Health Behavior Research: Smoking Cessations/Oral Medications –VS- Nicotine Patch
Experimental: Health Behavior Research: Smoking Cessations/Oral Medications –VS- Nicotine Patch
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest tasks a smoker can undertake, it takes commitment, dedication, and more importantly patience. Nicotine is an addictive compound used in the production of “cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco.” (ADF, 2021) Smoking is a health crisis because “nearly half a million Americans die prematurely from smoking each year”. (HHS, 2014) Quitting smoking is admiral, however, finding the right cessation to help quit can be difficult. Oral medications and nicotine patches have been helpful in quitting, but which method is better? Which method delivers the faster and safest result?
In the study of 100 smokers, ranging from 18 to 40 years old, 50 will intake the oral cessation Chantix (Varenicline) while 50 smokers would wear the nicotine patch. Chantix and nicotine patches are prescribed by a provider; however, patches are also available free of charge from different organizations. Chantix is known to work by “making smoking less gratifying” (Sullivan, 2020) while nicotine patches “release small amounts of nicotine to curb cravings” (Fielding & McKnight, 2021) Unlike Chantix where a smoker can continue to smoke until their cravings dimmish, with the nicotine patch a smoker must stop smoking to see results.
The study will be for a period of 60 days since it takes about 30 days to effectively see any results with either method. Smokers from each group will need to sign written consent for the study. For the study to work, researchers have found that smokers must meet with providers once a month and provide a written summary of the office visit providing their vital signs records containing BP, pulse, and weight, these records will illustrate how the smoker\’s vitals have changed during the quitting process. During the study, participants are also encouraged to keep a log of any changes in behaviors they experience such as fatigue, crankiness, eating habits, etc. Participants would need to submit required documents once a month at the study facility where the research is being conducted and visit with a psychologist on staff, so they can observe and record the participants\’ behaviors and progress. After the 60 days, participants will be given their results, and exit interviews regarding their personal experience and desired outcomes along with any suggestions for any future studies.
Smokers seeking to stop smoking should be encouraged to try an either alternative to find which one works best for them, ideally QUITTING is the targeted outcome for all participants.
The ethical approach regarding the study would be not to judge any participant if they start smoking again, maintain any judgment, and ensure there are resources such as hotlines, group sessions, therapy, etc. to help anyone willing to quit.
Qualitative: Smoking is addictive and dangerous, why would anyone start smoking? Knowing the consequences involved, why would anyone put themselves and others at risk? Why would anyone reduce their life span?
Evaluation: The results of this study can determine which smoking cessation would deliver a faster and safer approach to quitting smoking.
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