Why Provider Education is Critical: The Missing Link in Getting Patients Screened
Author: Hannah Horowitz, LCI Screening Saves Project Manager
Despite significant advances in early detection and access to life-saving screenings, far too many patients are still being diagnosed at later stages of disease when options are fewer and outcomes are worse. In lung cancer alone, nearly 80% of cases are diagnosed at a late stage, contributing to a five-year survival rate of just 28% (American Lung Association, 2023). The technology exists. The guidelines are clear. So why aren’t more patients being screened?
One often-overlooked reason is surprisingly simple: provider education.
Why Providers Matter
When it comes to preventive care, patients look to their providers for guidance and reassurance. A 2022 study found that patients who received a provider recommendation were over twice as likely to complete cancer screenings compared to those who did not. It’s not just about having access to care- it’s about having a conversation with someone they trust.
Providers are on the forefront of screening. They’re the ones who know a patient’s history, who review the charts, who ask the questions. But if they aren’t up-to-date on screening guidelines, or if they’re unsure about who qualifies, when, or how to refer, those critical conversations may never happen.
The Barriers Providers Face
It’s easy to assume providers already know everything they need to about screenings, but the reality is more complicated. Without intentional, ongoing education, even the most dedicated providers can struggle to keep up with:
- Changing guidelines– For example, the USPSTF updated lung cancer screening guidelines in 2021 to lower the screening age to 50 and the smoking history threshold to 20 pack-years (USPSTF, 2021).
- Time constraints– Studies show the average primary care visit lasts just 18 minutes, with numerous competing demands (Woolf et al., 2022).
- Discomfort– Discussions around smoking history, cancer risk, or low-dose CT scans can feel sensitive or complex.
- System challenges– A 2020 survey found that nearly 30% of primary care providers were unaware of lung cancer screening eligibility criteria (Lewis et al., Chest Journal).
Without the tools and confidence to navigate these barriers, providers may miss key opportunities to refer eligible patients.
How Education Makes a Difference
Effective provider education builds confidence and capacity. It equips providers to:
- Recognize eligible patients quickly and accurately
- Communicate risks and benefits clearly and compassionately
- Use shared decision-making tools to engage patients in their care
- Navigate referral systems and processes
Creating a Culture of Prevention
Educated providers are empowered providers. And when providers are confident in their knowledge, it ripples through the entire care team- nurses, schedulers, navigators, and patients themselves. The result is a culture where preventive care is prioritized, normalized, and acted upon.
Improving screening rates isn’t just about reminding patients- it’s about equipping providers. Every informed conversation has the potential to catch lung cancer early, start treatment sooner, and quite possibly, save a life.
Through Screening Saves, we are working to reach as many providers as possible throughout the region by attending conferences, hosting lunch & learns, and creating accessible educational materials. We know that early detection saves lives, but only if patients get screened. By equipping providers with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to identify eligible patients and initiate those critical conversations, we’re addressing one of the most powerful levers for improving screening rates. When providers are informed, patients are empowered- and that’s how we create lasting change in lung cancer outcomes across North Carolina and beyond.
At Lung Cancer Initiative, we believe that Screening Saves– because when lung cancer is caught early, lives are saved.
Want to learn more? Visit LCI’s Screening Saves program page to discover more resources tailored to patients and providers.