Comprehensive Tobacco Cessation Certificate Course 5.0
NIMHANS Digital Academy VKN ECHO
July 2023 - October 2023
COMPLETED ✓
38
Enrolled
21
Accredited
28
Cases Discussed
30
Total Hours
🎯 Lives Touched: 3,055 People
Course Overview
Why this course?
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.
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 5.0 was an enhanced blended learning program focused on real-life clinical management of patients with nicotine use disorder. This iteration introduced significant improvements including proctored assessments and achieved remarkable impact with over 3,000 lives touched through participant interventions.
NEW IN 5.0
Proctored Assessments: All assignments now include webcam proctoring to ensure assessment integrity and maintain high professional standards.
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 evidence-based counselling, communication skills, motivational interviewing and psychosocial interventions for preventing 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
Primary Beneficiaries
- Healthcare providers (HCPs) including:
- Dentists
- Nurses
- Physicians
- Counselors directly involved with tobacco users
Eligibility Requirements
- Participants who completed "Primer on Tobacco Cessation"
- Bachelor's degree or above
- Proficiency in writing, speaking and understanding English
- Direct involvement with people using tobacco
Course Structure & Innovation
Total Duration: 30 hours
Format: Blended Learning
Synchronous Learning: 18 hours (Live tele-ECHO sessions)
Asynchronous Learning: 12 hours (Self-paced content)
Format: Blended Learning
Synchronous Learning: 18 hours (Live tele-ECHO sessions)
Asynchronous Learning: 12 hours (Self-paced content)
ENHANCED
Proctored Assignments: All assessments must be taken with laptop/PC webcam or tablet + webcam for integrity assurance.
Digital Platforms Used
Live Tele-ECHO Sessions
Schedule: Every Thursday 2:30-3:30 PM
Platform: Zoom Telehealth ECHO and iECHO.org
Session Structure
- Introduction & Updates: 5 min
- Interactive Didactic Quiz: 15 min
- Q&A on Didactic: 5 min
- Case Presentations: 25 min
- Anonymous Feedback: 5 min
E-Learning Platform
NIMHANS eLearning website and Android app for assignments, forums, and resources
Assessment & Documentation
HIPAA-compliant Jotform for case records and assessments with Slido.com for interactive engagement
Enhanced Curriculum Modules
Module 1: Tobacco Addiction - Overview
Objectives:
- Recognize and describe the epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of Tobacco Addiction
- Define and explain public health challenges and tobacco control policies and legislations
Key Topics: Course overview, Digital tools, Tobacco public health challenges, FCTC, MPOWER, Addictive properties of tobacco
Case Presenters: Dr. Tanmay Agrawal, Ms. Gayatri Somani
Module 2: Tobacco Addiction - Assessment and Management
Objectives:
- Evaluate the patient's tobacco addiction comprehensively
- Formulate a management plan for tobacco use disorders
Key Topics: Communication Skills, Case History Taking, Assessment techniques (5As), Brief Intervention methods, Severity assessment scales
Case Presenters: Dr. Shailaja Bandla, Ms. Satabdi Dedhara, Dr. K Anusha, Ms. Antara Sen Dave, Dr. Charumathi, Dr. Yashika
Module 3: Enhancing Motivation and Preventing Relapse
Objectives:
- Define and explain the process of motivation enhancement and relapse prevention
- Integrate techniques of motivational enhancement and relapse prevention into management plans
Key Topics: Motivational Interviewing techniques, 5Rs, Relapse counseling, Communication styles, Cognitive traps in relapse, Mindfulness-based interventions
Case Presenters: Ms. Neha Grover, Dr. Tanushri Dalvi, Mr. Koutilya Chhajed, Dr. Harsh Avinash Thapa, and many other distinguished participants
Enhanced Accreditation Criteria
Rigorous Requirements for Certification
- Attendance: Minimum 75% attendance (9/12 weekly sessions) with >40 minutes video screen presence per session
- Case Presentation: One comprehensive case summary presentation during live tele-ECHO session
- Proctored Assignments: Minimum 75% score in all three camera-enabled (proctored) assignments
- Technical Requirement: Assignments must be taken only on laptop/PC with webcam or tablet + webcam
- Multiple Attempts: Two attempts allowed for each assignment with 48-hour window for retakes
- Reporting: Monthly reports of patients seen using provided forms
- Testing: Completion of pre-test, warm-up quiz, and post-test assessments
SECURITY FEATURE
Proctoring Protocol: A webcam permission popup will appear at the beginning of each assignment. Participants must allow camera access to proceed with the assessment.
Course Timeline (CTCCC 5.0)
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration | July 20, 2023 | October 5, 2023 |
| Pre-test | July 14, 2023 (10:00 AM) | July 18, 2023 (10:00 AM) |
| Warm-up Quiz | July 15, 2023 (10:00 AM) | July 17, 2023 (10:00 AM) |
| Case Submissions | July 27, 2023 (10:00 AM) | August 27, 2023 (10:00 AM) |
| Assignment I (Proctored) | August 12, 2023 (10:00 AM) | August 14, 2023 (10:00 AM) |
| Assignment II (Proctored) | September 9, 2023 (10:00 AM) | September 11, 2023 (10:00 AM) |
| Assignment III (Subjective) | October 14, 2023 (10:00 AM) | October 18, 2023 (10:00 AM) |
| Post-test | October 21, 2023 (10:00 AM) | October 25, 2023 (10:00 AM) |
| Accreditation Verification | October 26, 2023 | November 7, 2023 |
| Certificate Distribution | December 15, 2023 | Within one month of completion |
Course Leadership Team
Core Coordination Team
Ms. Saee Patwardhan (M.Phil Clinical Psychology)
Course Coordinator
Dr. Abhishek Sharma (MD)
Chief Facilitator
Mr. Manjunatha (ECHO India)
Communication Specialist
Ms. Saee Patwardhan (M.Phil Clinical Psychology)
Course Coordinator
Dr. Abhishek Sharma (MD)
Chief Facilitator
Mr. Manjunatha (ECHO India)
Communication Specialist
Faculty Leadership
Prof. Prabhat Chand
Professor of Psychiatry, CAM
Prof. Arun K
Additional Professor, CAM
Dr. Jayant M
Assistant Professor, CAM
Prof. Prabhat Chand
Professor of Psychiatry, CAM
Prof. Arun K
Additional Professor, CAM
Dr. Jayant M
Assistant Professor, CAM
Institutional Leadership
Prof. Vivek Benegal
Professor & Officer-in-Charge, CAM
Prof. Pratima Murthy
Senior Professor & Director, NIMHANS
Ms. Nidhi Parate
Daily Program Coordinator
Prof. Vivek Benegal
Professor & Officer-in-Charge, CAM
Prof. Pratima Murthy
Senior Professor & Director, NIMHANS
Ms. Nidhi Parate
Daily Program Coordinator
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 skills
- 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
Cases Requiring Specialist Referral
- Patients with comorbid moderate to severe psychiatric disorders
- Associated severe substance use disorders requiring specialized care
- Complex cases with multiple medication interactions
- Patients requiring intensive psychiatric or addiction medicine support
Course Recognition & Support
Official Recognition
- Type: Continued Professional Development Programme
- Approval: NIMHANS Board of Studies
- Note: Not recognized by RCI/NMC regulatory bodies
- Certification: Lifetime access to course content included
Funding Partners
- NIMHANS Centre for Addiction Medicine
- Bajaj Electricals Foundation
- ECHO India
Conflict of Interest: Funding agencies had no role in course content design, delivery, or scientific merit evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I missed the warm-up quiz. What can be done now?
A: The warm-up quiz was designed for orientation purposes only and is not a mandatory criterion for accreditation. Please don't worry if you missed it.
Q: How do I prepare for the session Slido 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 are not provided due to large file sizes that slow 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: A detailed demonstration on case presentation and case record form filling was provided. You select your presentation date while filling the form, and your case file is shared one week prior to your 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, didactic presentations, and additional relevant materials under each session.
Resources & References
Essential Reading
- 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 Resources
- Video Portal: VKN NIMHANS YouTube Channel
- Discussion Forum: Available in elearn platform for peer interaction
- E-Library: Comprehensive collection in Information HUB
Contact Information
Program Coordinator: ni***@********ns.in
Course Link: https://vkn.nimhansdigitalacademy.in/cctc5_0
Course Fee: Approximately ₹1,000 (includes secured software, HIPAA compliance, and LMS access)