The iSISTAQUIT Program, a ground-breaking initiative designed by community, has this week announced its national expansion. iSISTAQUITdeveloped to support pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in quitting smoking as well as improving their health and wellbeing.
After clinical trials and testing of training and resources involving over 40 health services throughout Australia, including many Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHOs), the iSISTAQUIT program is now ready to expand its rollout. A self-paced four-hour online training is available now to individual health professionals (e.g., midwives, nurses, Aboriginal health workers, GPs and obstetricians) and health services (e.g., ACCHOs, Medical Centres and Hospitals).
Health professionals all agree that smoking cessation in pregnancy is an important issue to ensure mothers have a healthy birth and babies have a great start in life.
“Our goal is to provide training and resources to health professionals so they can support pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to create a smoke-free future for themselves and their unborn child.
Our women are strong, resilient and motivated to quit smoking and vaping in pregnancy, so we need health professionals trained and ready to assist,” said Rebecca Hyland Senior Program Manager at iSISTAQUIT.
“Our iSISTAQUIT smoking and vaping cessation training includes free educational resources: a Treatment manual, consultation flipchart and a ‘My Journey Booklet’ for clients. These were a result of hearing from health professionals that although 100% of them said not smoking in pregnancy is vitally important, many did not have the confidence, skills or optimism to have that chat. All health professionals are eligible for CPD points from the training.”
“92% of the health professionals that were part of the course recommend the iSISTAQUIT training“ said Professor Gillian Gould, project lead at iSISTAQUIT.
Registration for the training is super easy. Email the team at iSISTAQUIT@scu.edu.au
Contact Rebecca Hyland 0411 876 770
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