CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Quitline - spice it up! Modern approach to quitline service, example of Poland
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Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
Publication date: 2021-09-02
Corresponding author
Magdalena Cedzynska
Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2021;19(Suppl 1):A187
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Quitline is recommended as one of the approaches to support tobacco users in quitting for implementation of Article 14 of the WHO FCTC. The Polish Quitline was established in 1996 as the first national quitline in CEE.
Objectives:
To increase the attractiveness and availability of Quitline, especially for young people.
Methods:
Online tools have been developed as a support of traditional Quitline service. They are: (1) website on how to quit smoking adapted to mobile devices, (2) Facebook fanpage and online services, (3) counselling through website form, (4) online requesting for Quitline proactive service. The website structure is divided into a few modules dedicated to different needs of users. The smoking cessation section provides simple tips on how to stop smoking step by step. Other sections are dedicated to relatives of smokers, pregnant women, etc. Self- help materials are also available through the website. Since 2019, smokers can use an online form to ask for a proactive help from Quitline. All the user has to do to obtain a call from Quitline staff is to enter his name and phone number in the form. Smokers can use as well an online form to send a message/question to a specialist.
Results:
Website: in the years 2016-2019, there were over 1200000 page views per year. One third of the users visit the website several times. In the years 2018-2019, a vast majority of website visitors accessed it through mobile phones (over 70%). Facebook fanpage: in the years 2016-2019, there were over 11000 views per year. Online service: From 2016-2019, Quitline counsellors replied to 250 letters per year on average. Online request for proactive service from Quitline: in 2019, we received over 840 online requests.
Conclusion(s):
The online service is an attractive and desirable tool to help people quit smoking and it should be a part of modern Quitline service.