Smoking behavior and delivery of evidence based care for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders
2011
Smoking and Rehabilitation for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injuries
Sample size: 55
Commentary
Evidence: low
Author Information
Author(s): Frisbie James H.
Primary Institution: St. Paul, Minnesota
Hypothesis
Rehabilitation providers can help veterans abstain from smoking after spinal cord injuries.
Conclusion
There is a significant opportunity for rehabilitation providers to assist veterans in quitting smoking following spinal cord injuries.
Supporting Evidence
- 73% of veterans smoked at the time of their spinal cord injury.
- Less than half of those who quit smoking did so during their initial hospitalization.
- Early abstainers cited health concerns or loss of taste for cigarettes as reasons for quitting.
Takeaway
After a spinal cord injury, many veterans have a chance to stop smoking, and doctors can help them do it.
Methodology
Follow-up interviews conducted over an average of 18 years.
Limitations
The study only included a small sample of veterans who quit smoking.
Participant Demographics
Veterans with spinal cord injuries.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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