Development of tailored, tobacco cessation, email messages for communication with smokers participating in a randomized controlled trial

Background: Tailored health communications are highly effective in promoting and maintaining behavior change compared to standardized non-tailored interventions. Using web-based applications such as email messaging to facilitate behavior change in smokers is economically feasible and can overcome geographic barriers. Combining web-based technologies with tailored health communication strategies may effectively enhance smoking cessation efforts. Purpose: This presentation will describe the method utilized in developing tailored email communications for a randomized controlled trial directed at smoking cessation. Methods: Guided by the US Public Health Service Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence Guideline for health care providers and review of the literature, researchers developed over 200 brief messages tailored to adult smokers based on their readiness to quit. To assist with development of messages a multi-step approach was implemented that involved 1) integration of stages of change related to smokers' readiness to quit 2) utilization of key behavioral theory constructs from transtheoretical model and health belief model such as self efficacy, decisional balance, perceived susceptibility and cues to action 3) review by a panel of physicians and nurses with expertise in tobacco control and tobacco treatment specialists to establish content and face validity. The tailored smoking cessation messages will be tested in a web-based tobacco control intervention for adults referred to the site by health care providers. Implications: Tailoring email messages to individuals has great potential for enhancing the effectiveness of smoking cessation communications while providing a cost effective mechanism for reaching a greater number of people in real time.