When the World Bronchiectasis Conference (WBC) came to Brisbane in July, there was a palpable sense of excitement. For the first time, consumers were not only attending — they were embedded in the program. Members of Lung Foundation Australia’s Bronchiectasis Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) helped design the consumer sessions, spoke alongside leading clinicians, and brought their lived experience to the heart of the scientific conversation.
This shift was felt throughout the conference.
“There was huge excitement around WBC 2025. For the first time, there was a consumer element embedded in the program. As part of the Consumer Advisory Committee, it was really inspiring to be involved in putting together the consumer program and seeing a patient perspective informing the agenda.” — Lynn, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
The patient representative experience was further enhanced by full access to the scientific program, with the opening address by Associate Professor Lucy Burr, Professor Lucy Morgan, and Professor Rachel Thomson setting the tone for a remarkable four days.
Integration: voices embedded in the program
Integration was not symbolic — it was real and visible. Consumers described seeing their peers seek out meaningful dialogue with researchers.
“Twice, as I was coming out of a session, I saw Grant, the Chair of the CAC, button-holing one of the speakers and them being happy to engage in a meaningful conversation with him. One result of Grant’s initiative was that two excellent researchers came along to the session ‘Patient Engagement with Researchers’ and engaged in informative and productive dialogue with us.” — Richard, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
That openness also allowed new perspectives to enter scientific discussions. At one session, a consumer raised a question about the gut biome and antibiotic therapy. The researcher’s reply underscored how important it is for patients to share these concerns with their treating doctors — but it also highlighted the gap when no clinicians were present to hear the exchange. Consumers noticed both the promise and the opportunities still to be seized.
“I spoke with a specialist who was insightful and listened to what we had to say. I wish more doctors and specialists could hear the patient’s side.” — Tonee, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
Diversity: a global community of perspectives
WBC 2025 also stood out for its breadth of representation.
“I enjoyed hearing from researchers from other countries, particularly those from south and east Asia, and from First Nations people from Australia and New Zealand. It was interesting, but distressing also, to hear how bronchiectasis is such a problem amongst Aboriginal children in remote communities.” — Richard, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
Another participant observed that allied health was strongly represented, with valuable insights into airway clearance and nutrition. Others emphasised how diversity and inclusion were embraced across the program — through different regions, age groups, and cultural backgrounds — and how these voices called attention to the realities of living with bronchiectasis.
“I benefitted from hearing about the difficulties associated with treating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as those living in remote regions. Patient stories and lived experiences remind us that when diagnoses are made and care given, we must always remember to treat the person holistically, not just the disease.”— Lorie, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
“The first thing that struck me was the number of people from different nations and the size of the venue required. I felt very excited and so happy to be attending such a diverse conference.” — Tonee, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
The generosity of the scientific community also struck a chord. Between formal sessions, researchers made themselves available, often joining consumer discussions to share updates and answer questions. Live streaming of consumer sessions ensured that voices carried beyond Brisbane, connecting to people around the world.
Inclusion: creating space to be heard
Most importantly, consumers felt welcomed, respected, and valued.
“On a break on the first day, I got talking to a respiratory physician from Perth and then ran into him two more times during the conference. He was willing and interested to talk to me as a patient representative and we had a good discussion about the implications of a research poster about reflux treatment and bronchiectasis.” – Richard, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
The hope now is that such openness becomes standard.
“That all clinicians and researchers attending scientific medical conferences will be open to meaningful discussion, both in formal sessions but also informally, with patients attending the conferences.”— Richard, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
This sense of inclusion was also felt in the connections between consumers.
“Meeting John Torrence, a consumer speaker at WBC was truly special. My own health struggles seemed small in comparison, but he reminded me that every person’s story has the same value and deserves to be heard. His generosity and commitment to raising awareness of bronchiectasis left a lasting impression on me.”— Gabi, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
Looking forward
As the conference closed, consumers carried home not just notebooks full of research and contacts, but also the conviction that their voices belong at the centre of bronchiectasis care and research.
“I was given hope for the future, new medications being developed, and so many medical people devoting their lives to bronchiectasis and NTM.” — Tonee, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
“It was surprising how warmly the scientific community embraced patient perspectives as integral to shaping future research. Future conferences with consumer engagement can only strengthen these ties.” — Lynn, Bronchiectasis CAC Member.
WBC 2025 was more than a scientific meeting — it was proof that integration, diversity, and inclusion are not ideals but practices, lived out through conversations, collaborations, and mutual respect. Consumers, clinicians and researchers alike left Brisbane with a shared sense of purpose: to carry this momentum forward, ensuring that every advance in bronchiectasis is made together.
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