Primary care practitioners are fundamental to addressing today’s global health burden – this is especially true in relation to the important role they can and do play in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, patient engagement, supported self-management, treatment and palliation of people with chronic lung disease.
Access to primary healthcare continues to be dramatically varied throughout Europe, and some countries do not optimise the potential of primary care as a cost effective and highly appropriate way to address respiratory disease. Now, more than ever, there is a need for primary care systems to be developed and practitioners supported so they are equipped to deal with highly prevalent respiratory diseases.
As in previous years, we have a dedicated primary care day at this year’s Congress, with sessions designed to address the latest issues and developments in this area – allowing the primary care community to focus on and discuss the challenges they face and the solutions moving forward.