Implementation of a Smoking Cessation e-Learning Education Program for Oncology Clinic Healthcare Providers: Evaluation With Implications for Evidence-Based Practice

Background: Continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis increases the risk for treatment complications, primary cancer recurrence, and secondary malignancy development, while also reducing treatment efficacy, survival, and overall health. The lack of formal evidence-based smoking cessation education programs for oncology healthcare providers is a barrier to smoking cessation practices.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of an evidence-based, smoking cessation e-learning education program for oncology healthcare providers.

Methods: A single group, pre- and post-test, nonexperimental design was used in this evidence-based quality improvement project. To assess the provider's knowledge in smoking cessation, a baseline assessment, a post-test, and an online survey were completed by the providers. A telephone survey was conducted to assess the patients' perception of cessation services received.

Results: The healthcare providers' (N = 58) test scores on smoking cessation knowledge increased significantly (p < .0001) after completing the e-learning education program. A majority of the providers reported that the education program increased their confidence (86%) in successfully helping the patient to quit smoking and agreed to make smoking cessation a priority (89%) in their practice. A majority of the patients (85%) were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the smoking cessation services received. Many patients (71%) self-reported having tried to quit smoking.

Conclusion: An evidence-based e-learning education program is effective in increasing oncology healthcare providers' knowledge and confidence in tobacco dependence treatment practices. The program also has a positive impact on oncology patients' perception of cessation services received.

Linking evidence to action: A self-paced e-learning program is a feasible and effective way to educate healthcare providers in smoking cessation treatment. Incorporating evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment into their daily oncology practice is warranted.