Increasing Lung Cancer Screenings in a Family Medicine Clinic

Author

Ashley WilliamsFollow

Date of Award

Summer 2024

Document Type

DNP Executive Summary

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Faculty Chair

Dr. Jolie Wildinger

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although lung cancer screening is an established guideline for intervention in primary care, eligible patients do not receive it. Patients at high risk of developing lung cancer are aged 50 to 80 and currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years. Obtaining an annual low-dose computed tomography for patients at high risk of developing lung cancer helps detect lung cancer earlier and, therefore, improves patient outcomes.

Purpose: The Doctor of Nursing (DNP) project aimed to increase lung cancer screenings in patients at high risk of developing lung cancer and bring awareness. The project also enhanced awareness and compliance with evidence-based lung cancer screening guidelines.

Methods: This quality improvement project utilized a centralized nurse practitioner design. The nurse practitioner served as an educator, coordinator, and practitioner. Patients were screened for lung cancer risk using the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines.

Results: Utilizing a nurse practitioner-centralized design to screen for high-risk lung cancer with USPSTF guidelines produced clinical improvement and statistical and clinical significance. Following evidence-based practice guidelines increased lung cancer screenings when more treatment options exist.

Conclusion: Among adults aged 50-80 who are current smokers or quit smoking within the last 15 years, the implementation of a centralized nurse practitioner screening program, compared to no program, increased screenings.

Recommended Citation

Williams, Ashley, "Increasing Lung Cancer Screenings in a Family Medicine Clinic" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 128.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/128