Healthcare Providers
Tobacco addiction is a chronic condition that often requires long-term support. Healthcare professionals play a critical role in helping their patients quit smoking, vaping, and using tobacco products. To help engage patients who use tobacco, the Georgia Tobacco Use Prevention Program urges all healthcare professionals to take action and follow these 3 easy steps in the GA cAARds referral program.
| ASK | ADVISE | REFER |
|---|---|---|
| Ask all parties about their tobacco use during each visit and document in EHR | Advise all patients about the benefits of quitting tobacco and assess their readiness to quit | Refer all patients willing to make a quit attempt to the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line |
The GA cAARds referral program offers healthcare professionals 4 easy referral options to help patients get free cessation support through the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line!
- Fax Referral Form - Download the Fax Form below, complete it with the patient, and fax it to the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-483-3114.
- Online Provider Referral Portal - Complete and submit referrals through the Online Provider Referral Portal. Referrals are sent in real-time to the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line.
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) - Through the EHR system, healthcare professionals can choose to refer patients to the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line. For more information on establishing electronic referrals, please email the Georgia Tobacco Use Prevention Program at [email protected]
- For additional technical assistance with an outreach coordinator, please email the Georgia Tobacco Use Prevention Program at [email protected]
Free Continuing Medical Education (CME) for Healthcare Professionals
The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line provides 1 free CME credit or a certificate of completion for healthcare professionals who complete the online training Engaging Tobacco Users: Tips for Health Care Providers in Georgia (see link below). This training provides strategies, tips, and resources that can assist healthcare professionals in tobacco cessation interventions.
Training describes:
- The seven FDA-approved medications for tobacco cessation
- Motivational intervention strategies
- Brief tobacco intervention strategies and the GA cAARds model
- The Quit Line and referral process.
Training - Engaging Tobacco Users: Tips for Health Care Providers in Georgia
This training is approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Quitting is your best option to reduce your risk from smoking and tobacco use-related diseases. Vaping is not a healthy alternative to smoking. E-cigarettes and vape products are not FDA-approved cessation devices. For more information and support to help you quit contact the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line.
Click HERE for more information about quitting.
Last reviewed 10/7/2024