Physician burnout is at a critical point. In this episode, Nicky speaks with Dr Alfred Atanda about why so many physicians are burning out and what can be done to change the trend. From personal experience to system-wide solutions, Dr Atanda shares valuable insights on improving physician well-being and building a more effective healthcare culture.

What if your medical degree could launch more than a clinical career? In this candid and compelling read, Dr Jon Edelson shares his lessons for early-career clinicians ready to think beyond the bedside and explore the business of medicine.

In this episode, we explore the future of continuing medical education (CME) with the team behind touchIME. Hannah Fisher and Matthew Goodwin share insights into global and US trends, the importance of patient inclusivity and how educational outcomes are evolving to better measure the direct impact of learning on clinical practice and patient care.

In this episode, Professor Irene Higginson, Director of Better Health and Care Futures at King’s College London, discusses the complex challenges of managing breathlessness. She explores non-pharmacological strategies, the value of multidisciplinary care, and how the Breathlessness Support Services at KCL are transforming patient support. Tune in for expert insights and a look at future directions in breathlessness research and care.

A recent phase 2 trial published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine has demonstrated that benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-5 receptor-α, can significantly reduce treatment failure in eosinophilic exacerbations of asthma and COPD.

The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG), is proud to host the 8th IPCRG Scientific Meeting in Brașov, Romania, on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 April 2025. This event, in partnership with the RespiRO team and the Transilvania University of Brașov promises to bring together researchers, innovators, and industry leaders to advance respiratory care in primary health settings.

As we observe World Lung Day, it is crucial to reflect on the escalating impact of respiratory diseases across the globe. Chronic respiratory diseases — including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and others — continue to rank among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The World Health Organization’s latest data underscores the persistence of the global respiratory crisis:

The BETTER-B study, recently presented at ERS and published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, provided new insights into the management of severe breathlessness in patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD and Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD).  Severe breathlessness is a debilitating symptom that significantly impacts the quality of life for millions of people worldwide, yet there are currently no licensed medications to effectively address it outside of Australia. Given the clinical challenges and limited treatment options, clinicians often resort to off-label use of medications like mirtazapine, a widely prescribed antidepressant that appeared promising. Despite its initial promise, the study found that doses ranging from 15 to 45 mg of mirtazapine failed to provide significant relief compared to a placebo. Additionally, the findings highlighted potential adverse effects and increased healthcare costs associated with its use. 

The European Commission has approved dupilumab (Regeneron and Sanofi)) as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by raised blood eosinophils.