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.
Keywords: care pathway analysis; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; organizational analyses; real-world data analysis; therapeutic pathways.
Copyright © 2022 Di Bidino, Rogliani, Sebastiani, Ricci, Varone, Sgalla, Iovene, Bruni, Flore, D'Ascanio, Cavalli, Savi, Di Michele, Cicchetti and Richeldi.