Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Building Australian oncology healthcare professionals’ capabilities for smoking cessation care: Process measure outcomes from the Care to Quit study (146079)

Melissa T McEnallay 1 2 , Christine L Paul 1 2 , Fiona Day 1 3 , Shalini Vinod 4 , Emily Stone 5 , Daniel Barker 1 2
  1. University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
  2. Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
  3. Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah, NSW, Australia
  4. South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
  5. St Vincent's Hospital Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background

Smoking cessation care is a pillar of high-quality cancer care and reflected as such in clinical practice guidelines. Oncology healthcare providers (HCPs) often report limited knowledge, skills and confidence in delivering evidence-based smoking cessation care, representing a significant barrier to implementation.

Aims

To examine oncology HCPs self-reported competencies regarding the provision of smoking cessation care following exposure to the Care to Quit (C2Q) implementation intervention.

Methods

C2Q was a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial involving nine Australian cancer settings in NSW (n=7) and Vic (n=2). All HCPs involved in the delivery of cancer care working in participating departments were eligible to participate. The implementation intervention was designed using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model of behaviour change and  was delivered over a period of approximately 12 months at each site. Process measures related to HCP perceptions and competencies in delivery of smoking cessation care were assessed before and after exposure to the C2Q intervention using an online REDCap survey distributed primarily via email. Paper copies were made available where preferred.

Results

A total of 177 HCPs completed the pre-intervention survey, and 125 completed the post-intervention survey. Survey completions numbers do not reflect the total number of staff exposed to the C2Q trial across the nine sites. Compared with pre-intervention responses, post intervention respondents reported significant differences in self-perceived competence regarding smoking cessation strategies (51% v 72%, p<0.001), knowledge regarding cessation medication (31% vs 54%, p = 0.004), and knowledge on referral pathways for behavioural support (54% v 75%, p<0.001) in comparison to pre-intervention survey responses. No significant changes were observed in staff attitudes towards smoking cessation care practices.

Conclusion

The Care to Quit implementation intervention had a positive effect on oncology healthcare professionals perceived competence for the provision of evidence-based smoking cessation care for people with cancer.