GoTo Telemed, the nation's leading integrated telehealth ecosystem serving over 10 million patients nationwide, today announced the launch of its dedicated Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)Program, a comprehensive virtual care service designed to address the complex needs of patients with fibrotic and inflammatory lung diseases through evidence-based remote monitoring, telerehabilitation, and multidisciplinary specialist consultation. Delivered by a network of pulmonologists, ILD specialists, respiratory therapists, and rehabilitation professionals, this program brings expert, coordinated care to individuals living with these progressive and often debilitating conditions.

Interstitial lung diseases encompass a diverse group of parenchymal lung disorders characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis, leading to progressive breathlessness, impaired quality of life, and reduced life expectancy . Patients with ILD can experience sudden worsening of their condition—known as acute exacerbations—which are associated with inappropriate hospital admissions, significant healthcare costs, impaired quality of life, and high mortality . Standard care typically involves hospital outpatient visits every 3-6 months to monitor disease and assess treatment response, but geographic barriers, limited access to ILD specialists, and the burden of frequent travel often compromise optimal management .

"Interstitial lung disease presents one of the greatest challenges in respiratory medicine—progressive, unpredictable, and requiring specialized expertise that is often concentrated in academic centers far from patients' homes," said a GoTo Telemed spokesperson. "Our ILD Program fundamentally reimagines care delivery for these vulnerable patients. Through weekly home spirometry, continuous pulse oximetry monitoring, virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, and access to multidisciplinary specialist consultation, we are bringing the expertise of leading ILD centers directly to patients' living rooms. This is how we detect progression earlier, prevent acute exacerbations, and help patients maintain the highest possible quality of life while minimizing the burden of travel to distant specialty centers."

Evidence-Based Remote Monitoring Platform

The program leverages the latest advances in home-based monitoring technology, supported by growing evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in ILD management. A 2025 study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress evaluated remote monitoring in 10 patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-associated ILD using home spirometry integrated with a mobile health application. The study found 77% adherence with weekly parameters reported, and the ILD team identified two patients with worsening symptoms and a >10% drop in forced vital capacity (FVC) requiring further evaluation—enabling earlier intervention than traditional 6-month clinic-based testing would have allowed .

Monitoring Component Key Function Clinical Evidence
Home Spirometry Weekly FVC and FEV1 measurements using Bluetooth-enabled portable devices (Spirobank Smart, MIR SmartONE) with integrated mobile app Strong correlation with clinic measurements (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) across ILD, COPD, and asthma cohorts; weekly adherence >75% sustained over 52 weeks in INMARK trial
Pulse Oximetry Continuous or scheduled SpO2 monitoring to detect hypoxemia and guide supplemental oxygen therapy Enables early identification of desaturation during activity, a key predictor of disease progression
Symptom Tracking Visual Analogue Scales for breathlessness and cough, King's Brief ILD (KBILD) quality of life questionnaire Patient-reported measures correlate with physiological status and enable holistic monitoring
Wearable Integration Continuous tracking of respiratory rate, heart rate, and physical activity via compatible wearables Provides real-time data on functional status and early detection of deterioration
Home Spirometry: The Cornerstone of Remote ILD Monitoring

Home spirometry has emerged as a critical tool for ILD management, enabling frequent lung function assessment that was previously limited to occasional clinic visits. A meta-analysis of 28 studies, including 17 with Bland–Altman analyses, reported that home spirometry produces results that, while slightly lower than supervised clinic measurements, are clinically acceptable when standardized training and calibration procedures are implemented. Mean differences were −107 mL for FEV1 and −184 mL for FVC, with strong correlations across multiple respiratory conditions .

Critical evidence supporting home spirometry in ILD includes:

INMARK Trial: In 346 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with nintedanib, mean weekly adherence to home spirometry remained above 75% in each 4-week period over 52 weeks, demonstrating sustained feasibility .

Systemic Sclerosis-ILD: A study of 43 patients with systemic sclerosis-associated ILD showed median adherence of 85% over 12 months of home spirometry monitoring .

Multi-Center Observational Study: A UK-based study (n=186 patients) funded by NHS Digital is evaluating whether home monitoring can achieve a 50% reduction in routine laboratory-based pulmonary function tests and in-person clinic consultations .

Telerehabilitation for Pulmonary Fibrosis

The program includes structured telerehabilitation services, recognizing that pulmonary rehabilitation is a cornerstone of ILD management with demonstrated benefits for exercise capacity and quality of life. A feasibility study published in Studies in Health Technology and Informatics evaluated ILD patients' experiences with a telerehabilitation system for home-based pulmonary rehabilitation. Eight participants completed tasks using the system, followed by heuristic evaluation and semi-structured interviews. Results revealed that participants rated the system highly for visibility, language consistency, and control, with minimal confusion or errors reported. Thematic analysis revealed high acceptance and usability, indicating telerehabilitation's potential for improving pulmonary rehabilitation access in ILD patients .

The 2026 Chinese Chronic Respiratory Disease Rehabilitation Guideline specifically identifies ILD as a target condition for pulmonary rehabilitation, noting that comprehensive interventions including exercise training, patient education, nutritional support, and psychological support can improve dyspnea, exercise tolerance, and quality of life . The guideline emphasizes that remote rehabilitation models can address barriers to access, particularly for patients in underserved areas.

Multidisciplinary Virtual Care Coordination

A cornerstone of the ILD Program is access to multidisciplinary specialist consultation, recognized as the gold standard for ILD diagnosis and management. The MILDDER (Multidisciplinary Interstitial Lung Disease Discussion with Experts Remotely) program, developed at Toronto General Hospital, provides a validated model for virtual ILD care. In a retrospective observational study of the videoconferencing MDD platform involving 317 participants, key findings included:

New or changed ILD diagnoses occurred in 86 (50.6%) presented cases

New investigation requests occurred in 40 (22.7%) cases

New medications were recommended for 30 (17%) cases

Physician confidence in ILD management increased by a median of 3 to 4 points after participation .

A Spanish study of online multidisciplinary discussions between a general hospital and an ILD expert unit found that only 25% of patients discussed merited referral to the specialized unit—preventing overload of expert centers and allowing patients to be managed in their own area hospitals according to expert recommendations. The most frequent diagnosis referred was IPF to prioritize anti-fibrotic treatment .

Comprehensive Program Services

Service Component Description and Clinical Application
Remote Spirometry Monitoring Weekly FVC and FEV1 measurements using FDA-cleared, Bluetooth-enabled portable spirometers. Data transmitted automatically to GoTo Telemed's secure platform with automated alerts for clinically significant declines (>10% FVC drop) requiring urgent review .
Continuous Pulse Oximetry Home-based SpO2 monitoring with integration of activity-related desaturation patterns. Early identification of oxygen needs and titration guidance .
Symptom and Quality of Life Tracking Weekly patient-reported outcomes including breathlessness VAS, cough VAS, and KBILD questionnaire. Longitudinal tracking enables holistic assessment of treatment response .
Telerehabilitation Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation sessions with respiratory therapists and physical therapists, including exercise demonstration, safety monitoring, and progression guidance. Home exercise programs with video instruction and wearable activity tracking .
Multidisciplinary Case Review Regular virtual MDD sessions with pulmonologists, ILD specialists, thoracic radiologists, and rheumatologists (for CTD-ILD). Diagnostic refinement, treatment planning, and referral prioritization .
Anti-Fibrotic Therapy Management Expert oversight of nintedanib and pirfenidone, including monitoring for side effects, adherence support, and coordination of specialty pharmacy services. Weekly home spirometry enables objective assessment of treatment response .
Oxygen Therapy Coordination Assessment of oxygen needs based on home oximetry data, prescription of ambulatory and nocturnal oxygen, and coordination with durable medical equipment providers.
Patient and Caregiver Education Access to ILD-specific educational resources, including the American Lung Association's "Learning to Live with Pulmonary Fibrosis Workbook" and digital peer support communities .
Peer Support Connection Referral to virtual support communities including the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation's online community and the American Lung Association's Patient & Caregiver Network .
Specialized Care Across ILD Subtypes

The program provides tailored care for the full spectrum of interstitial lung diseases:

ILD Subtype Specific Considerations
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Anti-fibrotic therapy (nintedanib, pirfenidone) management; home spirometry monitoring for progression; palliative care integration; lung transplant referral coordination when indicated .
Connective Tissue Disease-Associated ILD (CTD-ILD) Coordination with rheumatology for immunosuppressive therapy; monitoring for extrapulmonary manifestations; management of overlapping autoimmune features .
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Antigen avoidance counseling; home environment assessment; immunosuppressive therapy management .
Sarcoidosis Monitoring of pulmonary and extrapulmonary involvement; corticosteroid and steroid-sparing agent management .
Unclassifiable ILD Multidisciplinary case review for diagnostic refinement; empiric therapy guidance; ongoing monitoring .
Clinical Evidence Supporting Telehealth in ILD

The program is grounded in a growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of telehealth interventions for ILD:

Early Detection of Progression: Home spirometry identified clinically significant FVC decline in two of ten SARD-ILD patients, enabling earlier intervention than 6-month clinic testing .

High Patient Acceptance: Feasibility studies of telerehabilitation in ILD patients demonstrate high acceptance, usability, and confidence in managing their condition using digital platforms .

Real-World Implementation: A UK multicenter observational study (n=186) is evaluating whether home monitoring can safely reduce in-person clinic visits by 50% while maintaining or improving outcomes .

Expert Consensus: A 2026 systematic review confirms that telemonitoring in respiratory diseases, including ILD, facilitates early detection of clinical deterioration, personalized interventions, and improved self-management .

Integration Within GoTo Telemed's Comprehensive Ecosystem

The ILD Program operates as a fully integrated component of GoTo Telemed's unified telehealth platform:

Unified Health Record: All spirometry data, oximetry readings, symptom scores, and consultation documentation are incorporated into the patient's lifetime electronic health record, accessible to all authorized providers across the care continuum.

Automated Alert System: The platform generates automated alerts for clinically significant FVC decline (>10%), desaturation during activity, worsening symptom scores, or missed monitoring sessions, enabling proactive clinical intervention.

Seamless Care Coordination: When patients require additional services—such as rheumatology consultation for CTD-ILD, lung transplant evaluation, or specialty palliative care—the platform facilitates warm handoffs to appropriate specialists within GoTo Telemed's integrated network.

Patient Portal and Mobile Access: Patients access their personalized monitoring schedules, educational resources, telerehabilitation sessions, and secure messaging through GoTo Telemed's patient portal and mobile application.

Provider Dashboard: Clinicians access a centralized dashboard displaying longitudinal FVC trends, oximetry patterns, symptom trajectories, and adherence metrics, enabling data-driven clinical decisions during virtual consultations.

Addressing Critical Gaps in ILD Care

The Interstitial Lung Disease Program directly confronts persistent challenges in respiratory care:

Specialist Access: ILD expertise is concentrated in academic medical centers, leaving patients in rural and underserved communities without access to specialized care. Telehealth eliminates geographic barriers, connecting patients with ILD specialists regardless of location .

Delayed Progression Detection: Standard 6-month clinic testing may miss clinically significant decline occurring between visits. Weekly home spirometry enables earlier identification of progression and timely treatment adjustment .

Rehabilitation Access: Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are unavailable in many communities, and travel to available programs is burdensome for patients with significant dyspnea. Telerehabilitation brings these services directly to patients' homes .

Care Fragmentation: ILD patients often receive fragmented care from pulmonologists, rheumatologists, radiologists, and other specialists. Virtual multidisciplinary discussion ensures coordinated, expert-guided care .

Patient and Caregiver Burden: Frequent travel to distant specialty centers imposes physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Remote monitoring and virtual consultations minimize travel while maintaining high-quality care .

Health Disparities: Individuals from marginalized communities face higher barriers to accessing specialized ILD care. Telehealth accessibility and culturally competent providers help address these disparities.

A Transformative Opportunity for ILD Specialists

For pulmonologists, ILD specialists, rheumatologists, and respiratory therapists, GoTo Telemed's ILD Program offers a meaningful practice opportunity:

Focus on High-Impact Work: Providers apply their expertise to a population where specialized care dramatically improves outcomes, slows progression, and enhances quality of life.

Flexible Practice Model: Clinicians maintain complete autonomy over their schedules, practicing as little or as much as desired while serving a nationwide population of patients with ILD.

Complete Practice Support: GoTo Telemed provides full malpractice insurance coverage, comprehensive billing and coding support for pulmonary and telehealth services, and immediate access to a growing population of patients seeking ILD expertise.

Professional Independence: Providers build their practice within GoTo Telemed's supportive ecosystem while maintaining clinical autonomy and professional decision-making authority.

No Administrative Burden: The platform handles all credentialing, scheduling, billing, and documentation, allowing clinicians to focus entirely on clinical care.

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

The ILD Program operates within GoTo Telemed's rigorous compliance framework, aligned with professional guidelines from the American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, and international ILD consensus statements :

State-Specific Licensure Management: Verification of active, unrestricted licenses in all states where care is delivered, with support for interstate licensure compacts

Evidence-Based Practice Standards: Adherence to current clinical practice guidelines for ILD diagnosis and management

Remote Monitoring Compliance: Rigorous adherence to coding and documentation requirements for remote patient monitoring services

Device Integration Standards: Secure, HIPAA-compliant integration with FDA-cleared spirometry and oximetry devices

Quality Monitoring: Ongoing peer review, competency assessments, and patient outcome tracking ensuring maintenance of highest care standards

Availability and Partnerships

GoTo Telemed's Interstitial Lung Disease Program is available immediately to patients nationwide through the GoTo Telemed platform and mobile application. Patients may enroll directly or be referred by their pulmonologist, primary care provider, or rheumatologist.

Pulmonologists, ILD specialists, rheumatologists, and respiratory therapists interested in joining GoTo Telemed's provider network are invited to apply through the company's credentialing portal.

GoTo Telemed is actively forming strategic partnerships with:

Pulmonary and ILD specialty practices

Academic medical centers and ILD research programs

Rheumatology practices for CTD-ILD coordination

Pulmonary rehabilitation centers and telerehabilitation programs

Health plans and Medicare Advantage organizations

Patient advocacy organizations including the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and American Lung Association

Home oxygen and durable medical equipment providers


Media Contact:
GoTo Telemed Media Relations
[email protected]
(660) 628-1660
www.gototelemed.com