Using flow diagrams to improve tobacco cessation programs
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 12 June 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how the Wyoming Quit Tobacco Program (WQTP) is used by its subscribers and to better understand how WQTP might be connected to WQTP outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Provider intake and program use data corresponding to the May 2010 to March 2012 enrollment period (n=6,168) were used. All program flows were constructed using frequencies and crosstabs, based on an initial theoretical model prepared by the program provider. Data were adjusted based on analysis that explored all possible uses beyond those specified by the provider’s theoretical model.
Findings
Although the authors could replicate the structure – the theoretical model constructed by the provider – the authors were not able to replicate all relationships between program components. The authors also found that most individuals signed up and used web-based services. Only a few individuals finished their treatment regimens in the way they were designed to be used by the program.
Originality/value
This is the first case study to use a program flow method to investigate an entire comprehensive tobacco cessation program structure and delivery.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Wyoming Department of Health for funding the project and allowing the authors to publish data and help with interpretation. The authors also thank the colleagues at Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC), where the authors were previously employed and completed the project, for their thoughts about the manuscript.
Citation
Dziadkowiec, O. and Jenniges, R. (2017), "Using flow diagrams to improve tobacco cessation programs", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 30 No. 5, pp. 436-444. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-05-2016-0072
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited