Overview
Interprofessional Strategies for Mitigating Diagnostic and Treatment Delays in Patients With Fibrosing ILDs
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Fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), encompassing a range of disorders such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), and systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-associated ILD (SARD-ILD), are rare diseases with symptoms that often overlap with other respiratory ailments, making it difficult to identify and diagnose. Real-world data have illuminated the detrimental impact of diagnostic delays on disease progression, underscoring the importance of prompt recognition and timely referral to specialized centers. Equally critical is the utilization of diagnostic tools, such as pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans, to accurately identify and classify ILD subtypes, and monitor for SARD-ILD in at-risk patients. Prompt identification and classification allow for consensus on optimal management plans that consider both pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease aspects. Ultimately, the complexity of managing fibrosing ILDs necessitates a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, demanding proficiency in the most up-to-date diagnostic techniques, therapeutic interventions, and supportive care.
This educational activity has compiled education and practical tools to help you efficiently and effectively address this complexity. It also includes downloadable slide decks and discussion guides to initiate meaningful conversations and improve interprofessional care within your team. Whether you are a referring specialist or practice within an ILD center, you can drive changes to positively impact care for your patients by adopting effective monitoring, diagnostic, treatment and/or coordination of care practices.
This activity is intended for academic and community rheumatologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, APPs in these settings, and other members of the multidisciplinary teams treating patients with or at risk for fibrosing ILDs across the US.
Fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) encompass a heterogeneous group of disorders such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), progressive pulmonary fibrosis, and systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-associated ILD, that are often progressive and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The clinical presentation of fibrosing ILDs can be subtle and often overlaps with other respiratory ailments, leading to delays in diagnosis and appropriate interventions that negatively impact patients. Patients with SARDs are at increased risk of ILD, requiring routine screening with available diagnostics. A robust understanding of at-risk patients, the distinctive signs and symptoms, coupled with insights into the epidemiology and natural history of these disorders, is essential for clinicians to effectively recognize and differentiate these conditions. Although treatments for fibrosing ILDs have been developed, findings from studies utilizing US registry data have indicated that only 58% to 70% of IPF patients receive antifibrotic therapies. Effective management of fibrosing ILDs necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, demanding proficiency in the most up-to-date diagnostic techniques, therapeutic interventions, and supportive care strategies.
Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:
• Apply evidence-based guidelines for the interpretation of diagnostic tools, such as pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), in the evaluation of fibrosing ILDs
• Evaluate current and emerging antifibrotic therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), and systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-associated ILD (SARD-ILD) in terms of efficacy, adverse events (AEs), and patient suitability
• Design patient-centered care plans that integrate current and emerging pharmacologic interventions to alleviate the clinical burden associated with fibrosing ILDs
• Develop effective strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of fibrosing ILDs, with a focus on coordinated care among pulmonologists and rheumatologists
• Apply evidence-based guidelines for the interpretation of diagnostic tools, such as pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), in the evaluation of fibrosing ILDs
• Evaluate current and emerging antifibrotic therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), and systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-associated ILD (SARD-ILD) in terms of efficacy, adverse events (AEs), and patient suitability
• Design patient-centered care plans that integrate current and emerging pharmacologic interventions to alleviate the clinical burden associated with fibrosing ILDs
• Develop effective strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of fibrosing ILDs, with a focus on coordinated care among pulmonologists and rheumatologists
This educational activity is presented in collaboration with Rush University Medical Center and Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL).
Supported by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Shervin Assassi, MD, MS
Division Director and Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology
UTHealth Houston
Houston, TX
Division Director and Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology
UTHealth Houston
Houston, TX
Mark Yoder, MD
Associate Professor, Medicine
Section Chief, Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
Rush Medical Group
Chicago, IL
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Individuals in control of content for this activity have the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose and all financial relationships have been mitigated.
The following financial relationships have been provided:
Shervin Assassi, MD, MS
Consultant: Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, Merck, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Takeda, TeneoFour
Research Grant: Abbvie, aTyr
Speakers Bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim
Mark Yoder, MD
No financial relationships to disclose.
Interprofessional Continuing Education Office at Rush University Medical Center staff members, ACHL staff members, and others involved with the planning, development, and review of the content for this activity have no relevant affiliations or financial relationships to disclose.
The content for this activity was developed independently of any ineligible company. All materials are included with permission. The opinions expressed are those of the faculty and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantor(s).
This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Recommendations involving clinical medicine in a continuing medical education (CME/CE) activity must be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients. All scientific research referred to, reported, or used in CME/CE in support or justification of a patient care recommendation must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with requirements of the FDA, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information. Rush University Medical Center and ACHL require the speaker to disclose that a product is not labeled for the use under discussion.
Discussion of scientific information on unapproved uses (SIUU), off-label, investigational, or experimental drug/device use: nerandomilast, BMS-986278, inhaled treprostinil, TTI-101, deupirfenidone, and HZN-825.
This activity will take approximately 1.75 hours to complete. To receive credit, learners are required to complete the pretest, view the online activity, and complete the posttest and evaluation. To receive credit, 75% must be achieved on the posttest. A certificate will be immediately available. There is no fee to participate in the activity or for the generation of the certificate.
ABIM credit will be submitted to ABIM within 30 days of completion.
In support of improving patient care, Rush University Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
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Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) may participate in this educational activity and earn a certificate of completion as AAPA and AANP accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through their reciprocity agreements.
Completion of this activity, including the pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments, qualifies as a medium weight MIPS improvement activity under MACRA and can be claimed as completion of IA_PSPA 28 of an Accredited Safety or Quality Improvement Program in the Quality Payment Program. Clinicians should submit their improvement activities by attestation via the CMS Quality Payment Program website. You will receive additional information after completing the activity and receiving your certificate via email.
