French Health Authorities publish IPF National Protocol for Diagnosis and Care
A working group consisting of 39 pulmonologists, 3 radiologists, 3 anamopathologists, 3 general practicians, 2 nurses, 1 psychologist and 1 physiotherapist plus our french association APEFPI and led by Pr Vincent Cottin (a member of the EU-IPFF Scientific Advisory Board) has worked one year to create the French IPF National Protocol for Diagnosis and Care. One Canadian, one Swiss and one Belgium Pulmonologists were part of the 39 working group members.
The comprehensive document covers all aspects of IPF from symptoms, diagnosis, follow-up and progression of the disease.
In comprises a 17-pages summary available for general practitioners.
The French IPF association APEFPI has been consulted and prodided input throughout the document and and has succeeded in including the importance of patient organisations as a part of IPF care, including making this an important point when announcing the diagnosis.
"This is such an important tool to improve our care and to accelerate the time from symptoms to diagnosis, if this becomes part of knowledge base of the Genberal Practitioners," says President of APEFPI Jean Michel Fourrier.
