The Breath project (Project Number: 2022-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000089283) has been Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Neither the European Union nor the entity providing the grant can be held responsible for them.
The BREATH: Improving Rehabilitation and Quality of Life for Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases conference, which took place on May 22, 2025, was attended by a total of 51 people, including healthcare professionals, researchers, patient representatives, students and public health experts. All key project results were successfully presented, marking an important milestone for the completion of this international initiative.
The event was organized in 5 phases:
Conference ceremony
Presentation of the results of the BREATH project
Panel: Global and national challenges in the management of chronic respiratory diseases (40 min)
Interactive workshop
Conclusions and recommendations for the future
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the organizing team, who emphasized the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to the rehabilitation of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The central part of the event was a comprehensive presentation of the results of the BREATH project. Members of the project team presented the newly developed rehabilitation programs, which are based on current clinical guidelines and tailored to the different needs of patients. They also presented a database of best practice, listing key national and international examples that can support both clinical practice and policy. Of particular interest was the innovative e-learning platform designed to promote the continuous professional development of healthcare professionals and to inform and support patients in managing their own recovery process.
This was followed by a panel discussion involving five speakers from different fields: a doctor, a physiotherapist, a nurse, a patient and a student. Moderated by a project representative, the discussion focused on the global and national challenges in dealing with CRD. Key topics included epidemiological trends in Croatia, the EU and worldwide, the effectiveness of national strategies, the role of rehabilitation in the treatment of CRD and the competencies of healthcare professionals. The exchange of experiences provided valuable insights into the current status and future needs of the healthcare system.
In an interactive workshop, participants were able to take part in a practical demonstration of spirometry. The session included a live presentation of the device as well as explanations of its clinical use and its importance in assessing respiratory function. Participants had the opportunity to try out the device and ask practical questions for their daily work.
