Digital health technologies are transforming the treatment and management of lung conditions, improving medication adherence, enhancing clinical trials and increasing accessibility to care, particularly for people in remote or underserved areas.
The European Lung Foundation (ELF) is focused on raising awareness of lung health and improving treatment and care for people living with lung conditions. The ELF strategy 2023-2026 prioritises work in digital health and strengthening resources and information for self-management.
Digital health technologies, such as smart devices and mobile apps, are playing an important role in the treatment and care of people living with lung conditions. These tools can help patients manage their conditions more effectively, including the management of prescribed medication, while also improving the efficiency of healthcare systems.
Improving asthma care with digital tools
A recent article published in The Lancet explores the role of digital tools in asthma care. Smart inhalers, mobile apps, and digital spirometers offer benefits for people living with asthma. Smart inhalers can remind users to take their medication and track usage, while mobile apps monitor symptoms and predict flare-ups. Digital spirometers can measure lung function at home, providing people with more control over their condition and reducing the need for frequent doctor visits.
The article also highlights how digital technologies are transforming asthma clinical trials. These tools enable real-time data collection, improving treatment monitoring and safety. Digital platforms can make trials more accessible, particularly for people in remote areas or those unable to attend in-person appointments. This can help recruit a range of people to clinical trials, which is especially important in low-income and rural areas, where people are often less able to join trials.
Addressing medication use and challenges in Europe
In August 2024, experts gathered at the World Adherence Forum in Brussels to discuss how digital technologies can improve how well people followed a prescribed medication plan, known as ‘adherence’. The forum brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the World Health Organization (WHO), patient groups, and healthcare professionals. Among the attendees was Kjeld Hansen, past-Chair of ELF, who said:
“The network event was exciting, because it brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss digital innovations for medication adherence and health outcomes in Europe. Digital innovations bring a new focus to healthcare discussions. Resources can be used smarter, and outcomes can be measured in meaningfulness for people living with respiratory conditions.”
In Europe, the improper use of medication has been linked to 200,000 premature deaths and €125 billion in wasted healthcare expenses each year. This issue is especially concerning for long-term conditions, where regular medication use is needed for maintaining lung health.
To address this, digital tools such as smart pill dispensers, electronic blister packs, and digital inhalers have been introduced. These devices send reminders and track medication use, resulting in better health and lower healthcare costs.
The ENABLE COST Action, funded in 2020, brought together over 250 collaborators from 40 countries to improve digital tools for managing prescribed medications. The project identified barriers and solutions to improve medication management.
ENABLE’s final report was presented at the World Adherence Forum, where the findings were discussed. New recommendations were developed designed to improve health, reduce healthcare costs and support the sustainability of healthcare systems across Europe. Recommendations included:
The CONNECT CRC
The CONNECT Clinical Research Collaboration (CRC), launched by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) in 2023, focuses on advancing digital health solutions for lung health. Its mission is to improve patient management through remote monitoring and tailored support, enabling clinicians to optimise care and health systems to respond proactively. By building a network for knowledge exchange and creating a European-wide database of digital technologies, CONNECT aims to streamline the implementation of digital health across borders.
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