Meet the 2020 Scholars

"What do you believe is the greatest unaddressed patient need in the CF community, and if you could, how would you try to fix it? Who would you partner with (e.g. public figure, organization) to help fix the issue and why?"

I believe that the CF community’s greatest unaddressed patient need is that of psychological well-being. The act of trying to fulfill career and family goals on top of physical and medical routines can be a psychological struggle, and one that is largely unaddressed. Outwardly, many people with CF look healthy, but Cystic Fibrosis is an illness that can attack both physical and psychological health. New life-prolonging medications and transplants may bring promising treatment options for those that are fighting Cystic Fibrosis, but these treatments can only help with the physical aspect of the disease. New treatments may also result in further psychological needs that should be addressed. We as a CF community must embrace the need to include our mental health as a necessary component of our well-being. To better help to eliminate the psychological barriers that may prevent patients from seeking help, it is my proposal that a psychologist or psychiatrist be included in the CF team as part of a bi-yearly visit. An organization or celebrity could help change the negative stigma that surrounds the idea of psychiatric help, but the CF team is already seen as safe and trustworthy by their patients. The addition of someone to a team who can target psychological needs, could lead to better diagnosis and better overall patient health. If this need is to be addressed properly, then professional help should be readily available, trustworthy, and familiar with the complicated aspects of a life with Cystic Fibrosis.