Lung Cancer Screening Policy in Alaska and Occupational Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• Lung cancer is a leading global cause of cancer mortality, often diagnosed at late stages.
• Early detection through low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening is vital for improving patient outcomes.
• Primary care physicians face time and training barriers to implementing required shared decision-making for LDCT screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the current landscape of lung cancer detection and LDCT screening in Alaska.
• To identify opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners within primary care settings to support lung cancer screening.
• To explore the role of occupational therapists as patient educators and prevention specialists.

Main Methods:

• Review of current lung cancer screening guidelines and Medicare requirements.
• Analysis of the primary care setting's challenges in delivering shared decision-making for LDCT.
• Exploration of occupational therapy's potential contributions to lung cancer prevention and early detection.

Main Results:

• Physician time constraints and documentation burdens hinder comprehensive LDCT screening implementation.
• Occupational therapy practitioners possess skills applicable to patient education and facilitating shared decision-making for LDCT.
• There is a clear opportunity for occupational therapists to integrate into primary care to enhance lung cancer screening rates.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapists can play a significant role in addressing barriers to lung cancer screening.
• Integrating occupational therapy into primary care can improve access to and delivery of LDCT screening.
• This integration supports early lung cancer detection and prevention efforts in primary care settings.