BACKGROUND: Brief advice for tobacco cessation is a critical component in the reduction of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. This qualitative study, based on the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model, investigates the enablers and barriers to the implementation of brief tobacco cessation advice in healthcare settings.
METHODS: The exploratory qualitative study followed COREQ guidelines to explore the integration of brief tobacco cessation advice in healthcare. Data were collected during a webinar panel discussion involving diverse stakeholders, including healthcare practitioners, public health specialists, policymakers, representatives from non-governmental and civil society organizations, and tobacco control advocates. The panel discussion was recorded and transcribed verbatim. A combination of deductive and inductive thematic analysis techniques was applied to the transcripts, with the COM-B model guiding the classification of themes into the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation domains. Using deductive content analysis, the coding scheme was established based on the COM-B model. For cross-validation of emergent themes researchers have dicsussion. Data saturation was established as there were no more new themes that emerged.
RESULTS: Three key themes were identified in the study: capability, opportunity, and motivation. Capability gaps included inadequate training and awareness of cessation advice to be integrated in routine practice. Opportunity barriers included limited resources, lack of institutional policies, and competing priorities hindering routine integration of cessation advice. Motivation was influenced by professional values, patient receptivity, and perceived intervention efficacy. Cross-cutting themes call for collaborative policies, expanded referral systems, and intersectoral partnerships to strengthen cessation efforts.
CONCLUSIONS: Brief tobacco cessation advice should be integrated into routine healthcare. Multi-level barriers need to be addressed in this process. Recommendations included customized training based on the requirements of healthcare providers and enhanced support at the institution level along with intersectoral collaboration. Strengthened tobacco control is expected to reduce the global burden of tobacco-induced diseases.