Publication date: Oct 15, 2024

Preliminary data indicate that smoking cessation offered in a rolling group format is feasible and effective. The current study evaluated the implementation and outcomes of the remote Courage to Quit-Rolling Virtual (CTQ-RV) smoking group treatment compared to its precursor in-person format (Courage to Quit-Rolling, CTQ-R). Virtual materials for CTQ-RV were adapted from in-person evidence-based programming, thus content in both groups was similar but delivered via videoconference or in-person. We used an interrupted time series design to examine feasibility by comparing attendance, monthly enrollment, and program completion between those who attended CTQ-R (July 2018-March 2020) versus CTQ-RV (April 2020-December 2022). There were 611 patients enrolled in tobacco cessation (N = 221 CTQ-R, N = 390 CTQ-RV). The average age was 59. 4 years and most patients reported Black/African American race (81%) and female sex (69. 5%). CTQ-RV proved feasible relative to CTQ-R, with higher rates of attendance (5. 5 vs. 2. 7 sessions, respectively), program completion (39. 4% vs. 19%) and increased enrollment across each year (from 44. 6 sessions per month in CTQ-R vs. 72. 3 in CTQ-RV). CTQ-RV patients requested nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) at substantially higher rates (81. 4%) than CTQ-R members (42. 1%). Self-reported smoking abstinence at final session was higher in CTQ-RV compared with CTQ-R (33. 3% vs. 15. 7%). Within CTQ-RV, more than half (57%) of patients attended by video format, with outreach improving rates of video attendance each year. Results show that a transition to virtual rolling enrollment smoking group treatment is feasible and can augment treatment outcomes, such as engagement, NRT use, and self-reported cessation.

Semantics

Original Article