Use of telehealth to improve lung cancer screening program delivery of results

Le résumé fourni par la source

Introduction: Lung cancer screening has proven to reduce lung cancer deaths in high income countries. Mobile units (MU) have successfully employed lung cancer screening to increase recruitment of high-risk subjects. Although MU are able to achieve hard-to-reach populations, explaining exam results might be a challenge. Telehealth can be a successful tool to remotely provide medical guidance. Aim: To describe the implementation of telehealth in a lung cancer screening program using mobile computed tomography unit in Brazil. Methods: Starting in February 2023, telehealth was implemented in the existing lung cancer screening program for high-risk subjects at Barretos Cancer Hospital. Teleconsultations with a pneumologist were performed to inform and discuss low-dose computed tomography results, including tobacco-related and other incidental findings. Referrals to general practitioners were made. Smoking cessation counseling with a reference to treatment was provided for current smokers. Results: Within 20 days of implementing telehealth, 70 appointments were scheduled and 67 subjects were attended. The majority were men (52%), and their age range was 55 to 79 years old. A successful first attempt was reached by 90% of subjects, and all were referenced to the primary health system. Only 4 out of 67 (6%) were not able to be contacted in the first attempt and a new appointment was scheduled. All current smokers (64%) received smoking cessation counseling, and only one patient refused referral to a smoking cessation group. Conclusions: Telehealth was successfully implemented in the lung cancer screening program, and this approach will be routinely employed to improve the engagement of participants.

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