Four patient-centred studio sessions are taking place during the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress 2026, bringing together patients, clinicians and researchers to explore critical issues in lung health. The sessions are hosted through the lens of this year’s congress theme: United for better breathing: partnership between patients, clinicians and researchers.
The studio sessions, broadcast live from the Congress, create interactive spaces for meaningful dialogue between patient representatives and healthcare professionals.
Each session addresses a different dimension of patient-centred care, reflecting the theme’s three key focus areas: co-creating care, listening to unmet needs and advancing science through collaboration.
The first studio session on Sunday 6 September examined the physical, emotional and social factors that shape life with lung disease. “Holistic conversations in lung disease: addressing physical, emotional and social factors” brought together patient advocates and clinicians to discuss how lung health care can move beyond symptom management to address the full spectrum of patient needs. It was moderated by patient advocate Tom Bermingham (ELF Aspergillosis Patient Advisory Group). Panellists included clinical exercise physiologist Ciara McCormack, Dr Ingeborg Farver-Vestergaard, a psychologist from Denmark and ELF Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Advisory Group member, Eleni Stamouli.
The session highlighted how chronic lung diseases extend beyond physical symptoms, profoundly affecting emotional wellbeing, social interactions and daily life. Panellists described how breathlessness creates a cycle of fear and inactivity that worsens both physical and mental health, calling for holistic care to become standard practice rather than the exception.
View session in the ERS Congress programme
On Monday 7 September, the session “Meaningful patient involvement in research” explored how patients can contribute to shaping research priorities, study design and outcomes from the earliest stages. Patient representatives shared experiences of working alongside research teams, demonstrating how lived experience complements scientific expertise to produce more relevant and impactful research. The session was moderated by Michaela Odemyr (Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association). Speakers included patient engagement specialists, Charlotta Norgaard, former ELF chair Kjeld Hansen, researcher Susanne Vijverberg, and Professor James Chalmers (EMBARC).
The session distinguished co-creation from consultation, emphasising that patients should shape research decisions from inception rather than validate pre-made plans. Examples from bronchiectasis and severe asthma research showed how patient input reshapes study design and treatment protocols, such as patients preferring longer but less frequent hospital visits. Speakers called for fair compensation for patient expertise, researcher training in engagement methods, and early involvement of diverse patient groups to improve research quality and outcomes.
View session in the ERS Congress programme
Upcoming sessions
Tuesday 8 September will see an in-depth discussion on the wider determinants of lung health. “Breathing easy: addressing air, housing and poverty in patient care” will examine how environmental and socioeconomic factors create barriers to lung health that extend beyond the clinic.
The session is chaired by patient representative Carlos Pons (Respiralia Foundation). Speakers include Agnes Boots (Associate Professor), Dr Ian Sinha (Respiratory Consultant), and patient representative Stefan Radut (TB Europe Coalition).
View session in the ERS Congress programme
The final studio session on Wednesday 9 September will tackle a topic often left unspoken: “Invisible burdens: the stigma of lung conditions”. Patients will share experiences of stigma related to smoking-associated diseases, visible symptoms like coughing or breathlessness and misconceptions about lung conditions in general. The panel will include Ron Flewett (ELF Patient Advisory Group member), Inez de Kruijf-Carter (KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation), Professor Dr Raquel Duarte (Pulmonologist and Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health) and Angeliki Souri (Lung Cancer Europe and FairLife Lung Cancer Care).
View session in the ERS Congress programme
Partnerships at the heart of the Congress
The ERS Congress 2026 theme reflects a strategic commitment by both ERS and the European Lung Foundation (ELF) to strengthen patient and professional partnerships across all aspects of lung health. Patient representatives contributed to shaping the Congress programme from its earliest stages, suggesting session ideas, co-chairing discussions and ensuring patient priorities are embedded throughout.
The four studio sessions represent just one element of the enhanced patient presence at this year’s Congress, which includes more than 32 sessions co-chaired by patient representatives, 47 sessions featuring patients and carers as speakers, and 12 sessions with pre-recorded patient stories.
