NAQC published the original Minimal Data Set (MDS) in 2005 and all quitlines in the U.S. and Canada adopted use by early 2006. The MDS includes required and optional questions that are asked of callers at intake and seven-month follow-up. The standardized MDS questions create data that is useful for delivery of cessation services, surveillance of quitline callers and evaluation of quitlines. 

NAQC developed a set of Frequently Asked Questions to help partners better understand the current MDS and its significance, NAQC technical assistance available to help navigate and effectively use these data, and opportunities to engage with NAQC members to discuss data quality, modernization, and equity.

A major strength of the MDS is its ability to evolve over time to reflect new topics and issues of importance to both the quitline and research communities.

Announcement of MDS Optional COVID-19 Questions for the MDS - October 2020 

Interest in adding optional COVID-19 MDS questions arose during NAQC’s COVID-19 Contingency Planning calls with quitline providers in the spring of 2020. NAQC staff then formed and facilitated a workgroup of 18 members representing quitline providers, states, CDC, and research and evaluation entities to assist in drafting the questions and documenting their purpose and use. NAQC also gathered feedback from NAQC’s membership. These questions can be found in the MDS Optional Question Bank – 2020 document listed below announcements. There purpose and use are as follows:

Purpose: Adding optional COVID-19 pandemic questions to the MDS provides standardized questions that can help the quitline community understand impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on quitline participants’ amount of tobacco use, motivation to quit, and staying quit. Individual responses may help tailor coaching/counseling needs of the participant.

Use: Aggregate results can help document changes in patterns of tobacco use and motivation to quit, as well as demonstrate the role of quitlines as a wellness service during this public health pandemic.

MDS Optional Question Bank: The Optional Question Bank was updated in October 2020 to include the COVID-19 pandemic questions.

Announcement of MDS Updates – October 2019

In response to member feedback and concern about the increasing length of time for intake, NAQC initiated a review of MDS intake and follow-up questionnaires. The review was conducted from October 2016 to October 2019,  and included a robust process of gathering feedback from members, convening a workgroup, gathering current intake and follow-up questionnaires used by quitlines, and consultation with subject matter experts.

Below are key documents presenting the information on changes to the MDS. If you need assistance or have questions about the MDS please contact naqc@naquitline.org.   

Key MDS Update Documents

• Summary of MDS Review – October 2019
• MDS intake questionnaire – October 2019
• MDS follow-up questionnaire – October 2019
• MDS optional question bank – October 2020
• Webinar PowerPoint Slides - January 2020
• MDS review tool to assist the states in completing the intake questionnaire review process and identifying questions for removal with the goal of reducing the length.