UW-PASS Health Counselor T.Jay Christenson shows Carol Knor, a study participant, information on quitting smoking during a visit at Aurora Clinic in Kenosha. Knor has quit smoking for more than two months.
On the surface, the typical day for UW-PASS Health Counselor T.Jay Christenson seems pretty ordinary. The UW-CTRI employee drives to the Aurora Clinic in Kenosha and preps for his visits with UW-PASS study participants—confirming his schedule, reviewing what to cover in each patient’s visit and gathering any tools he needs for vital signs. During his first appointment, typically around 8 a.m., he’ll dispense appropriate medications and offer free coaching to help patients cut down or quit smoking. After that, in between other patient visits, he’ll handle phone calls to check in with participants, and usually wrap up his day with the last patient visit at 5 p.m.
What’s extraordinary, Christenson said, is the look of pride on the faces of participants he has helped to be smoke-free for a week or two or three. “It’s a decision that will change their life,” Christenson said. “They’ll live longer, be more productive, and it’s nice to be part of that.”
One happy former smoker is Carol Knor of Kenosha. “This program has been a God-send,” Knor said. “I don’t have coughing fits like I did before. My husband is very happy about it. He has been after me to quit for 10 years.” Knor said it was helpful to have the nicotine patch and gum along with Christenson’s coaching. “It was nice to have someone other than yourself or your family to be accountable to.”
Working in the clinic is a change for Christenson. In past roles with UW-CTRI, he worked on research studies in the proverbial laboratory. UW-CTRI would advertise for volunteers and the most motivated smokers would come into the UW-CTRI office in Milwaukee ready to quit.
“I think what’s different,” Christenson said, “between research done in the past and this study is that, in this study, we don’t necessarily know the individual’s motivation level.” In the UW-PASS study, medical assistants at partnering health-care clinics ask patients if they are interested in participating in a study to change their smoking by either cutting down or quitting. Some participants want to quit, others want to cut back, others are unsure.
“That can be a challenge,” Christenson said. “Still, the UW-PASS patients are motivated to some degree because they’re sitting with me.” When Knor’s Aurora medical assistant asked her about the study, Knor didn’t really think about it. “I just said yes. I thought, why not?”
Overall, Christenson said patient feedback has been positive. “People seem really excited about it. When you’re able to offer free services, they’re excited to take advantage of it. The free medication is a big motivator.” Christenson has enjoyed being a health counselor. “The clinic staff has been a pleasure with which to work; they’ve welcomed us with open arms. The patients have been a nice bunch of people. I really enjoy the work. I like being out here in the clinic.” |
