Dissemination Models of Tobacco Cessation Brief Intervention Training for Communities

Audience: Until recently, tobacco cessation brief intervention training has been primarily within the healthcare context. Evidence suggests that non-clinical, community “health influencers” are both motivated to assist tobacco users in quitting and easily engaged in training to do so.  This presentation, aimed toward program planners, health educators and those in community engagement, introduces several dissemination models of the “Helpers Program”.  Though this evidence-based tobacco cessation training is informed by the 5A’s clinical model, it is explicitly adapted for non-clinical individuals, avoiding treatment jargon and focusing on practical, everyday skills application.

Key Points: Developed by the University of Arizona Department of Family and Community Medicine, Helpers is a multimedia, interactive training that emphasizes tobacco-user centered, non-confrontational communication techniques that draw upon the 5As approach for brief interventions, as well as a focus on referral to existing services (e.g. quitlines). This presentation highlights findings from dissemination of the Helpers Program in three statewide implementations in New Jersey, Maine, and Arizona; as well as from an organization-wide deployment as part of a tobacco-free worksite policy implementation. 

Educational Experience: Through panel presentation, attendees will learn about dissemination strategies such as a traditional “train the trainer” model versus a “master training of trainers” and worksite-based strategies. In addition, the experiences of States and organizations offering the Helpers Program in different formats (Web vs. combined Web and in-person) will be shared. Implementation strengths and challenges will also be discussed.

Benefits: This presentation provides examples and practical strategies for engaging non-clinical community members in tobacco cessation training.