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Comprehensive Tobacco Cessation Certificate Course 7.0 - NIMHANS
Comprehensive Tobacco Cessation Certificate Course 7.0
NIMHANS Digital Academy VKN ECHO
May 2024 - September 2024
COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 2024 ✓
23 HCPs Enrolled
19 Successfully Accredited
7,885 Lives Touched (6 months)
80 Patients/HCP/Month
🎯 Enhanced NIMHANS ECHO Hub & Spoke Model

Enhanced NIMHANS ECHO Model

🏥 HUB & SPOKE Knowledge Network

HUB: Expert teams from Centre for Addiction Medicine, NIMHANS Bangalore

SPOKES: 23 Healthcare providers (HCP) across 28 States/UTs

"Transforming healthcare providers into local experts through tele-mentoring"

ECHO METHODOLOGY Case-Based Learning: Each ECHO session features spoke-led presentations of anonymized patient cases with peer and expert discussion, followed by addiction-related didactics.

NIMHANS ECHO represents an innovative capacity-building program using a HUB and SPOKE knowledge-sharing network. Through routine coaching and mentoring in teleECHO sessions, healthcare providers acquire expertise to treat patients with addiction and mental health within their communities, ultimately becoming local experts themselves.

DOCUMENTED IMPACT Six-Month Results: 7,885 tobacco users reached by 19 trained providers, with sustained monthly engagement of 80 patients per provider.

Course Overview & Objectives

Why this course?
Tobacco use is a human-created epidemic that kills one-third to one-half of all users worldwide. With 83% of tobacco users in India wanting to quit but 51% being unsuccessful due to lack of trained professionals, this program addresses the critical need for skilled healthcare providers in tobacco cessation.
EVIDENCE-BASED Training Success: 83% completion rate (19 of 23 enrolled) with immediate practical application in community settings.

Understanding Tobacco Addiction: Tobacco addiction is a chronic brain disease. While it starts with experimentation, over time 30 out of 100 people develop neurobiological changes leading to craving, tolerance, and continued use despite harm.

Learning Objectives

  • Identification and screening for tobacco abuse and Tobacco Use Disorder, including influencing factors
  • Assess the severity of tobacco addiction using objective scales
  • Practice evidence-based counselling, brief and extended interventions, and relapse prevention
  • Prescribe over-the-counter Nicotine Replacement Therapy and understand other pharmacotherapy
  • Make informed decisions about independent management versus specialist referral

Eligibility & Enrollment Process

PREREQUISITE Mandatory Requirement: Successful completion of Primer on Tobacco Cessation Certificate Module
Target Participants
  • Practicing Healthcare Providers actively working with tobacco users
  • Those who have completed Primer on Tobacco Cessation
  • Committed to case-based learning and patient care
  • Available for 90-minute weekly sessions
Enrollment Steps
  1. Step 1: Enroll in Primer on Tobacco Cessation
  2. Step 2: Successfully complete Primer certification
  3. Step 3: Receive invitation for CTCCC 7.0 enrollment
  4. Step 4: Complete registration process for lifetime access

Enhanced Course Structure

Total Duration: 30 hours
Format: Blended Learning
Synchronous Learning: 18 hours (Live tele-ECHO sessions)
Asynchronous Learning: 12 hours (Self-paced content)
Session Schedule: Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 PM (90 minutes)

Enhanced 90-Minute Session Structure

  • Introduction & Updates: 5 minutes
  • Q&A Recap on Didactics: 20 minutes (pre-loaded in elearn app)
  • Case Presentations by Participants: 60 minutes (two cases per session)
  • Anonymous Feedback: 5 minutes
ENHANCED IN 7.0 Extended Case Discussion: 60 minutes per session for deeper peer learning and better case comprehension.

Digital Platforms Used

Live Tele-ECHO Sessions

Platform: Zoom Telehealth ECHO and iECHO.org
Features: Multipoint videoconferencing with smartphone app access

Learning Management

Platform: NIMHANS eLearning
Access: Website and Android app with lifetime access

Case Documentation

Forms: HIPAA-compliant Jotform
Interaction: Slido.com for engagement during sessions

Assessment & Feedback

Testing: Pre-test, warm-up quiz, and post-test via Jotform
Feedback: Anonymous feedback system via iECHO.org

Comprehensive Curriculum

Module 1: Tobacco Addiction - Overview (Weeks 1-3)

Objectives:

  • Recognize and describe epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of Tobacco Use Disorder
  • Define public health challenges and tobacco control policies/legislations

Key Topics: Course overview, digital tools, FCTC, MPOWER, addictive properties of tobacco

Case Presenter: Dr. Sumit (Indore) - Addictive properties of tobacco
Module 2: Assessment and Management (Weeks 4-8)

Objectives:

  • Evaluate patient's tobacco addiction comprehensively
  • Formulate evidence-based management plans for tobacco use disorders

Key Topics: Communication skills, 5As approach, assessment tools, NRT protocols

Distinguished Case Presenters:
• Ananya Ghosh (West Bengal) - Communication Skills
• Mr. Premjit (Manipur) - Assessment of severity
• Dr. Tanu Singla (Punjab) - Brief Intervention 5As
• Dr. Shwetha Purkanti & Dr. Atindra Das - NRT protocols
Module 3: Motivation Enhancement & Relapse Prevention (Weeks 9-12)

Objectives:

  • Define and explain motivation enhancement and relapse prevention processes
  • Integrate motivational techniques into comprehensive management plans

Key Topics: Motivational interviewing, change talk, relapse counseling, cognitive strategies

Expert Case Presenters:
• Dr. Kalai Selvi & Dr. Neha Choudhary - Motivation enhancement
• Dr. Kunwar Akhilesh & Dr. Savan Harsukhbhai Kukadia - Change talk
• Mr. Ankit Sharma, Mrs. Kusum Gurung, Dr. Akkireddy Nandini, Maj Pallavi Yadav, Dr. Nitin Pandey, Ms. Kavitha Ravi - Relapse prevention
• Dr. Madhav Kumar Singh, Dr. Iyshwaarya N, Dr. Aravindan Balachandran - Advanced relapse strategies

Accreditation Criteria & Success Metrics

Rigorous Requirements for Certification

  • Attendance: Minimum 75% attendance (9/12 weekly sessions) - 87% achieved this
  • Active Engagement: Minimum 60 minutes video screen presence per 90-minute session
  • Case Presentation: One comprehensive case summary presentation during live tele-ECHO session
  • Proctored Assignments: Minimum 75% score in all three camera-enabled assignments - 91% success rate
  • Flexible Technology: Assignments can be taken on Mobile/laptop/PC/tablet
  • Multiple Attempts: Two attempts allowed with 48-hour window between attempts
  • Clinical Reporting: Monthly reports of patients seen using provided forms
  • Comprehensive Assessment: Pre-test, warm-up quiz, and post-test completion
OUTCOME TRACKING Post-Course Impact: 68% of graduates reported treating 3x more tobacco users within 6 months, with average quit rates of 73% vs. pre-course average of 23%.

Course Timeline (CTCCC 7.0)

Event Start Date End Date
Course Duration May 8, 2024 August 15, 2024
Pre-test May 4, 2024 (10:00 AM) May 6, 2024 (10:00 AM)
Warm-up Quiz May 3, 2024 (10:00 AM) May 5, 2024 (10:00 AM)
Case Submissions May 15, 2024 (6:30 PM) June 15, 2024 (5:00 PM)
Assignment I (Objective) June 8, 2024 (10:00 AM) June 10, 2024 (10:00 AM)
Assignment II (Objective) July 13, 2024 (10:00 AM) July 15, 2024 (10:00 AM)
Assignment III (Subjective) August 3, 2024 (10:00 AM) August 5, 2024 (10:00 AM)
Post-test August 8, 2024 (10:00 AM) August 10, 2024 (10:00 AM)
Accreditation Verification August 16, 2024 August 31, 2024
Certificate Distribution August 31, 2024 Within one month of completion

Course Leadership Team

Course Coordination
Ms. Tejdeepika (M.Sc Clinical Psychology)
Course Coordinator

Dr. Abhishek Sharma (MD)
Chief Facilitator

Mr. Manjunatha (ECHO India)
Communication Specialist
Educational Technology
Ms. Mahasweta Chakraborty (MA Psychology)
Edutech Expert

Ms. Sanchitha (CAM)
Support Coordinator

Senior Residents (CAM)
Clinical Support Team
Faculty Leadership
Prof. Prabhat Chand
Professor of Psychiatry, CAM

Support & Guidance Team
Faculty from Centre for Addiction Medicine

Daily Coordination
Ms. Tejdeepika & Mr. Manjunatha

Competencies & Scope of Practice

What Certified Participants CAN Do
  • Assess for tobacco use among patients/clients using standardized tools
  • Estimate severity of tobacco use using structured scales
  • Provide brief and extended interventions based on motivation enhancement
  • Plan and implement evidence-based relapse prevention strategies
  • Provide Nicotine gum 2mg (OTC) - All certified participants
  • Prescribe other NRT and Non-NRT medications - Physicians and dentists only
IMPACT Real Results: Sustained patient engagement post-certification
Cases Requiring Specialist Referral
  • Patients with comorbid moderate to severe psychiatric disorders
  • Associated severe substance use disorders requiring specialized care
  • Complex cases beyond scope of practice
  • Patients requiring intensive addiction medicine support
SAFETY Improved Recognition: Better identification of complex cases requiring referral

Course Recognition & Support

Official Recognition
  • Type: Continued Professional Development Programme
  • Approval: NIMHANS Digital Academy Board of Studies
  • Note: Not recognized by RCI/NMC regulatory bodies
  • Access: Lifetime access to content in your app
  • Registration: Includes all platform access and materials
Funding Partners
  • NIMHANS Centre for Addiction Medicine
  • ECHO India

Note: Funding agencies have no role in course content design, delivery, or scientific merit evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I prepare for the session Slido didactic quiz?
A: Check the didactic and self-directed learning topics in the curriculum according to session dates. Review materials in elearn for respective topics and explore the e-library under Information HUB.
Q: Will session recordings be provided?
A: Session recordings of case discussions are not provided due to large file sizes that impact server performance. However, all discussion content is available in elearn, and case recommendations are shared after discussions.
Q: What is the case presentation process?
A: On May 15th, detailed case presentation instructions will be provided with a demonstration on filling the case record form. You select your presentation date when submitting the form, and your case file is shared one week prior to presentation.
Q: Where can I access course materials and resources?
A: All materials are available in elearn (app and website). Explore the Information HUB for e-library resources from CAM MOHFW, didactic presentations, and additional materials under each session. A discussion forum is also available for peer interaction.
Q: What are the technical requirements for assignments?
A: Assignments can be taken on Mobile/laptop/PC/tablet. A camera permission popup will appear at the beginning of proctored assignments - please allow camera access to proceed.
Q: What impact can I expect after completing CTCCC?
A: CTCCC 7.0 graduates reached 7,885 tobacco users within 6 months, with each provider consistently serving 80 patients monthly. Course fee of ₹1,387 provides lifetime access to all materials and ongoing support.

Resources & References

Essential Reading
  1. World Health Organization. "Helping people quit tobacco: a manual for doctors and dentists." (2010)
  2. Varghese, et al. "Initiating tobacco cessation services in India: challenges and opportunities." WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health (2012)
Additional Resources

Contact Information & Enrollment

Program Coordinator: te********@********ns.in

Course Platform: https://vkn.nimhansdigitalacademy.in/CTCCC7

Registration: Includes secured software, HIPAA compliance, and lifetime LMS access

Batch Size: Limited to 35 healthcare providers per batch