Introduction to the Family Health Problem: Tobacco Addiction
A severe health problem for individuals and their families is tobacco dependency caused by nicotine addiction, mainly from smoking cigarettes or the use of smokeless tobacco products. This problem is critical to personal practice and even more important in occupational nursing because it occurs endlessly among patients with catastrophic outcomes. Additionally, Tobacco addiction rates are high, and many families still feel their aftermath. CDC mentions that Tobacco use is primarily responsible for preventable illness, disability, and deaths in America. Statistics show that approximately 28.3 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes, while about 2.80 million middle and high school students in America are using one or more tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, hence affecting family health relationships (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2023). According to the CDC (2023) statistics, more than 700 chemicals are said to be found in second-hand smoke, which is composed of over seven thousand chemical compounds, including around seventy that cause cancer. Most significantly, there is an increased risk of respiratory diseases and SIDs alongside developmental problems among children from families addicted to tobacco.
In my nursing practice, I have observed families battling with the aftermath of nicotine dependency. Respiratory issues-related emergency room visits, counseling sessions of parents trying to quit smoking, and the pervasive effect on pediatric patients exemplify a need for immediate intervention. As a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, addressing the issue of tobacco addiction is consistent with holistic principles regarding patient care. The family is an essential element of this strategy, leading to better interpersonal relationships within families. My reflection is both ethical responsibility and professional obligation to contribute to the welfare of families suffering from tobacco habit. Looking into this topic during my practicum, I seek to use evidence-based practices and develop tactics that may be used in individual settings and at a community level.
Evidence from Peer-Reviewed Literature and Professional Sources on Nursing Actions Related to Tobacco Addiction
The tobacco addiction problem calls for an integrated understanding of evidence-based nursing practices. A detailed review of the topic literature and professional materials provides valuable data on nursing applications, potential hindrances, and theories guiding activities in this context. The Health Belief Model (HBM) and the transtheoretical model (TTM) are some theories that can be applied. The said theories will identify the relationship between smoking cessation interventions and the individual tobacco addict’s efforts to quit tobacco use.
The idea of a comprehensive approach aimed at addressing the needs arising from tobacco dependence in families is highlighted by Carter et al. (2023). The therapy methods include behavioral counseling, pharmacotherapy, and individually targeted services based on individual patient needs. However, a study by Bokemeyer et al. (2023) reveals that family-oriented interventions involving spouses and children in counseling sessions have yielded positive results owing to increased smoking withdrawal rates. Moreover, Dhandhania and O’Higgins (2022) affirmed that community preventive and education programs contribute to reducing tobacco use rates among family members.
Additionally, a study by Le et al. (2022) evidences that different forms of nursing interventions are efficacious in addressing tobacco addictions among families. Involving families has proved effective in cessation interventions based on their close relationship, guidance, and monitoring effort by the close family members in the absence of medical practitioners or when the people with an addiction are not confined in a rehabilitation camp. The families will aid in providing non-medical support related to lifestyle changes to the tobacco addicts in their quitting journey. Success indicators include higher quitting rates, increased family support, and reduced smoking in the presence of children. The replicability of the findings among diverse communities makes it possible to generalize their implementation.
Despite all this evidence, there are barriers to effective practice of evidence-based in addressing tobacco addiction. While literature outlines the shared issues, such as lack of resources, time limitations, and opposition from both providers’ side and family members, Bokemeyer et al. (2023) argue that attitudes and perceptions of the providers can prevent the uptake of evidence-based practice, including skepticism towards interventions effectiveness. To address these barriers, specific strategies are necessary, such as educating and training health professionals with the understanding that they shall embrace evidence-based medicine.
Azimirad et al. (2023) reveal the nurses’ role in policy development to enhance healthcare outcomes and prevent disease onset leading to reduced hospital readmissions. Being caregivers in the front line of action, nurses have information about what patients and their communities need. Engaging nurses in policy-making promotes patient-centric practices from evidence. Additionally, nurses are critical in preventive policies since they advocate for public health campaigns like vaccination schemes and community-based intervention. They showcase the need for comprehensive care, meaning that healthcare policies should focus on a wide range of patients’ needs and communities to achieve desired health performance, such as reduced readmission rates. This underlines the importance of recognizing nurses as influential advocates and contributors to policy-making toward a healthier healthcare system.
The actions taken in nursing to address the tobacco addiction that takes place within families are informed by a range of theoretical frameworks, including the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the transtheoretical model (TTM), which are often used in smoking cessation interventions (Jessiman-Perreault et al., 2023). The HBM relates to how individuals view risks and benefits to their health, whereas TTM identifies stages that people go through before adopting healthy habits. Taking these models into the work yields a deeper understanding of family ties and incentives, allowing for more personalized therapies.
Impact of State Board Nursing Practice Standards and Organizational or Governmental Policies on Addressing Tobacco Addiction in Families
State board nursing practice standards and organizational or government policies play a vital role in addressing the problem of tobacco addiction, especially among families. A meticulous and extensive literature synthesis by Mazumdar et al. (2023) reveals some guiding standards concerning the practice by nurses, as well as demonstrates various impacts that policies have on health outcomes among families living with nicotine dependence. In Florida state, standards practiced by the Florida Board of Nursing are encompassed in programs such as Tobacco Free Florida (Florida Department of Health, 2024). The Florida Department of Health requires state board nursing practice to observe commitment regarding tobacco addiction. Local regulations may require specific training of nurses in smoking cessation treatment procedures and continuous education to consider evidence-based practice innovations. Conversely, standards for nursing practice can outline a definite limit of collaboration with other health professionals that additionally emphasize interdisciplinary treatment approaches to tobacco addiction among families (Mazumdar et al., 2023). After setting such standards, it makes an effort to provide a uniform and balanced care package.
Various policies can be employed in organizational and governmental contexts to change tobacco addiction interventions in nursing practices. Such policies, including providing resources for smoking cessation programs and financial incentives to healthcare institutions upon implementing evidence-based practices, can lead to significant outcomes, as Patterson et al. (2022) recommended. For example, an institution can formulate a smoking cessation policy that includes such counseling during routine visits to healthcare providers. This fits with the broader national objectives of reducing smoking and improving population health outcomes included in initiatives such as Healthy People 2020.
Policies, whether at the state or organizational level, affect the scope of practice for nurses regarding tobacco addiction. For example, a state policy mandating coverage of smoking cessation interventions expands the nurses’ scope through distinction and remunerations for nurses who provide tobacco smoking counseling (Florida Department of Health, 2024). Further, policies evidence of community-oriented approaches to nicotine dependence represent a general principle for nursing practice. In population health, these policies can help community nursing achieve a broader reach in interventions than individual families.
Leadership Strategies to Address Tobacco Addiction in Families: Enhancing Outcomes and Patient-Centered Care
Nursing practices may not be the only viable leadership solution to patient-family or population problems related to tobacco addiction in families. Consequently, there are ways in which leaders can lead and advance the performance, patient-centered care, as well as quality of life in cases involving families affected by tobacco addiction. Furthermore, there is a need for leadership, coordination, collaboration, and change management to deal with this complicated health issue.
Conroy et al. (2023) identify the transformational leadership approach as a critical solution to the complex problem of dependence on tobacco in families by maintaining positive relationships of staff engagement and patient outcomes. This theme has been reflected throughout the research on transformational leaders who can create an environment of perpetual change in tobacco abuse. These leaders are positive agents of change; thus, they create an environment where the nursing staff are motivated to strive toward patient-centeredness beyond traditional treatment paradigms. Additionally, transformational leaders can promote holistic approaches to tobacco addiction interventions through new visions of a healthy lifestyle and creative ideas that help individuals sharpen their minds.
Regarding interprofessional collaboration, tobacco addiction treatment practices necessitate all health professionals to work interdependently. According to Pautrat et al. (2023), providing holistic care for families suffering from this complicated situation would be possible by establishing interdisciplinary teams involving nurses, physicians, psychologists, and social workers. Such collaborative and team approaches have proven to be increasingly effective in solving the problem of complex health issues. The legislation of interprofessional collaboration ensures that families gain broad and coordinated support to result in better patient outcomes. This method considers the unique expertise brought by each healthcare scientist, creating a more comprehensive and all‐encompassing vision of tobacco addiction’s multifaceted components.
Moreover, it is essential to have exemplary leadership that builds communication between healthcare teams and families regarding nicotine addiction. Communication is a vital tool in smoking cessation intervention, as shown by Patterson et al. (2022). The contribution made by modern leaders in patient-centered care and outcomes is enormous since they provide regular team briefings and facilitate open communication between healthcare providers and families without losing effectiveness.
Adopting change management strategies is essential in overcoming resistance and acquiring evidence-based practices for smoking cessation. According to Kotter’s eight-step model, leaders should foster a sense of urgency, have an inspired team, and instill consistent change (Bramble et al., 2022). By appropriately implementing these steps, leaders can help the implementation process by encouraging evidence-based family interventions that are aimed at addressing tobacco abuse in families. This approach reflects the need to adopt a systematic and planned way of changes that can only occur with employee acceptance and an environment-supporting innovative system. Control of proper change impacts evidence-based practices, which propounds better performance outcomes that could benefit these families.
Conclusion
The prevalent family problem of tobacco addiction requires a multi-layered solution based on comprehensive nursing interventions and robust leadership strategies. The importance of the problem defined by global and local data should be highlighted, insisting on an evidence-based practice. The discussion is firmly established in the peer-reviewed literature for nursing actions, identifying barriers and highlighting theoretical frameworks that govern interventions. The scope of practice of nursing is extensively shaped by the state board of nursing practice standards and policies, organizational regulations, and governmental initiatives impacting outcomes for families interested in tobacco cessation intervention. The professionalization of transformational leadership, interprofessional collaboration, effective communication, and change management is discussed in light of the current literature. On the other hand, documenting practicum hours reinforces that implementing these strategies is a hands-on experience. This assessment combines nursing expertise with effective leadership to be developed, including a patient-centered approach that targets positive outcomes and better patient experience of falling into tobacco addiction among families.
References
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