3 - (OP11) Evaluation of a Two-phase National Standardized Smoking Cessation Training Program for Health Care Service Providers in China: A Pretest-posttest Study

Background: Tobacco use remains a primary global public health threat, particularly in China, where over one million deaths annually are attributed to tobacco-related diseases. While health care service providers (HSPs) are critical in delivering interventions, many lack professional training, and smoking cessation services remain underutilized in clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a national standardized smoking cessation training program designed to enhance the capacity of HSPs.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using a pretest–posttest design conducted in two independent 5-day phases in 2024. A total of 67 participants (Phase I: n = 41; Phase II: n = 26) provided valid data. The intervention integrated theoretical instruction with immersive practical exercises, including Balint group communication training, clinical department visits, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Primary outcomes measured changes in participants' tobacco cessation knowledge, willingness, confidence, and clinical skills via self-reported Likert scales. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and covariate-adjusted ANCOVA to compare effects between experienced and novice groups.

Results: The training program demonstrated considerable effectiveness, significantly enhancing HSPs' knowledge of tobacco dependence and smoking cessation (p < 0.001 for both phases). Participants showed significant improvements in their willingness and frequency of skill application (p < 0.05 for both phases). Confidence levels also improved after training, but this improvement was not statistically significant in phase II (p = 0.001 for phase I, p = 0.065 for phase II). While both novice and experienced HSPs benefited, inexperienced participants in Phase I made more substantial gains in knowledge comprehension (p = 0.01). Overall satisfaction was high, although the research-related curriculum was identified as an area for future improvement

Conclusion: The integrated approach of combining theoretical learning with practical application effectively solidified HSPs' competence. Despite limitations such as the lack of a control group and reliance on self-reported data, this program provides a viable model for scaling up tobacco control initiatives. Widespread implementation of such evidence-based training is essential to bolstering the capacity of HSPs and improving public health outcomes in China.