Corelli, Robin L.Merchant, Kyle R.Ellis Hilts, KatyKroon, Lisa A.Vatanka, ParisaHille, Brian T.Suchanek Hudmon, Karen2023-07-242023-07-242022Corelli RL, Merchant KR, Hilts KE, et al. Community pharmacy technicians' engagement in the delivery of brief tobacco cessation interventions: Results of a randomized trial. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2022;18(7):3158-3163. doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.09.001https://hdl.handle.net/1805/34543Background: In recent years, the role of community pharmacy technicians has expanded to include involvement in the provision of brief tobacco cessation interventions. While technicians appear to be a key component in this service, their level of engagement and associated perceptions of this new role have not been described. Objective: To compare pharmacy technicians' frequency of involvement in brief tobacco cessation interventions delivered in a community pharmacy setting, as a function of training approach, and to characterize their perceptions of this expanded role, including barriers to implementation. Methods: Twenty California-based grocery store chain pharmacies were randomized to receive (a) written training materials-only [minimal] or (b) written training materials plus live training with coaching and active monitoring by pharmacy management [intensive]. After written materials were distributed to the sites, tobacco cessation interventions were documented prospectively for 12 weeks post-training. Results: Over the 12-week study, technicians (n = 50) documented their involvement in 524 interventions (57.7% of 908 total), with the minimal group accounting for 56.1% and the intensive group accounting for 43.9% (p < 0.001). The number of individual technicians who reported at least one intervention was 16 (of 26; 61.5%) in the minimal group and 24 (of 24; 100%) in the intensive group (p < 0.001). At the conclusion of the study, 100% of technicians in the intensive group self-rated their ability to interact with patients about quitting smoking as good, very good, or excellent compared to 73.9% in the minimal group (p = 0.10). Conclusion: In both study arms, technicians documented high numbers of tobacco cessation interventions. The higher proportion of technicians providing one or more interventions in the intensive group suggests a greater overall engagement in the process, relative to those receiving minimal training. Technicians can play a key role in the delivery of tobacco cessation interventions in community pharmacies.en-USPublisher PolicyCommunity pharmacyTobacco cessationPharmacy technicianArticle