Patient and doctor perspectives on incorporating smoking cessation into tuberculosis care in Beijing, China.

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) hospital in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVE

To describe perspectives of patients and physicians regarding the incorporation of smoking cessation interventions as part of TB treatment.

DESIGN

Seven focus groups were conducted with 39 patients and 17 physicians.

RESULTS

Patients were more receptive to physicians' advice to quit smoking due to increased concerns about their health after becoming ill with TB. However, patients indicated that they might start smoking again after they recovered from TB. Patients' attempts to quit smoking may have been inhibited by exposure to smoking at the TB facility. Physicians had low levels of knowledge regarding the effect of smoking on TB. Many doctors, particularly those who smoked, did not view smoking cessation as an integral part of TB treatment.

CONCLUSION

Despite the presence of a 'teachable moment', TB patients experience significant barriers to quitting smoking. Patient education in TB treatment programs should address the specific effects of smoking on TB and the general health benefits of cessation. Smoke-free policies should be strictly enforced in TB facilities. Successful integration of smoking cessation interventions within TB treatment regimens may require that providers adopt smoking cessation as an essential part of TB treatment.