As the summer comes to an end, what began with a glimpse of normalcy has ended with another flood of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Our profession has been met with many challenges and continues to trudge on. I am glad to report that our Network has maintained pursuits beyond COVID-19 and am excited to announce the completion of the revamped CHEST Tobacco Treatment Toolkit. The original toolkit was a thorough but dense document with great information for providers interested in tobacco treatment. The new toolkit, assembled by a multidisciplinary team, is more concise and user-friendly. It focuses on treating tobacco addiction as a chronic disease, titrating medications, and reimbursement. The tobacco toolkit is divided into eight sections, including Motivational Interviewing, Testing/Diagnostics, Treatment Basics, Treatment Pearls, Clinical Vignettes, Special Populations, Treatment for e-Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products, and Insurance Billing and Telehealth.
While the toolkit is available for download as a PDF, an exciting and new feature is a multimedia interactive platform that reviews clinician interactions with a tobacco-dependent patient via Avatars – that can be found here. The project also included the development of a new video game for tobacco users, Smoke Out: Tobacco Pirates, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play for free download. The game is fun to play for patients and clinicians alike and has embedded educational content focused on tobacco users as they move toward cessation. I do hope you will take the time to check out, bookmark, and use all of the elements of the CHEST tobacco toolkit. It is a great example of how a Network project proposal can produce a useful product. If you have suggestions or thoughts for additional Network projects, please let us know.
Lastly, while I am saddened that we will not be able to see each other in person yet again, there are many reasons to look forward to the CHEST 2021, October 17-20. The content delivered on the virtual platform promises to be innovative, interactive, and exciting. I hope our Network members will find the time to take a break, attend the meeting, and receive updates and education on topics in Thoracic Oncology and other areas of interest.
Check out the newest edition of the Tobacco Treatment Toolkit, featuring the work of NetWork member, Matthew Bars, MS, CTTS, NCTTP.
Upcoming NetWork call
As a NetWork member, you're welcome to join your NetWork Steering Committee calls. If interested in joining an upcoming call, please contact Maggie Kosinski at mkosinski@chestnet.org, and she will be happy to share access information.
Save the date! This year, the CHEST 2021 Thoracic Oncology Open Forum will take place prior to the meeting in October, and is open to everyone. Register today for the Open Forum, Monday, October 4, at 11 am CT.
COVID‑19 resources
Explore the COVID‑19 Resource Center to find curated content to help you during the pandemic. Browse through clinical resources, access key research related to the management of patients with COVID‑19, view recorded webinars, and more.
Sharpen your COVID‑19 knowledge with the new CHEST Player Hub game, Defeat COVID‑19, developed by the CHEST COVID‑19 Task Force. Answer questions about COVID‑19 symptoms, diagnosis, and management to score power-ups on the game board and advance your score.
Get to know your leadership: José De Cardenas, MD, FCCP
I am an interventional pulmonologist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I was a first-year pulmonary and critical care Fellow when I got involved with CHEST in 2012. I am being honest when I say it was one of the most important steps for developing a successful professional career, nurturing long-lasting connections and friendships, and actively learning from other colleagues.
Most of my clinical practice and interests are devoted to the evaluation, early diagnosis, and endoscopic treatment of thoracic malignancies, which was the ultimate reason that motivated me to become an active member of the CHEST Thoracic Oncology NetWork. Inside the NetWork, I was able to connect with a diverse core group of young leaders in the field and thrive among them. Thanks to their approachability, guidance, and enthusiasm, I was not only able to expand my knowledge, but advocate for patients and other colleagues, and finally publish and participate more actively in CHEST.
Besides reading and connecting with people, I love playing my saxophone(s).
Also of interest
Purchase the new, on-demand Thoracic Radiology: Imaging for Clinicians course to earn the basics of thoracic imaging and airway diseases by reviewing unique cases with expert faculty. This course is designed to help you take your thoracic imaging skills to the next level, so you excel in complex ICU situations.
The journal CHEST® is accepting applications for Early Career Editorial Board Members. This is a 12-month mentorship with the journal CHEST Editorial Board. Accelerate your professional career with this opportunity to learn about the scholarly publishing landscape, review manuscripts, make recommendations for final decisions on manuscripts, and more. Apply before the deadline, Friday, October 1.
In-person simulation courses are back, and seats are filling fast. The all-new course format for 2021 ensures your safety while offering you valuable hands-on, interactive training with experts. Explore the full course schedule to find more courses like this one:
I am an interventional pulmonologist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I was a first-year pulmonary and critical care Fellow when I got involved with CHEST in 2012. I am being honest when I say it was one of the most important steps for developing a successful professional career, nurturing long-lasting connections and friendships, and actively learning from other colleagues.
