Increasing lung screening uptake: Exploring people who smoke and their family members' concerns and recommendations regarding screening invitations.

Abstract

Introduction: Challenges with designing invitation materials and accessing high risk communities are all factors in encouraging attendance at lung screening. This study focused on ways to improve participation in those potentially eligible for lung screening.

Methods: A total of 50 qualitative interviews and 4 focus groups (n=17) were undertaken with people aged 50-75 years from East Midlands, UK. Individuals were purposively sampled to include those who were potential lung screening participants (PSP: n=39) and family members (FM: n=11) of people who smoke, and therefore potentially eligible for participation. Semi-structured discussion guides explored views on lung screening and ways to support uptake. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the framework approach.

Results: Data highlighted a number of novel findings. Themes centered on involving family members in encouraging lung screening attendance, appropriate phrasing around differing types of tobacco use and considering people who do not smoke within the context of lung screening eligibility.

Conclusions: Exploring the use of family members in encouraging attendance in lung screening may be a valuable, but as yet underused approach. Additional phrasing around varying types of tobacco use may help to clarify invitational materials. Clearer eligibility guidelines regarding lung screening may clarify the role of smoking in lung screening.