A leading expert in smoking cessation, Professor Peter Hajek of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, London, will be in Galway on Friday February 21 to host a one-day expert training course in effective strategies to help smokers quit.
The aim of this course, which will be held in the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre in Newcastle, is to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary competencies required to support patients in successfully quitting smoking. The practical nature of the course will offer health care professionals the opportunity to share experiences from practice and receive expert opinion from a leader in this specialist area. It will enhance the health care professionals’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in delivering effective smoking cessation support, while recognizing the limited time available for consultations. The most up to date evidence in relation to tobacco dependence, withdrawal treatments, and dealing with challenging clinical situations will be discussed and there will be a strong emphasis on the importance of using evidence based behaviour change techniques.
Professor Hajek is professor of clinical psychology, head of psychology, and director of the Tobacco Dependence Research Unit at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. His research is concerned primarily with understanding health behaviours, and developing and evaluating both behavioural and pharmacological treatments for dependent smokers and for people with weight problems. He has contributed to the establishment of the UK specialist stop-smoking service, training of its staff, and relevant NICE guidelines. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 publication.
Places for the course are limited, so early booking is advisable. This training course is An Bord Altranais and ICGP approved for CPD recognition. To book your place, log on to www.croi.ie/shortcourses Further details are available from Alma O Connell on 091-893506 or email [email protected].
