An Assessment of the Pilot Implementation of the Smoke-free Detoxification Unit at the Department of Addictology: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking affects 2,2 million people in the Czech Republic and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of tobacco smoking in addicted patients is 4 times higher than in the general population. Despite the promising evidence of smoking cessation in addicted patients, controversy in tobacco treatment and other drug addictions persists. Unfortunately, a comprehensive approach to improving patients' health and quality of life is rare in clinical practice of Czech detoxification units and hospitals. AIMS: The aim of the theses was to evaluate the current pilot non-smoking operation at the Detoxification Department of the Addictology Clinic of the General Faculty Hospital through the perspective of the Department's treatment team members. To fulfill this aim, research questions focused on the positive and negative perceptions of non-smoking strategies of the patients and staff in the inpatient ward, optimizing the operations of the non-smoking inpatient ward and assessing motivation levels of hospitalized smokers to seek treatment for tobacco dependence. METHODS: Qualitative research methodology was used for data collection and processing, and structured interviews were applied. The sample consisted of 10 respondents from the health care staff of the above..