Overcoming Barriers to Lung Cancer Screening by Implementing a Single-Visit Patient Experience.

Abstract

In 2011 the authors of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) reported a 20% risk reduction of lung cancer death using annual screening with a low dose CT (LDCT)[1]. In 2013, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) gave lung cancer screening a grade B recommendation indicating that LDCT should be covered by private insurers without cost sharing (co-pay)[2]. Implementation of a screening program could potentially avert 12,000 deaths annually[3]. Unfortunately, implementation of lung cancer screening programs has been slower than expected. Despite evidence that USPSTF recommendations influence 88.4% of practicing primary care providers (PCP’s)[4], only 47% of PCPs acknowledged the lung cancer screening recommendation[5], and only 12% of PCPs in an academic setting used LDCT scan for lung cancer screening[6]. The reasons for the failure to generate enthusiasm to implement lung cancer screening are multifactorial. However, lung cancer screening provides an opportunity to design novel patient-centered care. In this discussion, we will explore both the barriers to lung cancer screening implementation and our multidisciplinary approach which prioritizes patient-centered care by creating a single-visit patient experience.