Bronchiectasis Patient Conference

Our Bronchiectasis Patient Conference is for people with bronchiectasis and their families and friends to hear patient-focused talks delivered by experts in the field and individuals with bronchiectasis from across Europe. Healthcare professionals who want to understand more about bronchiectasis from the patient point of view are also welcome to attend.

Get up-to-date information and news at this event which will include presentations on:

• The basics of bronchiectasis
• Bronchiectasis treatment and self-management
• Latest research into bronchiectasis
• Care for people with bronchiectasis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All the talks will be in English and participants will be able to interact through online polls and to ask questions of the experts throughout the day.

This conference has been organised by the European Respiratory Society (ERS), European Lung Foundation (ELF) and EMBARC (European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration) and members of their bronchiectasis patient advisory group.

Information about Speakers

Programme (timings are in Central European Time - check the time in your location)

10:00 Welcome: Kjeld Hansen (ELF chair) and Bridget Harris (ELF bronchiectasis patient advisory group member)

10:15 Session 1: Bronchiectasis basics

• An overview of bronchiectasis: Dr Pieter Goeminne, Belgium.
• Infections in bronchiectasis: what we know and what we are learning: Dr Michal Shteinberg, Israel.
• Q&A

11:15 Break

11:30 Session 2: Treatment and self-management

• Symptoms and treatment in bronchiectasis: fighting the vicious circle: Dr Josje Altenburg, Netherlands
• Why cough is not enough to clear my chest? & Why exercise when I feel exhausted?: Dr Arietta Spinou, United Kingdom.
• Patient experiences of treatment and self-management: Barbara Crossley and Ben Goldscheider
• Mind-body approaches for breathlessness and fatigue: Dr Anna Spathis, United Kingdom
• Q&A

13:00 Lunch break

13:45 Session 3: Research update and clinical trials

• Why I have bronchiectasis – how far should we go in evaluating possible causes of bronchiectasis?: Professor Stefano Aliberti, Italy.
• Putting the fire out - can we treat inflammation in bronchiectasis?: Professor James Chalmers, Scotland, United Kingdom.
• Q&A

14:40 Session 4: Care during COVID-19

• COVID-19 prevention and symptoms: Dr Andrea Gramegna, Italy.
• Delivering bronchiectasis care during the pandemic: Dr Felix Ringshausen, Germany.
• Q&A

15:40 Closing session

• Get involved!: ELF Bronchiectasis Patient Advisory Group members
• Closing comments

16:00 End

Please note the timings may change slightly. You are welcome to join for some or all of the sessions. The talks will also be recorded and made freely available after the event.