Providing nicotine dependence treatment to psychiatric inpatients: the views of Australian nurse managers

The prevalence of smoking in psychiatric settings remains high. This study aims to describe the views of nurse managers in psychiatric inpatient settings regarding the provision of nicotine dependence treatment, and whether there were associations between such views and the provision of nicotine dependence treatment. A crosssectional survey was mailed to all public psychiatric inpatient units in New South Wales, Australia, for completion by nurse managers. Of the identified 131 service units, 123 completed questionnaires were returned (94%). Patient-related factors were considered to have a high level of influence on the provision of nicotine dependence treatment: patients requesting assistance to quit (58%), patients being receptive to interventions (52%), and patient health improving with quitting (45%). Units where the respondent reported that nicotine dependence treatment was as important as other roles were more likely to provide nicotine dependence treatment compared to units whose respondents did not hold this view (OR = 0.257, d.f. = 1, P < 0.01). While the results indicate strong support for the provision of nicotine dependence treatment, this support appears qualified by perceived patient readiness to quit, suggesting care is provided selectively rather than systematically. Positioning smoking as an addiction requiring treatment within a traditional curative approach may lead to a health service more conducive to the routine provision of nicotine dependence treatment.