Self-management for pulmonary fibrosis: Insights from people living with the disease and healthcare professionals

People with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) consider self-management essential for maintaining health. This study aims to explore the needs and expectations of PF self-management from the patient and healthcare professionals (HCPs) perspectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with PF and HCPs. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Thematic analysis was performed using the principles of grounded theory. 18 individuals with PF and 15 HCPs were interviewed. Common self-management components reported included exercise, nutrition, maintaining healthy mind, avoiding infections, recognising deterioration and seeking help, managing symptoms and treatments, social support, and end-of-life planning. Both groups felt that effective self-management required individualised strategies, supports, and reliable information. People with PF identified access to personal health data and self-acceptance as part of self-management. HCPs highlighted the importance of accessible supports and managing patient expectations of disease course and treatments. Some HCPs concerned about missed detection of deterioration and suggested that self-management strategies for PF may differ to other lung diseases. This study identified components important for self-management in PF and provides a basis for designing a PF self-management package. Practice implications: Self-management of PF can be facilitated with individualised support from HCPs and reliable information that is accessible.