Implementing Smokeless Tobacco Instruction Into Medical Student Education: Addressing the Gap

Abstract

Background: Despite the unique health and epidemiological aspects of smokeless tobacco use, medical education regarding this topic is virtually lacking. Description: The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive tobacco curriculum that includes smokeless tobacco education. A thorough review of the literature was carried out to develop includes 8 modules in basic and clinical sciences that are evaluated by pretest/posttest increases in knowledge as well as standardized patient encounters and process evaluation. Evaluation: Pretest/posttest data indicate that students increased knowledge on specific smokeless tobacco questions. Students also scored well on interactions with standardized patients using the Tobacco Intervention Risk Factor Interview Scale, a validated instrument to assess medical students' tobacco counseling skills. Process evaluation data indicate that modules were generally well received. Conclusions: This Web-based, comprehensive curriculum—the only curriculum we are aware of treating the topic of smokeless tobacco use—appears to be effective and well received. Smokeless tobacco should be included in medical education.

This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute grant R25CA096562.

Notes

^aStatistical analysis = paired t test

^a n = 98

^b n = 169

^c n = 111