Primary care providers’ views on a future lung cancer screening program
Abstract
Background The National Lung Screening Trial demonstrated that screening with low-dose computed tomography significantly reduces mortality from lung cancer in high-risk individuals. Objective To describe the role preferences and information needs of primary care providers (PCPs) in a future organized lung cancer screening program. Methods We purposively sampled PCPs from diverse health regions of Ontario and from different practice models including family health teams and community health centres. We also recruited family physicians with a leadership role in cancer screening. We used focus groups and a nominal group process to identify informational priorities. Two analysts systematically applied a coding scheme to interview transcripts. Results Four groups were held with 34 providers and administrative staff [28 (82%) female, 21 (62%) physicians, 7 (20%) other health professionals and 6 (18%) administrative staff]. PCPs and staff were generally positive about a potential lung cancer screening program but had variable views on their involvement. Informational needs included evidence of potential benefits and harms of screening. Most providers preferred that a new program be modelled on positive features of an existing breast cancer screening program. Lung cancer screening was viewed as a new opportunity to counsel patients about smoking cessation. Conclusions The development of a future lung cancer screening program should consider the wide variability in the roles that PCPs preferred. An explicit link to existing smoking cessation programs was seen as essential. As providers had significant information needs, learning materials and opportunities should be developed with them.
Citation
O'Brien , M A , Sullivan , F , Llovet , D & Paszat , L 2019 , ' Primary care providers’ views on a future lung cancer screening program ' , Family Practice: the International Journal for Research in Primary Care , vol. 36 , no. 4 , pp. 501–505 . https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmy099
Publication
Family Practice: the International Journal for Research in Primary Care
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0263-2136Type
Journal article
Rights
© 2018, the Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press. This work has been made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created accepted version manuscript following peer review and as such may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmy099
Description
Funding: Ontario Cancer Screening Research NetworkCollections
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