Discipline: Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
Subcategory: Social Sciences/Psychology/Economics
Session: 3
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Brian Washington - University of New Orleans
Co-Author(s): Mirandy Li, BS, Qingzhao Yu, PhD, Tyrunet Bryant, MPH, Michael D. Celestin, Jr., MA, CHES, NCTTS; Louisiana State University Health Science Center, School of Public Health
Cigarette smoke causes cancer and increases one’s risk of cancer-related mortality. People under the age of forty who quit smoking reduce their chances of dying from smoking-related diseases by 90%, and effective patient-provider communication aids in smoking cessation efforts. Patients that experience effective patient-provider communication have better recovery habits, mindsets, and health outcomes. This study examined differences in quality measures of patient-provider communication among smokers and nonsmokers. Using a cross-sectional study design, we examined nationally represented data from the 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Measures of patient-provider communication included how often respondents reported providers: 1) gave them enough time to ask questions, 2) gave attention needed to their feelings and emotions, 3) involved them in decision making, 4) made sure they understood their treatment options, and 5) explained things in a way they could understand, 6) spent enough time, 7) help them deal with feelings of uncertainty about their healthcare. Descriptive statistics included age, gender, race, income, education, and whether the patient ever had cancer. Chi-square analysis determined differences between respondents who reported current tobacco use and respondents who reported no tobacco use. Logistic regression determined the relationship between smoking status and patient-provider communication variables after adjusting for covariates.
The sample included 6,789 participants, of which 38% were current smokers. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) between smokers and non-smokers for each measure of patient-provider communication except for explain[ing] things in a way [they] could understand. After controlling for all variables, compared to non-smokers, smokers were more likely to report that a health care provider did not ?give [them] the chance to ask all the health-related questions [they] had? (OR 0.744, 95% CI 0.562-0.933, p=0.041), involve [them] in decisions about [their] health care as much as [they] wanted? (OR 0.666, 95% CI 0.523-0.853, p=0.001) nor help [them] deal with feelings of uncertainty about [their] health or health care (OR 0.777, 95% CI 0.630-0.963, p=0.019). Our analysis revealed room for improvement in patient-provider communication for smokers. Future interventions that improve patient-provider communication among smokers may aid tobacco cessation efforts.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Puri, Apuri@uno.edu
Role: My research began with literature reviews of tobacco cessation research. I examined nationally represented data from the 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). I then used the data to run a cross-sectional analysis. I received help from my junior mentor for chi-square analysis. After examining the results I designed my poster board.