Assessment and Efficacy of Low-Dose CT Screening and Primary Care Providers Perspective on Lung Cancer Screening: An Institutional Review

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual lung screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) chest for at risk individuals. This study aimed to assess the LDCT screening rates at a well-established lung nodule clinic, and compare them with the national average. 1178 patients eligible for LDCT were included. 50 primary care physicians (PCPs) at the clinic completed a questionnaire that aimed to gauge their beliefs and concerns with the implementation of this program. 45% of patients received LDCT screening, which was considerably higher than the national average of 2%-5%, with only 3% inappropriate screening.  78% of providers were aware of the guidelines and believed that multiple comorbidities and insurance issues were the most prevalent barriers to initiating screening. 78% of the providers thought that creating reminders in the medical record system would improve future screening rates and avoid missed screening. Screening is an essential component of prevention, however lung cancer screening rates are very low in comparison to other programs. Widespread awareness among the primary care providers and the public is critical for improving the use of LDCT. Read full text