The 5As - Assess
Determine willingness to make a quit attempt
- Ask every tobacco user if he or she is willing to make a quit attempt at this time (e.g., within the next 30 days).
- If the patient is willing to make a quit attempt at this time, provide assistance.
- If the patient will participate in an intensive treatment, deliver such a treatment or refer to an intensive intervention.
- If the patient clearly states he or she is unwilling to make a quit attempt at this time, provide a motivational intervention.
- If the patient is a member of a special population (i.e., mid-life and older smoker, racial/ethnic minority), consider providing additional targeted information.
Assessing Stages of Change
| Question |
Answer |
Stage |
Action |
| Do you intend to stop smoking in the next 6 months? |
No |
PRECONTEMPLATION |
Use motivation strategies |
| Yes |
CONTEMPLATION |
Use motivation strategies |
| Do you plan to stop smoking within the next 30 days? |
No |
| Yes |
PREPARATION |
Continue with 5 A's: Assist and Arrange |
| Are you in the process of giving up smoking? |
Yes |
ACTION |
Encourage, assess for relapse |
| Have you quit smoking for more than 6 months? |
Yes |
MAINTENANCE |
Congratulate, prevent relapse |