Elevating Nurses Self-Efficacy in Smoking Cessation: A Literature Review of Nurse-Led Educational Interventions

Abstract

Background: Smoking is one of the greatest causes of worldwide morbidity and mortality and puts an overwhelming burden on developing nations such as Pakistan. The position of nurses makes them ideal to help smokers quit smoking; nevertheless, the deficiency of education decreases their self-efficacy and their performance of counseling. Objective: The current literature review assesses the effectiveness of educational interventions carried out by nurses and specifically interventions that involve the application of the 5A’s model in improving the self-efficacy of nurses and their counseling performance. Methods: The literature search was done using a systematic approach using PRISMA guidelines. The peer-reviewed and open access literature was identified using the PubMed, ProQuest, BMC, and CINAHL databases for the past five years. Out of 441 articles, 25 articles were included in the study. Results: Education, especially simulation, role play, blended education and brief workshops, always increased nurses' knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and counseling performance of smoking cessation. Even though there were improvements, many nurses performed only the first few steps of the 5A's model due to lack of time, lack of organizational support and follow-up. Conclusion: Educational programs initiated by nurses are effective ways to improve self-efficacy related to smoking cessation counseling. Nevertheless, maintaining clinical competence requires constant institutional backing and specific training, especially for nurses employed in tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.