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Reducing Lung Cancer Mortality Through Early Detection: How Supporting Care Teams Helps

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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Michigan.

Although the rates are decreasing, mortality rates in Michigan from 2011 to 2019 were higher than in the rest of the U.S. Early detection through appropriate lung cancer screening is key to reducing lung cancer mortality. (1,2,3)

Interventions

To promote the importance of lung cancer screening and early detection, iMPROve Health designed and facilitated programming, including resources and technical assistance, for healthcare teams in Michigan beginning in November 2015. During our final year of programming (2022-2023), we offered Lung Cancer Screening Learning sessions (live virtual, on-demand webinar, and a new interactive eLearning module format). We also facilitated a virtual ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program to support healthcare teams in promoting lung cancer screening and early detection in their communities.

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The learning sessions delivered information and resources to care teams that support their important role in discussing lung cancer prevention and screening with their patients. They covered current screening recommendations, how to identify and refer eligible patients to screening, and resources to promote tobacco cessation. Learning sessions were free and offered continuing medical education credits.

In July 2023, the on-demand webinar format was replaced by an interactive eLearning module. The eLearning module is available on the iMPROve Health website through July 2024 and is eligible for one free continuing medical education credit.

The team launched a Lung Cancer Screening ECHO to further support this vital work in December 2022. The virtual ECHO series included didactic presentations, case presentations, and time for questions, group discussion, and resource sharing. Didactic topics for the five sessions included Screening eligibility criteria, Referral processes, Lung Cancer Screening and Next Steps, Health Disparities, and Engaging Patients in Lung Cancer Screening (a “didactic-on-demand” selected by participants).

Participants provided brief case presentations to the group during ECHO sessions, using a Plan-Do-Study-Act format to share the quality improvement interventions their teams were working on related to lung cancer screening and to ask for feedback from the group. These exciting sessions allowed participants to learn from and collaborate with other healthcare professionals and subject matter experts.

Results

Man Attending Virtual Lesson

Since 2020, 146 participants attended live virtual learning sessions, and the on-demand webinar has been viewed 233 times. It was also completed by individuals in three states outside of Michigan.

One participant who coordinated a live virtual learning session for their organization in 2021 said, “The personalized presentation was great – it provided us with so many pearls and helpful details regarding such an important health topic. Thank you for helping our team recognize the importance of this work during pandemic times. The virtual format provided us an opportunity to learn new ways to collaborate, as well.”

Additionally, most live virtual session participants found the content helpful for their jobs, that the format was effective, and that they would share the information with others at their organizations.

The ECHO sessions were attended by participants representing 14 organizations across Michigan. Polling questions assessed change in knowledge and whether participants would use what they learned in their work. Overall, a greater percentage of respondents reported improved knowledge in topic areas after the sessions, and 80% of participants indicated that they would “probably” or “definitely use” the information they learned at work.

Several resources were shared as a part of this project, including recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Taskforce and many others. A list is available below.