Evaluating the impact of specialized tobacco trainings on the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for tobacco in mental health treatment settings

Despite the high prevalence of tobacco use, disproportionate tobacco consumption, and excess morbidity and mortality, smokers with mental illness still have reduced access to tobacco dependence treatment across the health care spectrum. We have developed a comprehensive model for implementing Mental Health Tobacco Recovery in New Jersey (MHTR-NJ) that has the overarching goal of improving tobacco cessation for smokers with mental illness. We recognize there is a need for specific implementation models for addressing tobacco in mental health settings as few currently exist and providers are struggling to develop initiatives in this area. To address this need, we are conducting and evaluating three tobacco trainings for behavioral health professionals, based on MHTR-NJ, about 1) treatment and wellness initiatives 2) peer programs and 3) systems change. We are assessing how these trainings subsequently influence provider behavior and agency changes. Specifically, we are evaluating the impact of trainings on agency change in one or more of these three areas. Also, we are assessing attendees' knowledge acquisition and identification and implementation of a Quality Improvement (QI) project. The QI project is determined by the participant and/or the behavioral health agency they represent. Our role in the overall training project is to help them develop a feasible QI project and the evaluation is meant to document this planning and implementation process. Participants' attitudes and practices about tobacco issues among smokers with mental illness are also assessed since studies indicate few of these professionals actively address tobacco in their current work. Data collection is underway.