Certification issues summarised: results of Massachusetts tobacco treatment provider interviews and surveys, and national tobacco treatment expert interviews
| Certification issue | Results by data source | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts provider interviewees | Massachusetts provider survey respondents | National experts | |
| Should there be certification for TTSs? | Yes (all); most would obtain | Yes (majority) | Yes: 14/18 (definitely=8, qualified=6) Need research: 1/18 No: 3/18 |
| Benefits | • Standards of practice • Credibility and professionalism • Provision of effective services to tobacco users • Increased educational opportunities for providers • Job security and promotion potential • Increased marketability of tobacco treatment programmes • Possible insurance reimbursement | • Standards of practice • Credibility, legitimise the profession • Increase quality of care provided to tobacco users • Enhance career potential | • Assure competency among tobacco treatment providers and consistency of services provided • Ensure evidence based treatment methodologies are utilised |
| Concerns | • Cost of certification • Time commitment • Need to be sensitive to cultural and language differences | • Cost of certification • Time commitment • Potential to restrict access to services | • Administration of certification programme • Need to determine where TTS fits in the healthcare delivery system • Potential to restrict access to services • Potential to exclude qualified individuals |
| Eligibility requirements | • Experience in substance abuse and tobacco treatment • Some formal training • No consensus re: minimum educational requirements • Examination (include essay section) | • Length of experience in field • Training in tobacco treatment • Educational level not important • ½ (5/10) endorsed passage of exam | • Examination (14/18) • Professional preparation and experience (no consensus) |
| Grandfathering | • Mixed response | • Overwhelmingly supported | • Majority (11/18) said no |
| Recertification (exam, CEUs) | • Based on CEU requirement • Every 2–3 years | • Based on CEU requirement | • Based on CEU requirement |
| Levels of certification | • Basic level and certification should include special populations; not much support for multiple levels of certification | • ½ (5/10) endorsed subspecialty certification for co-morbid populations and the mentally ill | • Basic level only (6/18); emphasise referral skills for complex clients • Two or more levels (6/18) • Advanced level only (3/18) • Undecided (1/18) |
| Training structure | • Seminars or conferences • Interactive, use case studies and small group discussions | • Local full day seminar format trainings • Home study | N/A |