Deconstructing myths, building alliances: A networking model to enhance tobacco control in hospital mental-health settings
It has been a good few years since the Catalan Network of Smoke-free Hospitals, together with the Public Health Agency of Catalonia, planned a strategy to work in a context that hitherto seemed impervious to the advances in tobacco control that have taken place in hospitals and in the society in general.
In this setting, in November 2007, and with the aim of improving tobacco control in the hospital mental health-care services of Catalonia, a working group was created with key professionals identified as motivated and experienced in the topic of smoking in patients with mental disorders: the early adopters. The group operates via a bottom-up approach that works from the grassroots through people working together, resulting in decisions that arise from collaboration.
In order to strengthen the group, an increasing number of professionals have been incorporated. The guiding principle was to have at least one representative from the maximum number of hospitals with mental health inpatient services. Currently, the group is composed of 29 professionals from 18 centres around Catalonia, a multidisciplinary group that encompasses professionals from nursing, psychiatry and psychology. Every member of the group has served has a leader in tobacco control in their hospital, making the activities of the working group known and converting the topic into a priority in their centres.[/vc_column_text]
If you would like to better know how our group works and its strategy you can freely access this article, recently published in the journal Gaceta Sanitaria (in English), and following us at our Twitter account @psychonicotine.
Montse Ballbè, coordinadora del Grup Salut Mentali tabac, Xarxa Catalana d’Hospitas sense Fum