Tobacco treatment specialists’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about lung cancer screening: Potential piece of the puzzle for increasing lung cancer screening awareness

• Published in: Patient education and counseling Vol. 115; p. 107871
• Main Authors: Carter-Bawa, Lisa, Kotsen, Chris, Schofield, Elizabeth, Fathi, Joelle, Frederico, Victoria, Walsh, Leah E., Sheffer, Christine, Ostroff, Jamie S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Focus Groups; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Informed decision making, patient-clinician, communication; Lung cancer screening; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Patient education; Lung cancer screening; Patient education; Informed decision making, patient-clinician, communication
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107871

Less than 5% of eligible U.S. individuals undergo lung cancer screening (LCS). A significant barrier is lack of awareness; more effective outreach and education strategies are needed to achieve greater population LCS uptake. Tobacco Treatment Specialists (TTSs) are an untapped resource to assist and understanding TTS knowledge and perspectives about LCS and readiness and capacity to assist is a critical first step. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design was conducted to understand LCS knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of TTSs. A cross-sectional survey (N = 147) was conducted supplemented with 3 focus groups (N = 12). TTSs lacked good working knowledge about LCS in general and screening guidelines, but think it is important for their patient population and open to routinely assessing and adding this educational component into their current workflow. Tobacco treatment offers a unique venue for LCS awareness and is a setting where there are experienced specialists trained in tobacco use assessment and treatment. Results highlight the unmet training needs required to facilitate integration of tobacco treatment and LCS. TTSs are an expanding healthcare workforce. There is a strong need for current TTSs to receive additional training in the benefits of LCS. •Tobacco Treatment Specialists think lung cancer screening is important for their patient population and are open to adding this educational component to their workflow.•Results highlight the unmet training needs required to facilitate integration of tobacco treatment and lung screening among Tobacco Treatment Specialists in the U.S.•Tobacco treatment offers a unique opportunity to reach screening-eligible individuals.