Unmet care needs in respiratory disease is not new. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, irreversible, and fatal lung disease, with an estimated median survival time of 2–5 years following diagnosis. Studies have reported that IPF patients really struggle to get diagnose early or often misdiagnosed with other respiratory diseases. Also, patients have to cope with life-limiting,rapidly progressive illness with no good treatment and few support structures.
With such low life expectancy and significant life devastating conditions, it is essential to know what problems patients really feel about discussion with their physician in case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. What are their actual needs? How should a physician consult to IPF patients? What IPF patient care support program would you suggest?
