SmokeCheck Indigenous Tobacco Brief Intervention Project
The development of the Indigenous Tobacco Brief Intervention Project is a collaborative research initiative between Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services (ATODS) and the Centre for Drug and Alcohol Studies (CDAS), The Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District Alcohol and Drug Service.
Smoking is a major health problem for Indigenous Queenslanders. The smoking death rate for Indigenous people is about three times higher than the Queensland average. In addition, smoking related hospital admissions for Indigenous people are 2.4 times higher than the Queensland average.
SmokeCheck is a program for health professionals working with Indigenous clients. It was developed through collaboration between health promotion officers at Queensland Health’s Tropical Public Health Unit and health staff of Indigenous health services in North Queensland.
Evidence for the use of brief intervention in primary health care settings is well established. SmokeCheck is running a concurrent research project involving more than 100 participants to evaluate the efficacy of SmokeCheck Indigenous Tobacco Brief Intervention. SmokeCheck offers a brief intervention, motivational interviewing approach appropriate for Indigenous clients. Culturally appropriate resource materials have been designed to complement training and include a series of colour pamphlets for use with clients, which correspond to each of four stages-of-change. An option for pregnant women who smoke is also available.
SmokeCheck offers all health professionals working with Indigenous clients a sound, useful and time efficient clinical tool for smoking cessation assessment and intervention.
Currently 350 health workers state-wide have been trained in SmokeCheck brief intervention. Training workshops across Queensland will be ongoing. Health workers currently trained will receive support through refresher trainings, SmokeCheck newsletters and one-to-one support. A train the trainer program is planned to ensure the sustainability of SmokeCheck Brief Intervention.
SmokeCheck training and resource materials are provided free of charge.
Updates
To receive regular SmokeCheck updates register for the SmokeCheck newsletter by emailing a mailing address to pele_bennet@health.qld.gov.au
Contact
Ms Carla Schlesinger
Manager, State-wide Services
Alcohol and Drug Training and Resource Unit
Alcohol & Drug Service
The Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District
Telephone: +61-7-3238 4065
Email: carla_schlesinger@health.qld.gov.au
This page last updated:
10 November, 2005
Review date: July, 2006
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