Identifying roles in smoking cessation care for different types of healthcare providers: a qualitative study with people who smoke.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how people who smoke, in particular those with a lower socioeconomic position, perceive the roles of different healthcare providers in smoking cessation care.

Methods: Three semi-structured focus groups were held with a total of 15 people who smoke in community centres situated in low socioeconomic position neighbourhoods in the Netherlands. The focus groups were part of a larger study aimed at improving the delivery of smoking cessation care within primary care. Focus group transcripts were thematically analysed.

Results: Participants believed it is the role of the general practitioner to initiate a conversation about smoking and inform them about the options for quitting. A quit advice from a medical specialist carried most weight for several participants. Participants felt that pharmacists and doctor's assistants are insufficiently qualified to advise on quitting smoking.

Conclusion: People who smoke and have a lower socioeconomic position seem to have clear ideas about the roles of different healthcare providers in smoking cessation care. These ideas appear to be tied to the perception of whether a healthcare provider is qualified to address smoking.

Practice implications: Doctors can use their authority to address smoking and provide advice. Actions are needed to improve people's perceptions of non-physicians in smoking cessation care.