ABSTRACT
Objectives: COVID-19 has limited in-person networking opportunities worldwide. To address this, we formed a collaboration of representatives from Australia’s CFPhysio.com Inc, the UK’s Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and US specialist CF physical therapists (PT) with the objective of creating a virtual international discussion forum. To ensure wider interest, views were gathered from international CF colleagues via a self-designed online survey. Here we present survey results and planned outcomes. Methods: Survey topics included respondent demographics;professional development and research priorities;and future forum interest. The online survey circulated between Oct-Dec 2021 via social media channels, established networks and targeted emails to international physio and PT groups. Results: Eighty-four people responded - 94% physio/PTs;74% hospitalbased;equal split between paediatrics and adults;30% currently researchactive. 100% of respondents were interested in attending virtual discussion forums, with 73% keen to plan sessions. The top 3 professional development and research priorities are described in the table. (Table Presented) Conclusions: Results indicate international CF PT/physio interest in a virtual discussion forum. In response to this interest, we developed our vision "To create a virtual space for clinicians and researchers across the globe, working in CF, to learn and to collaborate and deliver on innovative and robust research into the future." Quarterly virtual discussion forums start in Spring 2022, hosted and promoted by beamfeelgood.com (a global exercise and education platform for people with CF and their clinicians). Sessions address the top professional development priorities identified from survey results and aim to facilitate discussions between colleagues to enhance clinical practice and forge future research collaborations.