2009 AAP Richmond Center Dissemination of Best Practices Conference
February 25 – 27, 2009
Anaheim, CA
Secondhand cigarette smoke is among the most damaging and widespread environmental threats to children. Nearly 40% of children in the United States are exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke, while tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable mortality in the country. There now are several effective tools available to train pediatricians in ways to assist parents and caregivers to quit smoking and promote habits to eliminate children’s exposure. The Academy’s Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence plays a leading role in these efforts. The Center is dedicated to eliminating children’s exposure to tobacco and secondhand smoke and is supported by generous grants from the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI) and the American Legacy Foundation. One of the Center’s projects, led by Dana Best, MD, MPH, FAAP, of Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, is entitled Dissemination of Best Practices to Promote Smoke Free Homes.
Smoke Free Homes is a comprehensive, national initiative to train pediatric clinicians in brief, effective methods to reduce children's secondhand smoke exposure through parental smoking cessation and harm reduction counseling. This year the project hosted a 1 ½ day invitational conference in Anaheim, CA from February 25 – 27 to train pediatric clinicians and allied health professionals. Champions from over 20 states across the US were represented.
The training included presentations from leading pediatricians and experts in the field of pediatric tobacco control, group exercises, candid discussions, and individualized coaching sessions. Participants walked away with ideas and a plan on how to implement their personal goals. Dr. Best moderated the conference and emphasized the key role and responsibility each of the participants had to protecting the health of children. Jonathan Klein, MD, MPH, FAAP, Director of the Julius B. Richmond Center, addressed the role of advocacy and encouraged participants to promote smoke free homes and tobacco control in the practices, communities, AAP Chapters, and States.
Participants earned CME credit for attending, and feedback from the participants was positive. They found the information presented practical and applicable to their practices. The exercises facilitated the discussions and the role-playing activities helped solidify their responsibility as a pediatric healthcare provider in the fight against tobacco use. Each participant made a commitment to put this training to use in helping change their practice settings, and in addressing tobacco control policy in communities and states. Overall, the conference was a huge success for the participating pediatric professionals and its accomplishments will fuel the impetus of overcoming tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure in pediatrics.
Download Application (Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2008)
The American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The AAP designates this educational activity for a maximum of 9.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.This activity is acceptable for up to 9.0 AAP credits. These credits can be applied toward the AAP CME/CPD Award available to Fellows and Candidate Members of the American Academy of Pediatrics.The American Academy of Physician Assistants accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME. This program is approved for 9.0 NAPNAP contact hours of which 0 contain pharmacology (Rx) content per the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Continuing Education Guidelines.
