FEB/MAR 2006
Volume 12 - No. 1

SRNT Newsletter

February/March 2006, Volume 12, Number 1

In the Spotlight

John Hughes and Dorothy Hatsukami have revised the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale and its website (http://www.uvm.edu/~hbpl/?Page=minnesota/default.html ). The revised scale (now called MNWS-R) has been changed slightly to include some promising new symptoms. The website has some new information on methods of analysis and review articles. The website also has links to other withdrawal scales. Feel free to email John (john.hughes@uvm.edu) for questions or reprints.

Nina Schneider has developed a new scale: the Smoker Anchored Withdrawal Grid (W-Grid or Grid; Schneider, 2005). This measure is a variation of the Smoker Complaint Scale (SCS), in use since 1984, which consists of 20 items (3 craving, 17 withdrawal) rated on a 7-point Likert scale (plus 11 physical items scored yes/no). The Grid lets the user see all previous responses (for direct comparison) and track the course of 20 craving/withdrawal items. There is an additional "# of urges/day" item for use in clinical trials or clinic settings. The tracking is useful as "feedback" in a clinic setting. In contrast to the SCS (and similar withdrawal scales), the new format consists of a single page "grid" with time points as columns and craving/withdrawal items as rows. Scoring is on a 1-10 scale but any scaling can be used. Researchers or clinicians can decide which items to include as well as delineating time points. The SCS and Smoker Anchored Withdrawal Grid (W-Grid or Grid) are published online at www.PROQOLID.org and can be accessed by clicking on "free access" and then search by "Author's Name" and click on "S"" You can also click on "public domain access" for more information These measures can also be obtained directly from Dr. Schneider (ngs@ucla.edu ).

Gary Giovino, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, was awarded the 2006 Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Award by the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO).

Melanie Wakefield, Ph.D., was awarded an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Principal Research Fellowship (2006-2010) to pursue her studies of media influences on tobacco use. Co-investigators are Vicki White, Rob Donovan, Julie Simpson, Simon Chapman and Mohammad Siahpush. Dr. Wakefield serves as Director and NHMRC Principal Research Fellow at the Cancer Control Research Institute in Victoria, Australia ( http://www.cancervic.org.au/cbrc ).

A special nicotine issue of Psychopharmacology was released on February 17th. Darlene Bunzell and several other SRNT members have papers in that issue.

"Help Your Patients Quit Smoking" Become a Tobacco Dependence Treatment Specialist through the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's School of Public Health, Tobacco Dependence Program. The 2006 dates for their 5-DAY TRAINING programs are: April 3-7, June 12-16, and September 25-29. This program has been specializing in providing intensive training for Tobacco Dependence Treatment Specialists since 2000. The 5-day curriculum prepares health care professionals to provide treatment for tobacco dependence. Participants gain an in-depth understanding of Tobacco Addiction as well as essential evidence-based treatment tools necessary to help their patient's achieve freedom from tobacco. The nationally recognized faculty brings a wealth of expertise in tobacco control, nicotine addiction, medical consequences of tobacco use, treatment of tobacco dependence, program development and evaluation, as well as treating special populations such as those with mental illness, other addictions, or young people. The training format allows for an interactive and comprehensive educational experience. This training is based on the US Public Health Service Guidelines for Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. Participants will learn how to assess nicotine dependence, conduct treatment planning and deliver face-to-face treatment, including counseling and the use of medications. Participants can expect to leave the training competent to effectively treat patients for tobacco dependence with knowledge of the latest research-based medications and behavioral techniques and to provide other services that will help their organizations address tobacco use. This nationwide training is offered four times per year and meets the necessary educational requirements as described in the Public Health Guidelines, ATTUD - the Association for Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence and to become a "Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist" through The Certification Board, Inc. To register, check our website at: www.tobaccoprogram.org or contact Joan.maurer@umdnj.edu for more information.

The University of Massachusetts Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control is pleased to announce its 2006 Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) trainings. Basic Skills for Working with Smokers is a self-paced online course which is designed as an introduction to the basic concepts needed by professionals who are working with tobacco users. CEUs are available for nurses, social workers, respiratory therapists, certified health education specialists, and certified substance abuse counselors. This course is also a prerequisite for the more intensive TTS Core Certification course, described below. Cost: $100 ($125, effective 2/1/06). Schedule. Ongoing. Tobacco Treatment Specialist Core Certification Training is held in Worcester, Massachusetts. This is an intensive 5-day program designed to help tobacco treatment providers master the necessary core competencies for providing evidence-based treatment for nicotine dependence. Completion of the Basic Skills online course prior to attending Core Certification training is required. Persons interested in certification (optional) as a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS) must complete this core training before continuing with the rest of the certification process. Participants are required to be tobacco-free at least 6 months prior to the training. Cost: $800 Massachusetts residents; $950 out-of-state residents. Schedule: April 10-14, 2006; September 18-22, 2006. Registration deadline is March 20 for the April course and August 29 for the September course. To register or for more information, please go to www.umassmed.edu/behavmed/tobacco and click on TTS Training and Certification. You may also call Beth Ewy at 508-856-2935 for additional information.

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention's (UW-CTRI) website is an excellent resource for evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment information. It is nationally recognized for its leadership in reducing the burden of illness due to tobacco use. Materials on the website are non-proprietary and available to download. Highlights to UW-CTRI website include:

Training manual with video - Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: Practical
Strategies to Help Your Patient Quit
Training manual - Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence in Hospitalized Smokers
Fact sheets on quitting tobacco
CME/CE link on Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence (link to Medscape)
PowerPoint presentation - Tobacco Dependence Treatment
Link to AHRQ clinician packet _ Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: A How-To Packet for Implementing the USPHS Clinical Practice Guideline

To view additional information and/or download materials from the website please click on the following link: www.ctri.wisc.edu.

The ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education & Research of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is pleased to offer 2 training opportunities for treating tobacco dependence. The ACT Center has trained Tobacco Specialists since 2000. Intensive Treatment of the Tobacco Dependent Patient: A Certification Program for Tobacco Treatment Specialists (April 17 _ 20, 2006). This 4-day program prepares attendees to deliver a high-intensity tobacco intervention using interactive presentations and extensive hands-on experience. Training is evidence-based, emphasizing a cognitive-behavioral approach within the biopsychosocial model. While drawing heavily upon the Public Health Service Guideline (2000) "Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence," the curriculum is continually updated based on advances in the literature. This workshop meets current competency standards for Specialists set forth by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD). An understanding of addiction concepts, clinical assessment and the intervention approach are paramount. This program is organized in such a manner to emphasize the practical application of the information and experiences provided. Our faculty's considerable clinical and research expertise results in a comprehensive, high-quality training experience. A unique aspect of the teaching approach employed in this workshop is the in-depth, session-by-session practice in delivering the ACT Center Tobacco Treatment Program. This manualized approach has evolved over the past 20 years. All issues related to implementing this state-of-the-art treatment program are addressed, including administrative considerations, interpretation of clinical data, counseling strategies, medications, and program evaluation. Attendees receive (1) the Workshop Manual and resource disc, (2) Therapist Treatment Manual, (3) Patient Treatment Workbook, and (4) all clinic and administrative forms (relevant PDFs are included for quality duplication). The final requirement for certification as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS), recognized and approved by UMMC, is successful completion of the written examination. This may be done anytime within 6 months of workshop completion; offsite testing can be arranged. Special Note: The ACT Center has received funding from the Mississippi State Department of Health, allowing them to offer this program at the significantly reduced rate of $450 (free of charge for MS residents). The ACT Center offers this program on a semi-annual basis, as well as "update" programs for certification renewal. To register or for more information, please visit our website at http://actcenter.umc.edu/specialist_goal.html , or call Joyce Shelby @ (601) 815-1271.On April 17^th, the ACT Center is also offering a program called Brief Treatment of the Tobacco Dependent Patient: A Training Program for Healthcare Providers. Since Spring 1999, they have trained over 5,000 healthcare professionals using this evidence-based program. The foundation of this 4-hour workshop is the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) 5A's approach, and incorporates recommendations from the PHS (2000) Guideline, as well as additional components designed to promote an efficient and effective program delivery. This curriculum meets current competency standards for Brief Healthcare Interventions set forth by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD). Attention is given to integrating this program within the busy clinic routine. Attendees also receive information and materials to address important system-based considerations, and thereby foster a clinic environment conducive to managing tobacco dependence. Special Note: The ACT Center has received funding from the Mississippi State Department of Health, allowing them to offer this program at the significantly reduced rate of $30 (free of charge for MS residents). To register or for more information, please visit our website at http://actcenter.umc.edu/TreatingtheTobaccoUser.htm , or call Joyce Shelby (601) 815-1271.