Proactive Tobacco Treatment for COPD

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byAnne C Melzer, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common respiratory diseases, with 90% of cases directly attributable to smoking. Unfortunately, many patients continue to smoke and have an urgent need to quit. Proactive tobacco treatment programs identify patients outside of a routine clinical appointment and engage them in making a supported quit attempt. Most previous research of proactive tobacco treatment has used telephone outreach, which can be resource intensive. Electronic methods (texting, secure messaging) may be effective while requiring fewer resources. In this study, a previously tested telephone outreach intervention will be adapted for electronic delivery, with content tailored to smokers with COPD. First, information will be gathered from smokers with COPD and the medical staff who care for them to adapt the program for electronic delivery. Then, the program will be pilot-tested. Smokers with COPD will be randomly assigned to either usual medical care or the outreach intervention, with goals to increase participation in smoking cessation programs, quit attempts, and successful cessation.

Research Team

Anne C Melzer, MD

Principal Investigator

Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for smokers with COPD who are veterans, currently enrolled in MyHealtheVet secure messaging, have had at least one medical visit in the past year, and are confirmed as current smokers. It's not for those already in VA tobacco treatment, non-English speakers, hospice patients, cancer patients under active treatment or individuals with advanced dementia.

Inclusion Criteria

You have been identified as a current smoker in your medical records within the past year.

Currently enrolled in MyHealtheVet secure messaging

I have been diagnosed with COPD twice in the last 2 years.

See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently receiving treatment for cancer.

I cannot communicate in English.

You are currently receiving end-of-life care in a hospice.

See 2 more

Treatment Details

Interventions

Proactive Outreach (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study is testing an electronic proactive outreach program designed to help smokers with COPD quit smoking. The program will be delivered via text or secure messaging instead of phone calls. Participants will either receive usual care or the new intervention to see if it increases engagement in quitting programs and success rates.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Proactive OutreachExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Randomly assigned sample who will receive a proactive offer of tobacco treatment with connection to motivational texting program.

Group II: Usual CareActive Control1 Intervention

Randomly assigned sample who will receive usual care for tobacco cessation treatment