Promoting Pharmacy-Based Referrals to the Tobacco Quitline: A Pilot Study of Academic Detailing Administered by Pharmacy Students

Objective: To conduct a pilot study of a student-delivered academic detailing initiative to promote brief, pharmacy-based tobacco cessation interventions, and referrals to the tobacco quitline. Methods: Pharmacy students (n = 11) received training and delivered academic detailing sessions for promoting brief tobacco cessation interventions at community pharmacies (n = 37). Six months after the session, a survey was faxed to each pharmacy to assess (1) the quality and acceptance of the academic detailing session and the materials provided during the session and (2) tobacco cessation counseling perceptions and practices. Results: Pharmacists from 30 (81%) sites responded to the survey; of these, 37% reported that they increased the number of patients asked about smoking since the academic detailing session, 70% reported an increase in the number of participants advised to quit smoking, 57% reported an increase in the number of patients counseled, and 50% reported routinely providing referrals to the tobacco quitline. Conclusion: pharmacy students are capable of providing academic detailing for brief tobacco cessation interventions in community pharmacies. Results of this pilot study suggest a positive impact of this service on pharmacists’ counseling behavior for tobacco cessation.