Lung cancer screening knowledge in four internal medicine university programs.

Abstract

11027 Background: Low density CT (LDCT) screening reduces lung cancer specific and all-cause mortality in high risk populations. However, it remains underutilized. Screening discussions often start in primary care clinics of which nearly 30% are occupied by residents. Recognizing gaps in knowledge in early medical training may translate into a higher utilization of LDCT screening. Methods: To evaluate knowledge about lung cancer screening in Internal Medicine (IM) residents at 4 academic programs we distributed a survey to assess population at risk, mortality benefits, comparison between LDCT, colonoscopy and mammogram, and a knowledge self assessment. Results: 166 out of 360 (46%) IM residents at the 4 institutions participated, including 42% PGY-1, 30% PGY-2, and 28% PGY-3. Residents attained an average of 2.9 correct responses out of 7 (43.1%), without any statistically significant difference among programs. PGY-1 residents performed better than PGY-2 and PGY-3 (p=0.022). 36% correctly identified the appropriate population for screening. 90% correctly indicated that LDCT screening results in a cancer specific mortality reduction. 59% correctly indicated that LDCT results in all-cause mortality reduction. 7.7% answered that women stand to benefit the most from screening. 66% correctly answered that LDCT underperforms colonoscopy regarding mortality reduction. 22% answered correctly that LDCT outperforms mammography in reducing mortality. 65% of residents perceived their knowledge to be average or lower. Conclusions: LDCT knowledge is deficient among the residents studied. PGY-1 residents performed significantly better than their upper level peers. There were no significant differences among institutions. [Table: see text]