Case Studies for Enhancing eReferral Capacity: A Strategy for Increasing Cessation Among Priority

In May 2015, the North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC) launched an 18-month project to establish national capacity to implement eReferral with tobacco cessation quitlines that did not previously have capacity. Four state teams comprised of a state quitline the quitline funder and a healthcare partner were formed and received intensive training, and individualized technical assistance to help address challenges and overcome barriers that presented through the implementation process. The goals of the project were two-fold:

1.     Increase delivery of effective cessation services to more smokers, especially those populations disproportionately burdened by smoking (low-SES, LGBTQ, ethnic minorities, behavioral health population, etc.) and

2.     Address the system changes needed within healthcare organizations to identify smokers and refer them electronically to quitlines.

The project was successful in expanding eReferral capacity to four additional service providers  that did not previously have capacity, increasing the total number of quitline service providers with capacity to send and receive eReferrals and increasing  tobacco cessation services provided to priority populations. While the project’s intended outcomes were achieved, the experiences of each of the four state teams varied greatly. As part of the project, each of the state teams were asked document the process their  team undertook to implement eReferral in their respective state. NAQC is pleased share these Case Studies with members. Each Case Studies provides:

• An overview of the strategic objectives of the quitline and the services offered;
• The promotional and outreach strategies employed to maximize reach;
• Barriers and challenges encountered throughout the course of the 18-month project;
• Solutions developed to address the barriers and challenges;
• Lessons learned; and
• Key elements for success.