Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025
06:28
E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
8.4K
National lung cancer screening program feasibility study in Estonia
Kadi Kallavus1,2, Kaja-Triin Laisaar2, Anneli Rätsep2,3
1Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
|February 22, 2023
Summary
Lung cancer screening (LCS) in family practices shows high patient uptake. Systematic enrollment by physicians is effective for lung cancer screening, especially in well-functioning healthcare systems.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Oncology
- Primary Care Medicine
Background:
- Lung cancer screening (LCS) is crucial for early detection and improved patient outcomes.
- Implementing systematic patient enrollment in primary care settings presents unique challenges and opportunities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and identify bottlenecks for systematic lung cancer screening enrollment within family physician practices.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a systematic approach to LCS in a primary care setting.
Main Methods:
- A feasibility study was conducted across 3 family physician practices, targeting individuals born between 1947-1966 (ages 55-74).
- Information on smoking history was collected, and eligible current/ex-smokers were invited to an LCS visit.
- Inclusion criteria included smoking history (≥20 pack-years) and a PLCOm2012noRace risk score >1.5, with high-risk individuals referred for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).
Main Results:
- Out of 7035 individuals, 1208 were in the target age group; 395 current/ex-smokers were invited.
- 206 individuals met LCS inclusion criteria and were referred for LDCT.
- An estimated participation rate of 87.4% was achieved, with 201 individuals completing the LDCT scan.
Conclusions:
- Systematic enrollment in lung cancer screening by family physicians leads to high patient uptake and effectiveness.
- This approach is particularly viable in well-established family physician systems, such as in Estonia.
- The study provides valuable data for ongoing regional LCS pilot studies.
