Empowering the Cardiologist in the Smoking Cessation Effort

Program Title:
Empowering the Cardiologist in the Smoking Cessation Effort  

Issued: 7/16/2010

CME term of approval: 7/16/2011

Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 1.0 hour

Statement of Need:
Although cardiology patients who smoke need to quit to improve their health,  many cardiologists are unfamiliar with current smoking cessation guidelines, lack confidence in their ability to provide adequate smoking cessation counseling, and are frustrated by patients’ failed quit attempts. This activity will enable cardiologists to incorporate smoking cessation guidelines into existing ACC guidelines using a chronic disease model and presenting effective techniques for assessing patients’ readiness to quit, motivating patients who may be reluctant to quit, supporting patients through what may be multiple quit attempts, and helping those who successfully quit to remain smoke-free. This activity will thus address the ACGME core competencies of patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as the IOM competencies to provide patient-centered care, work in interdisciplinary teams,  and employ evidence-based practice.

Target Audience:
This activity is designed for cardiologists, nurses, nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals interested in reducing smoking-related mortality and morbidity using smoking cessation programs based on the Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence 2008 Update.

Learning Objectives:
After completing this self-study module, learners should be able to:
Summarize the evidence for increased cardiovascular disease risk in patients who smoke
Apply proven strategies from the Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence 2008 Update to assess patients’ willingness to make a quit attempt and motivate patients in efforts to quit smoking
Integrate appropriate smoking cessation interventions within the cardiovascular clinical practice utilizing the full clinical team to provide patients with a comprehensive approach to smoking cessation as part of their cardiac care
 Use a chronic disease model to formulate a management plan for smoking cessation within the cardiovascular clinical system.

CME Accreditation Statement:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, CME Enterprise, and ACCF. The University of Virginia School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Credit Designation:
The University of Virginia School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this CME activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

Contact Information:
Tamara W. Eberly, PhD, RN
Faculty Coordinator
University of Virginia CME
PO Box 800711
Room G-167 McKim Hall
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0711
434-924-1657
434-982-1415 (fax) 
teberly@virginia.edu

Sponsored by:
Sponsored by University of Virginia School of Medicine, CME Enterprise and the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Supported by:
This CME activity is supported by an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.