A current smoking cessation support study, targeting rural and regional smokers from NSW, inclusive of the Eurobodalla community is being run by the School of Medicine and Public Health from the University of Newcastle, under the supervision of Dr Flora Tzelepis.
It is identified that people living in rural and regional towns face many barriers to healthcare including smoking cessation support. The University of Newcastle team are aware that smoking cessation may be more difficult for rural and regional people based on their geographical location, access to General Practitioners and cost.
They are currently undertaking a randomised control trial to determine if it is possible to eliminate these barriers and provide cessation support via video, telephone or written platforms.
This study is the first of its kind, examining the effectiveness of real-time video counselling delivered via Skype, FaceTime or Facebook Messenger to smokers in their homes.
I have attached the study web link and Flora’s University of Newcastle News release under ‘Hunter cancer research projects gain $1.65m funding boost’ and ‘Quit smoking study recruiting participants in regional and remote areas’. Who can participate in the study? They are looking for people who:smoke cigarettes or use tobacco every day ;are aged 18 years or older;have access to a telephone ;have access to a mode of video-communication (e.g. Skype, FaceTime or other form) ;have access to the internet ;have a current e-mail address ; and live in a regional or remote New South Wales. You can find more information HERE
