Smoking cessation in primary care: Exploration of barriers and solutions in current daily practice from the perspective of smokers and healthcare professionals

Background: Evidence based recommendations for smoking cessation are not followed in routine primary care. A better understanding is needed why smoking cessation treatment is still underutilized.Objectives: To explore barriers and solutions of smoking cessation treatment, from the perspective of smokers and healthcare professionals in Dutch primary care.Methods: Focus groups were conducted with 14 smokers (smokers and ex-smokers) and semi-structured individual interviews with nine healthcare professionals (general practitioners and practice nurses). Data was analysed using the Constant Comparative Method.Results: Barriers that prevented successful smoking cessation treatment were the lack of awareness regarding the available smoking cessation treatments at the healthcare centre among smokers and the resistance against preventive tasks among healthcare professionals. Nonetheless, general practitioners (GPs) did not fear jeopardizing the doctor–patient relationship by discussing smoking. Quitting was regard...