Using technology to serve patients and practitioners: A comprehensive tobacco-cessation program for cancer patients

Abstract

The infusion of technology into clinical practice has increased in recent years. Tobacco use has been reported to be the most preventable cause of illness and death in our society. The following article details the use of technology in the development of a comprehensive, institution-wide, tobacco-cessation program at a large cancer centre. Technologies, including Internet-based data collection, electronic database systems, asynchronous-email communication, and telephone counselling, were utilized to support the program's infrastructure, to coordinate the patient's care within the institution, and to deliver therapeutic services. Preliminary data from the clinical program are presented. A discussion about incorporating technology into clinical practice is presented, including suggestions for practitioners who may be interested in expanding or extending their services with new technologies.

Keywords:

• Technology
• computer-mediated communication
• Internet-based services
• tobacco-cessation
• smoking-cessation
• treatment
• cancer