities for special populations, including low-income groups. Of importance, in 2008 the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System was authorized to provide tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy as a covered benefit for its members.

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content/6/1/13

More News/Events