For patients living with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), such as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), access to reliable and comprehensive health information is often limited. Recognising this urgent need, the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) has now launched a second topic on its Patient Portal—a digital platform designed to bridge the knowledge gap, empower patients and enhance disease management.

To learn more about this initiative, we spoke with Dr Sophie Scheire (UZ Gent, Gent, Belgium), EUFOREA’s Patient Education Manager. In this Q&A, Dr Scheire discusses the challenges of patient education, how the portal uniquely addresses CRDs and the long-term impact it aims to have on both patients and healthcare professionals.

Q. Why did EUFOREA decide to develop a Patient Portal for CRDs?

Chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, and COPD are complex diseases and often interconnected. Unfortunately, early detection is frequently delayed, and access to healthcare professionals is not equally available to everyone. Even when patients reach care, consultation time is limited, which means physicians cannot always address all questions.

At the same time, the large amount of information shared during an appointment can feel overwhelming, prompting many people to seek additional resources online. However, finding reliable information remains a major challenge. The internet is flooded with misinformation, which can lead to confusion and mistrust.

To address the major unmet need for trustworthy patient education, EUFOREA decided to bridge the knowledge gap by creating its patient portal, which now covers both CRS and asthma.

Q. Following CRS, asthma is now the second topic covered by the Patient Portal. How was the first one received by patients and healthcare professionals?

We received excellent feedback from healthcare professionals, who shared how they use the resources in their daily practice. Through our social media channels and patient advisory board, we also reached patients directly, and their feedback was equally valuable. A recurring theme was the need for more education on the role of primary care in chronic respiratory diseases. To address this, one of the new assets included in the launch of the asthma portal is the perspective of the community pharmacist and the general practitioner. Both healthcare professionals explain their role in asthma management and highlight how patients can make the most of their health journey with their support.

Q. How is the EUFOREA Patient Portal unique in comparison to other tools or websites? 

The EUFOREA Patient Portal aims to simplify complex medical concepts and present them in a way that resonates with patients. By offering evidence-based resources brought to the patient by world-leading experts, the portal can make top-notch education more accessible worldwide. Apart from informational content and videos, it also provides patients with practical guides (e.g., how to prepare for consultations, an asthma action plan, an asthma first aid leaflet) and lifestyle and prevention tips and tricks. Through our portal, we try to foster more active patient participation and empowerment.

Although many sites provide educational content, they usually focus on a single disease. Yet, patients with lower airway conditions, such as asthma, often have comorbidities in the upper airways, such as CRSwNP. Many are not even aware that these diseases may be interconnected. Our portal highlights the links between different chronic respiratory diseases, raises awareness of symptoms patients may not yet have recognised in themselves, and underscores the importance of consulting a doctor to discuss them.

Q. How will this portal impact a patient’s disease journey? 

The portal can support patients in several important ways. Firstly, it helps people who are searching for information to better connect the dots between the symptoms they are experiencing. By highlighting key symptoms and stressing the importance of seeking an official diagnosis, the portal encourages patients to take the next step and get a timely diagnosis. Our “Prepare for Your First Consultation” guide is a practical tool to help them feel confident and well-prepared for that visit.

Secondly, the portal provides background knowledge on the disease, its diagnosis, and available treatments. This not only strengthens patients’ understanding but also supports adherence and more effective communication with their physicians. Ultimately, the goal is to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for people living with chronic respiratory diseases.

Q. How will healthcare professionals benefit from this initiative? 

The portal can serve as a valuable tool for clinicians, helping them educate patients more efficiently. Providing accurate, ready-to-use resources will save time during consultations and ensure patients have a reliable source of information at their disposal and take charge of their health with a clear understanding of their care plan.

We’re excited to share that we are currently developing content for the third topic, COPD. It will be launched on the portal around the time of World COPD Day this November.

Stay tuned!