ProPatient has partnered with the Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL) and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) to develop a new online resource for people affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
The interactive program, “Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Partnering with Your Doctor,” is meant to extend important information, tools and advice to people with all levels of disease understanding – from those new to IPF to those now under treatment. The program also includes tips on traveling or exercising with IPF and on ways to best communicate with doctors.
“We aim to serve as the trusted resource for all who are affected by this disease,” Kate Gates, the PFF’s director of programs, said in a press release. “Our partnership with ProPatient supports an ongoing dialogue with physicians, researchers, industry representatives, and the patient community.”
The patient education program, and its associated activities for healthcare providers, are available online at no charge.
The program explores what patients and caregivers need to know about IPF, including how it is diagnosed, its possible causes, and how it is treated. It also shares some helpful tips for patients caring for their own needs, or that might assist caretakers.
“Our platform uses a combination of simulations and smart checklists to educate patients and caregivers, and also to help them get more from their doctor visits,” said JoAnne Schaberick, co-founder of ProPatient.
IPF is a lung disease that usually affects middle-age and older adults. The condition causes tissues deep in the lungs to become thick and stiff, or scarred, over time, in a process called fibrosis. As the lung tissue thickens, the lungs can’t properly move oxygen into the bloodstream, depriving the brain and other organs of sufficient oxygen.
PFF is a nonprofit organization that works with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis. ACHL is a provider of continuing medical education (CME) programs, and ProPatient is a patient-focused, online educational platform.
It is important to educate the IPF patient to be aware of lung transplant if eligible is one option while the same time in addition to risks of a major surgery may be exposed to PTLD, which unfortunately I acquired and am going through Chemo as we speak with cancer in my brain. With new lungs I am breathing freely but tired with Chemo!I Wish this possibility was alerted to me. But even if told I probably would have risked since the known risk probability is not high, I happened to be an unlucky one! Feel free to contact if you wish. Kesh