Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41314657›Full record

ArticleBMJ open respiratory research2025

Living with pulmonary fibrosis: how affected people experience disease-related information, health services and self-management strategies.

Thomas F Riegler, Thimo Marcin, Markus Wirz, Patrick Brun, Milo A Puhan, Sabina Guler, Anja Frei

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open respiratory research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Thomas F RieglerZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Physiotherapy, Winterthur, Switzerland thomas.riegler@zhaw.ch.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6213-239X
Thimo MarcinCenter for Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Inselspital and Berner Reha Zentrum, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Heiligenschwendi, Switzerland.
Markus WirzZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Physiotherapy, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Patrick BrunCenter for Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Inselspital and Berner Reha Zentrum, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Heiligenschwendi, Switzerland.
Milo A PuhanInstitute of Epidemiology Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Sabina GulerDepartment for Pulmonary Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9833-5911
Anja FreiInstitute of Epidemiology Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPeople with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) experience gaps in care, educational resources and self-management strategies throughout their journey. We sought to identify gaps in care and information, determine essential information, examine sources of information and assess preferred modes of delivery for patient education and self-management (PESM) resources and interventions.

methodsIn this qualitative study, we conducted interviews with people with PF using predefined, literature-based categories ("staying well with PF", "keeping fit & strong with PF", "using oxygen therapy", symptom management "breathlessness", "cough", "fatigue", "anxiety, depression and panic") and categories derived from own experience ("sources of information", "preferred modes of education delivery"). Interviews were analysed using deductive-inductive content analysis.

resultsWe interviewed 11 individuals with PF (one woman), median age of 73 years (range 52-80) and time since diagnosis ranging from 1 to 10 years. Interviews lasted 40-70 min. A priori-defined saturation was reached for each predefined topic. Patients with PF relied on healthcare professionals (HCPs) as their primary information source. However, for sensitive topics such as life expectancy, death or when time with HCPs was limited, they often turned to internet searches with little success. There was a need for guidance on managing antifibrotic side effects, including adaptation of nutrition. While exercise was valued, it lacked structure, particularly at home. Self-management strategies for cough and fatigue remained insufficient. Digital resources were considered beneficial but maintaining in-person interactions with HCPs is essential.

conclusionThis in-depth analysis highlights how people with PF comprehend patient education content and which taught or self-acquired self-management techniques they implement in their lives, including beliefs and concerns. These insights are essential for refining current and future PESM programmes and support the creation of blended learning and digital resources, with HCPs offering guidance on their use, to further support people with PF in self-management.

Indexed as

Patient Education as TopicPulmonary FibrosisSelf-ManagementAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchSelf CareIdiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisInterstitial Fibrosis

Identifiers

PMID41314657
PMCPMC12666047

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.