Tobacco control has been identified as the most urgent and immediate priority intervention to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable disease. Nevertheless, a substantial gap exists between the... Show moreTobacco control has been identified as the most urgent and immediate priority intervention to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable disease. Nevertheless, a substantial gap exists between the evidence-based knowledge on the treatment of tobacco dependence and real-world practices of primary care professionals. The empirical studies in this dissertation provided insight in a variety of methodological approaches that can be used to describe and facilitate the implementation of smoking cessation care in general practice. This resulted in study findings showing that a training programme for GPs including action planning has the potential to facilitate the implementation of smoking cessation care, in particular the degree to which smokers are identified and advised to quit. In addition, full health insurance coverage of stop-smoking programmes increased GP prescription behaviour. Yet, challenges remain to incorporate smoking cessation care as a routine procedure in general practice, with a special focus on arranging follow-up support by GPs. This dissertation provided several new ideas for future research in order to overcome these challenges. Multifaceted strategies, based on a socio-ecological approach to guideline implementation and including behavioural change theories, have the potential to facilitate a successful implementation of smoking cessation care in general practice. Show less
