After Motivational Interviewing (MI) sessions it is important to think about follow up. For patients that have not quit it is important to follow up with them at their next visit. Again, a great way to begin the discussion about smoking cessation with all patients is to assess their tobacco use at every visit. This way, an opportunity for MI as well as follow up is never missed.
Follow up is not only necessary for those patients that continue to smoke after MI sessions, but is also important for patients after they have decided to quit. Fiore et al. (2008) recommends that all patients that have decided to stop smoking should have a follow up within the first week after quitting. This follow up provides the opportunity to assess if the patient was successful or not in cessation efforts, has questions or concerns, or needs further assistance. This follow up also allows for more MI if needed. Current evidence does not state that follow-up will prevent relapse however, it has not be shown to increase relapse. Further, research shows that continued contact with providers increases the likelihood that patients will discuss cessation with their provider in later quit attempts.
The red book at the capstone site is used for follow-up with patients and for patient monitoring. I recommend that patients that decide to quit should be followed up with within one week. The red book is one possible way to ensure that these follow ups are completed.
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Motivational Interviewing for Smoking Cessation 