Increasing Tobacco Use Cessation: Provider Reminders When Used Alone

Task Force Finding*

Provider reminders involve efforts to identify tobacco product-using patients and to prompt providers to discuss and/or advise patients on cessation. Techniques by which reminders are delivered include chart stickers, vital sign stamps, medical record flow sheets, and checklists. The content of provider reminders can vary, and provider reminder systems are often combined with other interventions, such as provider education and patient education. These multicomponent interventions are considered separately below.

Based on sufficient scientific evidence of effectiveness in increasing provider delivery of advice to quit, provider reminders are recommended (1) whether used alone or as part of a multicomponent intervention (see “Provider reminder plus provider education, with or without patient education” section below), (2) across a range of intervention characteristics (chart stickers, checklists, and flowcharts), and (3) in a variety of clinical settings and populations.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations regarding interventions to reduce tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. [PDF - 1.46KB] Am J Prev Med 2001;20(2S):10-5.

Review completed: February 2000