Authors (including presenting author) :
Lau WH(1), Wong MT(1), Lin WC(1), Kan YS(1), Lo MY(1), Lai ML(1), Law KW(1), Lam PH(1), Chiu WH (1), Leung SY (1), Leung KW(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Family Medicine
Introduction :
The Smoking Counselling and Cessation Program (SCCP) has been operating in the General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) of New Territory of East Cluster (NTEC) since 2003. However, due to an increase in phone fraud cases, patients often avoid answering unknown calls leading to a rise in the lost to follow-up rate. This challenge has adversely affected the success quit rate among patients. According to SCCP statistics of NTEC from 1/2023 to 12/2023, the lost to follow-up rate increased 2.5 % in the 1st month follow-up, 9% in 6th month follow-up and 13.5% in 12th month follow-up. At the same period the quit rate dropped by 1% ,6.2% and 15.7% in the 1st month, 6th month and 12th month follow up respectively. To address these issues, the WhatsApp follow up method was implemented in SCCP starting on the 17th of June 2024.
Objectives :
• Reduce lost to follow up cases. • Enhance communication between patients and nurse counselors • Empower patients to quit smoking and improve their quality of life
Methodology :
The WhatsApp follow-up method was implemented in the Smoking Counselling and Cessation Centers located in North District, Tai Po District and Shatin District, covering a total of nine centers in NTEC. The workflow was redesigned to allow patients to follow-up via WhatsApp. Patient with poor vision, illiteracy or those unfamiliar with WhatsApp were excluded from this follow-up method. During the first visit, nurse counselor invited patients to use the WhatsApp follow-up method if they were unreachable by telephone. If patient accepted, verbal consent was obtained. The nurse counselors would guide them to activate the communication function on WhatsApp. .
Result & Outcome :
The results significant showed that the WhatsApp follow-up method may contribute to reduce lost to follow-up and improve success quit rate. Comparison with Q3 in 2023 and 2024, the lost follow-up rate was reduced to 9.47% (13.59%-4.12%), 11.06% (24.72% to 13.66%) and 8.87% (26.57% to 17.7%) and the quit rate was increased 10.53% (84.7% to 95.25%), 7.48% (66.29% to 73.77%) and 6.41% (60.14% to 67.55%) in 1st, 6th and 12th month follow-up after using the WhatsApp follow-up method. The integration of the WhatsApp follow-up method into the Smoking Counseling and Cessation Program enhanced communication and accessibility, nurse counselors can provide ongoing support and encouragement to patients. It may strengthen patients striving to quit smoking. Future evaluations will be critical in determining the long-term success of this approach.
