Stoppen met roken: hoe pakken wij dat aan?

Background: Smoking is the cause of a great deal of morbidity and mortality. General practitioners (GPs) can help prevent smoking-related diseases by following an active anti-smoking policy, i.e. by taking the initiative to discuss stopping smoking with their patients. The aim of our research is to gain insight into several aspects of advice on stopping smoking in Dutch general practice. Methods: In the Netherlands a representative number of GPs participate in the Dutch Sentinel Practice Network. In 2005, participants in this network (n=49) were asked to fill in a short questionnaire for each consultation in which advice on stopping smoking was given. Results: 474 initial recommendations that the patient stop smoking were given, representing approximately 2.6 recommendations per 100 adult (15+) smokers in the Netherlands. The initiative to discuss stopping smoking was more frequently taken by GPs (54%) as against patients (42%). GPs tend to discuss stopping smoking particularly in cases of smoking-related symptoms (e.g. cough) or when the smoker belongs to a highrisk group (smokers with COPD, hypertension or cardiovascular disease). Smokers themselves bring up the subject of smoking for preventive reasons or because of smoking-related symptoms (e.g. cough). Even when the GP takes the initiative to recommend stopping smoking, at least 72% of the patients appear (moderately) motivated to stop. The strategies most often used by GPs are verbal advice or prescribing a drug. Discussion: GPs are encouraged to initiate the "stop smoking" discussion with their patients more frequently. Furthermore, the Minimal Intervention strategy Stop smoking (MIS), a relatively effective method to help the patient to stop smoking, could be used more often. (aut.ref.)