Evaluating longer term outcomes from NHS stop smoking services (ELONS) 

ELONS is an observational study, funded by NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) to explore the factors that determine longer term abstinence from smoking following intervention by NHS stop smoking services (SSS) in England.  The primary outcome will be biochemically validated prolonged abstinence at 12 months among smokers who have received different intervention types offered by the services, with particular emphasis on evaluating outcomes in more disadvantaged groups.

Aims

• To examine the effectiveness of NHS stop smoking services by PCT and intervention type using routine data
• To explore the reach of services by indentifying the proportion of the local population who set a quit date with services using routine data
• To describe the factors that determine longer term abstinence from smoking relapse to smoking amongst clients who set a date with the services in a sample of PCT's in England
• To examine the relationship between client characteristics (in particular socio-econmic status, age, gender, disability and ethnicity), adherence to treatment (session attendance and number of weeks pharacological products are taken) intervention type received, and longer term abstinence
• To create an evidence base to guide delivery of interventions by stop smoking services so that these interventions will have maximal effect on smoking cessation and population health

Methods    

• Design

    1. Secondary analysis of routine data collected by SSS using the North 51 database. All smokers who set a quit date with an SSS between Jan-Dec 2010

    2. Prospective study of 5000 service clients using NHS SSS in 6 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England with follow up at 4 weeks and 12 months. Between 370 and 1200 smokers will be recruited to interventions.

    3. Client satisfaction survey using a validated questionnaire

• Setting

    NHS SSSs in England

• Target population

    Smokers who make contact with NHS SSSs in England

• Health technologies

Existing treatment provided by SSSs is a combination of behavioural support and medication.  We will focus on evaluating outcomes for smokers who receive one of the 5 main forms of behavioural support (intervention types) provided.  These are: closed groups, rolling groups, one to one drop in, one to one appointments with a specialist adviser and one to one appointments with a sessional adviser.

Data collection

Data will collected at the following time points:

• Screening/Baseline Assessment (at quit date)

Enhanced monitoring form including sociodemographics and smoking behaviour

• At 4 weeks post quit date

Self assessed abstinence and CO measurement.
Patient satisfaction questionnaire.
SSS records, including weeks of pharmacotherapy taken, session attendance and uploads to the North51 database.

• At 52 weeks post quit date

Follow up by BMRB market research company to measure self assessed abstinence and CO measurement.