As a medical professional, you can play a key role in fighting tobacco use, the number one cause of preventable death and disease in Kansas. You have seen the drastic effects that smoking can have on your patients’ health. You know the toll secondhand smoke can take on their children and families. And you can be instrumental in preventing children from ever starting. Often all it takes is support and motivation from a trusted source, you.

 

KDHE Announces a New Online Resource for Providers

Kansas Tobacco Cessation Help (KaTCH) is a free, newly revised tobacco cessation online training developed by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment and the National Jewish Health. It is a self-paced course that guides you through seven modules each ranging from 15-30 minutes. At the conclusion of each module, the registrant will have the option to print a certificate of completion. The training offers CME, CNE and CPE credits for health care professionals. The modules cover enhanced Quitline services, Kansas Medicaid cessation benefits, vaping, teen tobacco use, behavioral health and Quitline counseling call samples. To review a summary of each module or register for the training, please visit: https://quitlogixeducation.org/kansas/

 

Why is TFW focusing efforts to reach out to health care providers?

We recognize that health care providers play a crucial role in the prevention and cessation of tobacco use.  Since tobacco use has a tremendous impact on patients’ overall health and their oral health, we plan to reach out to all health care providers in an inclusive way, knowing that each member of the health care team has an impact on their patients’ well-being.

As a health care provider, I have a number of other competing health issues to address with patients. Why does TFW think addressing tobacco use is important?

Tobacco use is still the number one preventable cause of death and disease in Kansas. It is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other common chronic diseases. While the majority of tobacco users say they want to quit, only 4% to 7% of smokers are successful in quitting each year. Brief advice from you significantly increases the chances that your patient will try to quit and do so successfully. Smokers tell us health care professional advice to quit is an important motivator for attempting to stop smoking. . .and being successful.

What is the purpose of the TFW Medical Advisory Council?

The TFW Medical Advisory Council is integral to the current organizational strategic plan. The goal is to engage health care providers to provide expert review of tobacco control efforts, input in identifying and sharing best practices, and promote awareness of TFW activities to coordinate community interventions. Health care professionals interested in participating should contact Kim Neufeld at kneufeld@kafponline.org

As a health care provider, what resources are available to help me support my patients in quitting?

Talking with your patients about quitting tobacco use has never been easier. A number of referral resources exist to support your work with patients, including the toll-free 1-800-QUIT-NOW quitline. Contact Kim Neufeld at kimneufeld@med-soc.org for FREE patient Quit Kits, quitline resources, and staff training. See additional resources below:

 

• Download more information on the Kansas Tobacco Quitline HERE
• Download and print a copy of the Kansas Tobacco Quitline fax referral form HERE
• Order FREE Kansas Quitline and other tobacco cessation information 
• Need help talking to your patients about their plan to quit? Get tips on using the 5A’s HERE
• Find Reimbursement codes beyond Meaningful Use HERE