Smoking cessation competencies for health workers in New Zealand

Aim: To outline competencies to guide smoking cessation delivery by health workers in New Zealand. Methods: The cessation competencies were developed from a literature review of competencies measurable and relevant to New Zealand, the evidence for effectiveness of different interventions from the 2007 New Zealand Smoking Cessation Guidelines, and consultation with an expert group and smoking cessation providers throughout New Zealand. Results: The literature review identified only a handful of relevant documents on smoking cessation workforce competencies. Thirty-nine skill and knowledge-based competencies, based on three standards from the 2007 New Zealand Smoking Cessation Guidelines were identified. Each competency has been assigned a level (core, generalist, and specialist) depending on the provider's role. Conclusions: The New Zealand smoking cessation competencies provide a basis for guiding expectations of the measurable knowledge and skills all workers providing smoking cessation should attain, Their utility should be evaluated and reviewed after at least a year.