Background: This study shows the clinical utility of Prochaska and DiClemente's stages of readiness for treating nicotine dependence in a medical center.
Methods: Six hundred forty-eight patients were retrospectively studied in either the contemplation or the action stage of readiness.
Results: Statistical analysis showed the action stage to be the most significant predictor of smoking cessation at 6 months. Individuals in the action stage had twice the 6-month cessation rate as those in the contemplation stage (41.5% versus 20.3%, P < 0.001). Other significant predictors of smoking cessation included a low Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire score (< or = 6) and the patient's report of a current disease but no past history of disease worsened by smoking.
Conclusions: This study shows the potential clinical application of this theoretical model for providing treatment for smokers.