Implementation Strategies to Improve Tobacco Treatment for UF Health Cancer Center Patients

Study Design: This study uses a mixed methods approach and will inform the design of a pragmatic clinical trial to improve the delivery of tobacco use treatment services to cancer patients.

Study Setting: The pilot study will be conducted at the UF Health Medical Oncology and Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) clinics. Smoking is the leading cause of head and neck cancers, and almost one-third of patients continue to smoke after their head and neck cancer diagnosis, making this a priority population for intervention.

Population: UF Health cancer patients ≥18 yrs old who are current smokers and smartphone users; for mCBT, the investigators will also ensure CO breath sample >5 parts per million (ppm). Patients with unstable medical or psychiatric illness or use disorder for illicit drugs will be excluded.

Procedures: The investigators will request Epic access to identify potential subjects and schedule recruitment during clinic hours. Research assistants (RAs) will be at the Medical Oncology and ENT clinics to meet with eligible patients during their visit. RAs will approach eligible patients at checkout after they are introduced by someone who has a clinical relationship with the patient. Following screening and brief counseling by the provider, RAs will offer eligible patients the 3 TUT options (i.e., AHEC, Quitline, or mCBT), obtain informed consent using REDCap (eConsent) or a paper consent (if desired by the patient), administer the Patient Exit Interview (PEI) in REDCap, and arrange a follow-up phone interview. Patients who choose AHEC/Quitline will be referred by a nurse using Epic. Those choosing mCBT will be trained on the use of Vidyo and the iCOTM Smokelyzer® by the RA, and follow-up will be arranged with a CTTS counselor.

Participants in mCBT will meet with a trained certified tobacco treatment counselor on Vidyo for 30 minutes, once a week, for 6 weeks. The counselor will cover topics that include addiction, withdrawal, dealing with triggers, overcoming cravings, and relapse prevention. At enrollment, investigators will offer mCBT participants-if interested-a 2-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The 2-week supply of NRT is consistent with what is offered to participants at AHEC and the Quitline. Participants who smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day will receive 14 mg of NRT, and those who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day will receive 21 mg of NRT. Medical clearance from the provider will be obtained prior to NRT administration. At the end of the study (week 12), participants (all participants in mCBT and a random sample of patients referred to AHEC/Quitline) will complete the follow-up telephone interview. At the end of the study, participants (AHEC/Quitline & mCBT) may also provide a saliva sample to test their cotinine level; this process will be remotely monitored via Vidyo for participants in mCBT and participants in AHEC/Quitline will be encouraged to contact study staff to answer any questions they may have. Evaluation tools also consist of Patient Exit Interviews and Telephone Survey to be administered among research participants.