Today, smoking remains a major health problem in France, affecting 29% of the population, or nearly 16 million people. Although this figure is tending to decrease, the health consequences of smoking remain worrying, with one in two smokers dying as a result of their tobacco consumption.
The decision to quit smoking is one of the most beneficial for your health. However, nicotine addiction often makes this difficult.
This is where physiotherapists can intervene : thanks to the law to modernize our health system of January 26, 2016, their role in supporting patients in quitting smoking is reinforced, in particular with the possibility of prescribing nicotine substitute treatments.
The National Council of the Order of Physiotherapists underlines, moreover, the essential role of physiotherapists in stopping smoking for their patients.
The High Authority of Health (HAS), for its part, recommends that all health professionals in contact with the population engage in smoking cessation assistance by participating in screening, informing patients of the risks and helping them to start the weaning process.
The opinion of the working group which drafted the recommendations for good practices in favor of smoking cessation underlines that all health professionals are legitimate to talk about tobacco with their patients and play a role in referral to treatment.
Physical therapists are in a unique position to initiate and support smoking cessation among their patients. Through their repeated contact and extended follow-up periods, they can provide ongoing support to people wanting to quit smoking or find opportunities to discuss smoking with their patients depending on their specialty.
For example, a physiotherapist can raise the issue with parents when treating bronchiolitis in a baby, with patients undergoing rehabilitation after a stroke, a heart attack, a sporting accident, childbirth, and of course, during rehabilitation. patients with COPD.
It is important to note that 97% of smokers are unable to quit smoking without help, which highlights the importance for health professionals to be informed about tobacco addiction, recommended cessation methods, and to know how to identify situations requiring external help, whether psychological or medical.
However, it is important to note that training in smoking cessation support is currently insufficient, whether during initial training or as part of continuing training. Although some aware practitioners seek training, tobacco prevention is not yet fully integrated into the culture of the profession. However, this prevention mission is essential for improving public health.
Ultimately, we can play a major role in the process of stopping smoking. By working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and strengthening our
skills in this area, we can make a significant contribution to helping our patients achieve their smoking cessation goals.
And you ? As a health professional, do you have any obstacles regarding your role in supporting people to stop smoking?