AUTHOR=Di Bidino Rossella , Rogliani Paola , Sebastiani Alfredo , Ricci Alberto , Varone Francesco , Sgalla Giacomo , Iovene Bruno , Bruni Teresa , Flore Maria Chiara , D'Ascanio Michela , Cavalli Francesco , Savi Daniela , Di Michele Loreta , Cicchetti Americo , Richeldi Luca TITLE=Road Toward a New Model of Care for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in the Lazio Region JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.861076 DOI=10.3389/fmed.2022.861076 ISSN=2296-858X ABSTRACT=

A timely, confirmed diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) has a significant impact on the evolution of the disease. The current model of care in the Lazio region (in Italy) was assessed on the basis of real-world data provided by the four reference centers responsible for diagnosing and treating IPF. The 5-year, population-based, retrospective longitudinal study provided the data that is at the basis of the current proposal for a new clinical and therapeutic pathway (DTCP) and has been shared with regional decision makers. A DTCP must be defined and based on four pillars: GPs, pulmonologists, IPF centers, and telemedicine. Each must play a role within a sort of hub-and-spoke model. IPF centers remain the hubs, while spokes are identified in trained GPs and pulmonologists.