Bridging Specialties®: ILD Clinician Toolkit

Shorten the time to diagnosis by using the right tools

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are often overlooked as a potential diagnosis. Patients can present with ubiquitous symptoms that are common in many other diseases, including asthma, COPD, and cardiac conditions.

That’s why our ILD Clinician Toolkit contains specific resources focused on the steps to take when a patient displays signs of ILD. From an ILD-specific patient questionnaire you can download and use in your practice, to a decision-making tool that walks you through three patient scenarios, and much more, this ILD Clinician Toolkit can help you reach an earlier diagnosis and start treatment for your patients more quickly—since time lost is lung lost.

USING THE TOOLKIT

Expert clinicians from the Bridging Specialties steering committee walk through each resource available in the toolkit and outline how you can best utilize these tools in your practice.

CLASSIC SYMPTOM | In the Early Detection for ILD module you’ll find in the toolkit, we review common symptoms of ILD, including crackles on auscultation. It’s important to listen at the bottom of the lungs, as this is where the crackles are most commonly heard.
Here’s what crackles can sound like.

CME/CE CREDIT OPPORTUNITY By engaging with the content in this toolkit, you can claim up to 3.5 hours of CME/MOC/CE credit. CREDIT INFORMATION »

ILD-specific questionnaire

Get the background you need to decide on a plan of action

ILD DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST


This ILD checklist highlights recommended steps to take after other lung and cardiac diseases have been ruled out, including symptoms to look for, imaging tests to order, and more. Key clinical findings and diagnostic tests for the various types of ILD are also included. The checklist is available as a reference sheet and as a larger poster size for displaying in a clinic setting.

DOWNLOAD ILD CHECKLIST » | DOWNLOAD ILD POSTER »

PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE


This downloadable and printable ILD-specific questionnaire will help you gather a detailed history about your patients, including their past and current medications, surgeries, occupational and environmental exposures, and known comorbidities.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF »

Self-paced learning to keep you on the leading edge of patient care

Screens from Early Detection for ILD module

Experience a sample of the Early Detection module.
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EARLY DETECTION FOR ILD MODULE


ONLINE COURSE | APPROX. 15 MIN

Primary care physicians are often the first line of ILD identification. This interactive e-learning module will enhance your recognition and awareness of signs and symptoms of ILD so that you’re able to help improve the time to diagnosis for your patients.

Review reasons for delayed ILD diagnosis, symptoms to watch and listen for (like crackles on auscultation), suggested patient workups, and recommendations on proactive steps to take, including when you may want to refer to a pulmonologist.

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Screens from Early Detection for ILD module

Experience a sample of the Early Detection module.
ACCESS A PREVIEW »

Decision-making tool screens

Experience a sample of the Decision-Making Tool module.
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DECISION-MAKING TOOL MODULE


ONLINE COURSE | APPROX. 15 MIN

Meet Harry, Michael, and Layla—three patients presenting with differing signs and symptoms that could be indicative of ILDs. In these interactive scenarios, you’ll conduct a simulated visit with each patient and choose which actions to take, including completing a physical exam, ordering testing, referring to a pulmonologist, or providing treatment.

SIGN IN TO ACCESS

New to CHEST? It’s easy to create a free account »

Decision-making tool screens

Experience a sample of the Decision-Making Tool module.
ACCESS A PREVIEW »

older gentleman

Experience the patient journey to an ILD diagnosis

Navigating the diagnosis of a rare disease can be challenging for everyone involved. In this interactive story, you’ll meet Albert, a retired construction engineer in his 70s, and understand his journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a type of ILD.

START THE STORY »

Provide feedback on the Bridging Specialties toolkit

As we continue to add content and features, we'd love your thoughts on this collection of ILD diagnosis resources—your feedback would be incredibly useful.

TAKE THE SURVEY »

Stay informed with additional resources from CHEST

PATIENT EDUCATION

ILD Patient Guide

Help your patients understand their disease with our downloadable guide, including special sections on oxygen therapy and suggested questions to answer ahead of a health care appointment.


CHEST GUIDELINE

Diagnosis and Evaluation of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

This CHEST guideline and expert panel report provides evidence-based and consensus-derived guidance for clinicians to improve individual diagnostic decision-making for hypersensitivity pneumonitis and decrease diagnostic practice variability.


CHEST NETWORKS

Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network

Connect with other clinicians who focus on ILDs through our special interest groups, known as Networks, available to CHEST members. As part of this Network, you can help develop educational sessions, stay informed with exclusive newsletter updates, and much more.


CHEST JOURNAL

Recently Published ILD Articles

The journal CHEST® features the best in peer-reviewed, cutting-edge original research in ILD.


Expand your understanding of the ILD diagnosis gap

Our toolkit is just one component of the Bridging Specialties®: Timely Diagnosis for ILD initiative, aimed at closing the diagnosis gap for patients with ILDs like pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Learn more about the initiative, access a white paper on factors driving delays in idiopathic PF, and listen to a podcast on overcoming barriers in diagnosis.

TIMELY DIAGNOSIS FOR ILD »

Get the latest updates straight to your inbox

Want to keep up to date on Bridging Specialties: Timely Diagnosis for ILD? Sign up, and be the first to know about additional tools and resources to identify high-risk patients with ILDs—all with the goal of improving patient care and quality of life.

CME/MOC/CE Claim Instructions

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