Date of Award

11-1-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing (ND)

First Advisor

Dr. Cheryl Fuller

Second Advisor

Dr. Brenda Hage

Abstract

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the world (WHO, 2008). Through both primary and secondary exposure, tobacco use affects every body system and every individual to whom nurses deliver care. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2012), each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. Despite these risks, approximately 46.6 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes (CDC, 2012). Tobacco abuse results in a costly burden on society. Annual smoking economic costs in the United States estimated for the years 2009–2012 were more than $289 billion, including at least $133 billion for direct medical care of adults, more than $156 billion in lost productivity, $5.6 billion (2006 data) for lost productivity due to exposure to secondhand smoke (CDC-MMWR, 2014). Quitting smoking is difficult and may require several attempts. Users often return to smoking because of withdrawal symptoms, stress, and weight gain (CDC, 2014). Stopping smoking is associated with many health benefits such as reducing the risk of lung and many other forms of cancers, reducing heart disease and reduced respiratory symptoms, and the reduction in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (CDC, 2014). According to the CDC (2014), of the current U.S. adult cigarette smokers, 68.8% report that they want to quit completely. Starting in 2002, the number of former smokers has exceeded the number of current smokers. Smoking cessation is offered in many different options and is supported by many insurances. The purpose of this evidence based project was to add to the current knowledge and demonstrate how the use of a smart phone application can be translated into real world clinical practice to improve quality of care to the adult smoker wishing to obtain cessation. The 7-day follow back count of cigarettes per day along with the Nicotine Dependence Symptom Scale questionnaire was used to measure the effectiveness of the intervention and the degree of dependence from the baseline data at pre-intervention. The evidence based change project was based on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral change as it guides people to act on new behaviors modifying problem behaviors to acquire positive ones. Thirty-one potential participants were approached to participate in the project. Six participants were identified as interested in smoking cessation and agreed to participate. Soon only five would complete the project as one withdrew due to lack of interest. The data completed was analyzed and outcomes demonstrated that smoking cessation assistance through the help of a smart phone application can offer support and added motivation to quit smoking if the participant was interested in cessation. Additional scholarly inquiry regarding the topic is recommended.

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