The Role of Healthcare Providers in Adolescent Vaping Prevention

Background and Objectives: Electronic cigarette use, known as vaping, among adolescents was declared a public health epidemic in 2018 and has acute and chronic health consequences. Healthcare providers (HCP) play a pivotal role as health-related educators, including counseling against vaping. Primary HCPs report a lack of adequate knowledge, confidence, and screening for adolescent vaping. Increasing HCP’s vaping awareness and knowledge may increase rates of adolescent vaping prevention screening and counseling. Rosswurm & Larrabee Model and Health Belief Model were utilized in project design and implementation. Methods: Primary HCPs (n = 8) that provide care to adolescents at a pediatric clinic in Phoenix, Arizona completed online pre- and post- education surveys measuring vaping knowledge before and after viewing an evidence based online educational video. Participation was voluntary, open to all clinic HCPs, and informed consent was provided before the intervention. Data analysis was completed with Intellectus Statistics using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results of the paired samples t-test was significant based on "?=.05" , t(7) = -3.56, p = .009. The mean of the post-education survey (12.38) was significantly higher than the mean of the pre-education survey (9.62). Descriptive statistics found 85.71% of HCPs reported increased intent to counsel for vaping and 57.14% of HCPs reported increased implemented vaping counseling with their adolescent patients four-weeks post intervention. Conclusions: HCP vaping knowledge rates and vaping-related counseling and surveillance significantly increased after viewing the educational video. Implementing mandatory HCP vaping education training could increase adolescent vaping prevention interventions and counseling within primary care settings.