SmokeCheck training workshops
SmokeCheck consists of a one day training workshop. It is for anyone providing healthcare to Aboriginal clients, both in a mainstream or community controlled health setting. The workshop prepares participants to use smoking cessation brief intervention in their routine contacts with Aboriginal clients.
Topics covered include understanding the health, social and cultural effects of tobacco use in Aboriginal communities, and how to provide advice to support Aboriginal clients to quit smoking. Participants are trained to use culturally specific resources that have been developed to deliver the SmokeCheck brief intervention to Aboriginal people.
We have been implementing the SmokeCheck brief intervention training workshops all across NSW Ministry of Health Local Health Districts since 2007 (previously Area Health Services). Our aim is to reach as many Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) and health service organisations in NSW as possible.
What is covered in the SmokeCheck workshops
The SmokeCheck brief intervention is based on the ‘Stages of readiness to change model’ developed by Prochaska & DiClemente in19831. The use of motivational treatments has been shown to be effective in those smokers who may be unwilling to quit at the time of contact2.
The SmokeCheck brief intervention involves assessing people’s readiness and motivation to quit smoking, and uses the 5As approach (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange follow up) to giving advice.
| The one day health worker training workshop curriculum aims to increase participant's knowledge and skills in: | |
|---|---|
| Smoking prevalence: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders & general population | Brief intervention, the 5As & motivational interviewing |
| Health effects of tobacco | Role of health workers in using SmokeCheck to ask, assess, advise, assist, and arrange follow-up |
| Social determinants of Indigenous health | Nicotine replacement therapy and other quit smoking aids |
| Health promotion & stages of change | Environmental tobacco smoke (passive smoking) |
The SmokeCheck workshop timetable can be found here.
1- Prochaska, JO & DiClemente, CC 1983, ‘Stages and processes of self-change in smoking: towards an integrative model of change’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, vol. 51, pp. 390 - 395.
2- Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. April 2008.
