Advancing practitioner knowledge in interstitial lung disease: a review of free, online resources.

Abstract

Background: Practitioner comfort with diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains low despite growing knowledge in the area. Existing educational resources that cater specifically to clinicians and are freely accessible online can provide a valuable tool to address these needs.

Objective: We aimed to catalog the current landscape of practitioner-focused ILD educational materials that are freely accessible online. We discuss the ways in which these resources can be applied to learners at varied levels of practice to address knowledge gaps identified in prior literature.

Methods: A multiphase search was employed to identify educational resources using Google Search, online medical databases, an artificial intelligence tool (ChatGPT), and a survey of Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Education Committee members. Resources that required payment for access or were not readily available were excluded. We classified each resource according to content category, ILD topics covered, and educational strategy utilized.

Results: We cataloged 33 ILD educational resources. The majority feature disease overviews on diagnosis and management in a narrative text format. The content ranges from case studies to imaging interpretation and utilizes various delivery methods, from videos to podcasts. Some resources offer learner assessments and free continuing education credits. Peer-reviewed content and clarity on update frequency were lacking.

Conclusions: This review provides a catalog of free online ILD educational resources that can supplement ILD education for non-ILD expert practitioners. These resources address identified knowledge gaps and can be utilized for self-directed learning or integration into formal training curricula.