The need to research persistent breathlessness

Overview

Taking place on 16 May, this ERS Vision Live panel discussion focused on the need for persistent breathlessness to be a research priority.

The expert panellists will discussed key areas, including:
• the epidemiology of persistent breathlessness,
• mechanisms of persistent breathlessness perception,
• and implementation of evidence-base for non-pharmacological interventions for persistent breathlessness.

Chairs

Prof. Thomas Similowski

• Thomas Similowski is the head of the respiratory, critical care, pulmonary rehabilitation, and sleep medicine at la Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, Paris, France
• He is also the director of the INSERM-Sorbonne Université UMRS 1158 research unit, devoted to the study of the relationships between the respiratory system and the nervous system
• He has a particular interest in dyspnea, envisioned from the physiological, clinical, and sociological point of view

Prof. Miriam Johnson

• Miriam Johnson is Professor of Palliative Medicine at Hull York Medical School, Director of the Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre at the University of Hull, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
• Her interests include mechanisms and management of breathlessness, and access to palliative care for people with non-malignant conditions.

Speakers

Prof. David Currow 

• David Currow is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Health and Sustainable Futures) at The University of Wollongong.
• He is the former Chief Cancer Officer, New South Wales and the Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Institute, NSW, the state’s cancer control agency. The agency responsible for prevention, screening, improved cancer services, and funding of research infrastructure.
• Before this, David was the foundation Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Australia, the Australian Government’s cancer control agency.

Dr. Kyle Pattinson 

• Kyle Pattinson is the Principal Investigator for Breathe Oxford, Consultant Anaesthetist and Associate Professor in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
• His work has led him to research a range of medical areas from subarachnoid haemorrhage to breathlessness.
• He now focuses on now focuses on investigating the mechanisms of respiratory control, and the mechanisms underlying our perception of breathlessness, particularly focusing on the influence of past experiences, expectations and emotions.

Dr. Matthew Maddocks 

• Matthew is a physiotherapist and Reader in Health Services Research at the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King’s College London.
• He has held UK National Institute for Health and Care Research post-doctoral, clinical trials and career development fellowships and in 2021 was awarded the ERS Mid-Career Gold Medal for Allied Health Professionals.
• His research covers respiratory, rehabilitation and palliative care, and his work includes studies on age-related syndromes, functional decline, symptom management and novel exercise interventions.