Course Overview
Studies indicate a critical need to upskill tobacco cessation capabilities among healthcare providers (HCP). This professional development programme is designed to train and mentor healthcare providers in evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions.
The Comprehensive Tobacco Cessation Certificate Course 4.0 was a blended learning program focused on real-life clinical management of patients with nicotine use disorder. The course emphasized case-based learning through live tele-ECHO sessions, where participants presented actual cases and received expert guidance.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, participants were able to:
- Identify and screen for tobacco abuse and Tobacco Use Disorder, including factors influencing it
- Assess the severity of tobacco addiction using objective scales
- Practice basic counseling, communication skills and psychosocial interventions to prevent relapse
- Prescribe over-the-counter Nicotine Replacement Therapy and understand other pharmacotherapy options
- Make informed decisions about what can be managed independently and what requires referral
Target Audience & Eligibility
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Psychologists
- Social workers actively involved in patient care
Participants who successfully completed "Primer on Tobacco Cessation" received priority enrollment.
Course Structure
Format: Blended Learning
Synchronous Learning: 14 hours (Live tele-ECHO sessions)
Asynchronous Learning: 16 hours (Self-paced content)
Digital Platforms Used
Weekly 60-minute sessions via Zoom Telehealth ECHO and iECHO.org
HIPAA-compliant Jotform for secure case documentation
NIMHANS eLearning website and mobile apps for assignments and forum discussions
Slido.com for real-time engagement during VKN ECHO sessions
Curriculum Modules
Objectives:
- Recognize and describe the epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of Tobacco Addiction
- Define and explain public health challenges and tobacco control policies and legislations
Topics Covered: Overview of course, Tobacco public health challenges, FCTC, MPOWER, Addictive property of tobacco
Objectives:
- Evaluate the patient's tobacco addiction comprehensively
- Formulate a management plan focusing on Brief Intervention for tobacco use disorders
Topics Covered: Communication Skills, Case History Taking, Assessment techniques, Brief Intervention methods, Pharmacotherapy (NRT focus)
Objectives:
- Define and explain the process of motivation enhancement and relapse prevention
- Integrate techniques of motivational enhancement and relapse prevention into management plans
Topics Covered: Motivational Interviewing techniques, Relapse counseling, Communication styles, Change planning
Accreditation Criteria
Non-Negotiable Requirements (As per NIMHANS Board of Studies)
- Attendance: Minimum 75% attendance (9/12 weekly VKN tele-ECHO sessions) with >40 minutes video screen presence per session
- Case Presentation: One case summary presentation during live tele-ECHO session
- Assignments: Minimum 75% score in each of three assignments (two attempts allowed within 48-hour window)
- Reporting: Monthly reports of patients seen using provided forms
- Testing: Completion of pre-test and post-test assessments
Course Timeline (CTCCC 4.0)
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration | April 20, 2023 | July 13, 2023 |
| Pre-test | April 12, 2023 (10 AM) | April 16, 2023 (10 AM) |
| Case Submissions | April 29, 2023 (10 AM) | May 29, 2023 (10 AM) |
| Assignment I (Objective) | May 13, 2023 (10 AM) | May 15, 2023 (10 AM) |
| Assignment II (Objective) | June 10, 2023 (10 AM) | June 12, 2023 (10 AM) |
| Assignment III (Subjective) | July 15, 2023 (10 AM) | July 20, 2023 (10 AM) |
| Post-test | July 22, 2023 | July 26, 2023 |
| Certificate Preparation | July 27, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
Competencies Gained
- Assess for tobacco use among patients/clients
- Estimate severity using structured scales
- Provide brief and extended interventions
- Implement relapse prevention strategies
- Provide Nicotine gum 2mg (OTC) - All participants
- Prescribe other NRT and Non-NRT - Physicians and dentists only
- Patients with comorbid moderate to severe psychiatric disorders
- Associated severe substance use disorders
- Patients on multiple medications requiring specialist oversight
Course Recognition
- Type: Continued Professional Development Programme
- Recognition: NIMHANS Digital Academy Board of Studies
- Note: Not recognized by NMC/MCI or similar regulatory bodies
Core Hub Team
Ms. TejDeepika R (M.Sc Clinical Psychology)
Ms. Nidhi Parate (M.Sc Clinical Psychology)
Mr. Manjunatha (ECHO India)
Ms. Sanchitha (CAM)
Prof. Prabhat Chand (Psychiatry, CAM)
Prof. Arun K (Additional Professor, CAM)
Dr. Jayant M (Assistant Professor, CAM)
Dr. Lekhansh Shukla (Assistant Professor, CAM)
Prof. Vivek Benegal (Professor & OIC, CAM)
Prof. Pratima Murthy (Senior Professor & Director, NIMHANS)
Funding & Support
- NIMHANS, Centre for Addiction Medicine
- Bajaj Electricals Foundation
- ECHO India
The funding agency had no role in designing the course content, its delivery, or its scientific merit. There was no financial conflict between funders and course coordinators.
Course Features & Improvements
Key Improvements from CTCCC 3.0 Feedback:
- Inclusion of case recording and demonstration
- More concise and comprehensive content
- Enhanced focus on real-life case discussions
- Improved interactive elements
Resources & References
- World Health Organization. "Helping people quit tobacco: a manual for doctors and dentists." (2010)
- Varghese, et al. "Initiating tobacco cessation services in India: challenges and opportunities." WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health (2012)
Additional learning materials available at:
VKN NIMHANS YouTube Channel
Contact Information
Email: vk*@********ns.in
Course Link: https://vkn.nimhansdigitalacademy.in/cctc4_0