PerFECT 2.0: A Web-Based Platform Designed to Facilitate and Support the Diagnosis of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Italy

Introduction: Timely and accurate diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is challenging, requiring specific tests including chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and limited by access to specialist centres with a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Here we describe PerFECT 2.0, an Italian web-based platform designed to create a network between tertiary centres with an MDT (hubs) and secondary centres (spokes), aiming to facilitate the diagnosis of IPF. Methods: PerFECT 2.0 went live on 1 November 2016. Spoke centres submit anonymised documentation (HRCT images, pathological samples, clinical data) for a second opinion on the potential diagnosis of IPF from a hub centre. HRCT images are quickly uploaded, with patient-identifying information automatically removed. The hub centre views documentation online (no downloads allowed), makes any further information requests, then returns their second opinion as free text. An e-learning area contains educational material and simulated training clinical cases. Metrics were collected for 2017–2019; a user survey was conducted from 30 June–31 July 2020. Results: Ten hub centres and 137 spoke centres have registered. The requests for a second opinion numbered 251 in 2017, 270 in 2018 and 265 in 2019 (overall mean 19.9 requests per month). The proportion of requests answered was 100.0% (251) in 2017, 100.0% (270) in 2018 and 97.7% (259) in 2019. The mean response time was 15.7 days. In the user survey, of nine hub responders and 19 spoke responders, 78% and 74%, respectively, reported that the platform is easy to use, and 100% and 89%, respectively, would recommend the platform to colleagues. Conclusion: The PerFECT 2.0 web-based platform has created a network that enables secondary centres to gain quick and easy access to a second opinion from a tertiary centre with an MDT through online evaluation of anonymised documentation, thereby facilitating and supporting the timely and accurate diagnosis of IPF.