Objective: This national study examined the practices and perceptions of smoking cessation activities among child and adolescent psychiatrists.
Method: A random sample of child and adolescent psychiatrists was identified from the membership list of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and was mailed a valid and reliable 34-item questionnaire.
Results: A total of 184 responses (47%) were received. A plurality (48%) of psychiatrists reported being self-taught in smoking cessation techniques. A majority (67%) of psychiatrists were in the maintenance stage for asking about smoking status. However, only 19% consistently made attempts to assess willingness to quit, and 30% consistently gave messages urging the smoker to quit. The perceived number of barriers for addressing smoking was negatively correlated with psychiatrists' levels of confidence (r = -0.35, p <.001) and preparedness (r = -0.39, p <.001) in addressing smoking cessation. Estimations by the psychiatrists of youths who smoked were 61% of those with conduct disorders, 46% of those with schizophrenia, and 40% of those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Conclusion: Considering the perceived high rate of patient smoking and the lack of formal training in smoking cessation, more postgraduate education is needed to adequately prepare child and adolescent psychiatrists for addressing tobacco cessation.