WVU tobacco treatment training program expanding reach to include secondary school professionals
Program growing to address alarming increase of youth who vape
Morgantown, W.Va. - More than 80 health professionals from all over the state completed West Virginia University School of Dentistry’s Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program (CTTTP) in May. Participation in the three-day, continuing education course indicated providers acknowledge a patient benefits most when the people who care for them collaborate and offer consistent terminology, resources and steps to cessation.
A total of 84 participants represented a dozen or more different realms of patient wellness including, physicians, nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, respiratory therapist, dentists, dental hygienists, quit line director and coaches, health education specialists, counselors, social workers and wellness counselors.
The goal is to train those specialists to treat tobacco use and dependence with evidence-based cessation strategies they can take back to the communities they serve.
Suann Gaydos, director of the WVU training program, reported a new trend in participants at the 5th annual course. “There was an increase in attendees who were counselors, social workers and nurses at schools. They are concerned with the popularity of vaping among our state’s middle school and high school students. They were seeking tobacco prevention resources and guidance to tackle the increasing vape use among our youth,” Gaydos said.
From 2017 to 2019, the state Department of Health and Human Resources reported a 150% increase in high schoolers who vape. In 2019 more than a third of West Virginia high school students used e-cigarettes. The rapidly rising number prompted the DHHR to be among those groups to generously support scholarships for attendees of the WVU CTTTP course.
Participants who completed a survey about the 2023 course were asked what they would do differently as a result of the lectures and simulation exercises. Feedback ranged from general to specific.
“Begin offering tobacco cessation at my agency”
“Change how I approach patients about tobacco cessation”
“I will address vaping/smokeless tobacco at a higher level since I am more confident with therapies to address the use of these products as well”
“The pregnant section and the available incentives will be shared and used”
More than 80 percent of the participants who registered for the course chose to take the exam required to earn their tobacco treatment specialist certification. The program at the dental school is offered in conjunction with WVU Dental, our patient care clinics and clinicians. The WVU School of Dentistry is the only dental school granted accreditation by the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs. It is also the only school within a Health Sciences Center where the competencies are integrated into curricula for students.
The in-depth, accelerated program has been offered free or at a discounted cost to a several participants who meet the requirements through scholarships are generously supported by:
- Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
- Department of Health and Human Resources
- WVU Community Engagement Grant
- VVU Institute for Community and Rural Health
The WVU CTTTP comprehensive program is thorough and intense. Surveyed participants commented:
“The passion the course creators, facilitators, and all-star speaker team brought to this 3-day certification was exemplary!”
“Great training but a lot of information to take in in 3 days.”
CTTTP consists of a minimum of 24 hours of education which utilizes case-based discussions, interactive lectures, problem solving, role playing, and a written final comprehensive examination.
Learn more about the WVU program, its curriculum, prerequisites and training goals.
Coordination is currently underway to convert the training to an online format as a non-degree course for teachers to be certified tobacco treatment specialists.