By R. Brent Wright, MD, MMM
Associate Dean for Rural Health Innovation
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Lung cancer is one of our state’s most intractable health challenges. Kentucky leads the nation in both incidence and mortality – with a mortality rate nearly 50 percent higher than the national average.
I represented physicians through KMA last year on a statewide task force of the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative that examined lung cancer care across the continuum. The task force made recommendations related to primary care and ways we could improve current practices, especially through the use of the new lung cancer screening recommendation. As a result, the following CME offerings were developed:
- A one-on-one CME visit by a cancer education specialist in your office (15-30 minutes), eligible for 0.5 hours CME credit. To arrange a visit, call (502) 852-6318 or email kyleads@louisville.edu
- An interactive online course that includes animated scenarios demonstrating shared decision making for lung cancer screening, as required by CMS. This two-hour course has been approved for CME credit. To take the online course go to lungcancerinKentucky.org.
Both of these science-based opportunities cover topics to help us:
- Find lung cancer at an early, more treatable stage with screening guidelines.
- Have more impact on smoking behavior in less time.
- Have better “Shared Decision Making” discussions.
- Enhance continuity of care by exchanging essential information with cancer specialists.
- Ensure that patients are offered opportunities for more effective, less invasive cancer treatment.
- Better address patient survivorship needs.
Kentucky LEADS Collaborative is a partnership of University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Lung Cancer Alliance. To learn more, go to www.KentuckyLEADS.org and click on “Provider Education.”
