WGOS1 smoking cessation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do optometrists approach the Wales General Ophthalmic Services eye examination (WGOS1) directed smoking cessation question?
IRAS ID
349825
Contact name
Rebecca John
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Velindre University NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death globally, linked to cancers, cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses, smokers are at an increased risk of developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and dry eye. the socioeconomic costs of smoking are significant, estimated to cost the NHS between £2.7 and £5.2 billion pounds a year, around 5% of the annual NHS budget. Smoking cessation improves health related quality of life, and reduces related socioeconomic costs. There is a critical need for public health strategies to reduce smoking prevalence and promote cessation.
Over 800,000 people attend primary care optometry practices in Wales each year. Optometrists are therefore well placed to identify the smoking status of a patient and provide advice and guidance on smoking cessation. Twelve moths ago, new regulations came into force which state that optometrists in Wales must ask each patient aged 16 and over, whether they smoke, and if they do to offer guidance and signposting to smoking cessation services.
This study seeks to explore whether optometrists are fulfilling this role, and what may be the barriers and enablers in them doing so. A questionnaire will be sent out to the 800 optometrists practicing in Wales seeking to understand; whether optometrists ask patients about their smoking status, the types of advice they offer to patients, their confidence and knowledge in discussing smoking and potential barriers. Optometrists will be asked simple demographic questions.
The results will provide insight into practitioner characteristics which impact upon practice, and barriers which may exist. They will be used to inform further service development, and development of interventions which may be required to support the profession meet their legal obligations.REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A