ASSESS your patient
Some patients may be defensive about smoking.
'contented smoker' - 'I know that I should stop, but just now is not a good time…'
- make a note in the case sheet and bring the topic up again, later. Give patient advice based on the 5 Rs.
'thinking of stopping' - 'I'd really like to give-up but I'm not sure if I can...'
- provide the patient with verbal support and reinforce the oral benefits.
'trying to stop' - 'Now that you mention it, I'd really like to give up...'
- move on to assisting the patient.
If the patient is not willing to quit, but is willing to do so in the future, offer brief advice
(the 5 Rs) to help increase motivation to quit.
- Emphasise relevant benefits for the patient.
- Emphasise risks of continuing to smoke.
- List rewards of stopping.
- Discuss roadblocks to quitting.
- Emphasise that repeat attempts are more successful.