{
  "abstract": "Background Rural patients with lung cancer have higher incidence and mortality rates than their urban counterparts. Alabama is predominantly rural, with 82% of its counties being rural. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital is the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) recognized cancer center, providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care for lung cancer patients. However, patients who live in rural areas do not have easy access to this level of care.Objective As above.Methods We established a tele-lung nodule clinic at a rural hospital, where a specialist could evaluate patients via telemedicine and then travel to UAB if they needed a procedure. We also simplified the referral process.Results Post-intervention analysis revealed a decrease in the wait time for rural patients to be seen in the clinic from 29 to 8 days ( figure 1). The mean distance traveled by rural patients for clinic visits also improved and is now comparable to that of local County residents, 13 miles vs 16 miles (table 1). The total number of patients seen from rural Counties also increased by more than double in 2020 compared to 2019.Conclusion This pilot project shows promising results for access to care for the rural population with suspected lung cancer when an innovative telemedicine approach and a simplified referral process were implemented.Abstract 49 Figure 1Time to clinic pre and post interventionAbstract 49 Table 1Distance traveled by rural patients vs. Jefferson country-post intervention Pre-Intervention Post-Intervention Rural patients: 85 miles (mean) 16 miles (mean) Local patients: 13 miles (mean) 13 miles (mean)",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)"
      ],
      "name": "Joseph Thachuthara-George"
    }
  ],
  "title": "49 Rural tele clinic for lung nodules – a pilot initiative",
  "uid": "b8593792-80b9-5d0b-b152-9797aefe6664"
}