Publication date: 

31 Dec 2016

Ref: 

Breathe (Sheff). 2016 Dec;12(4):e113-e114.

Author(s): 

Spruit MA, Burtin C, Langer D, Makonga J, Russell AM, York J, Steenbruggen I

Publication type: 

Article

Abstract: 

Allied respiratory professionals are very important in daily clinical practice. Respiratory function technologists provide doctors with valid lung function test results to enable an accurate diagnosis and long-term monitoring. Moreover, physical fitness testing (i.e. cardiopulmonary exercise testing, functional exercise tests, and respiratory and peripheral muscle strength testing), and the initiation and ongoing support of nonpharmacological therapies (i.e. pulmonary rehabilitation, physiotherapy, collaborative self-management, etc.) are mostly done by respiratory function technologists, physiotherapists, nurses or a combination thereof. Therefore, allied respiratory professionals have joined forces in ERS Assembly 9. This Assembly is specifically dedicated to providing allied respiratory professionals with their own international forum, and to emphasise the importance of their clinical and scientific contributions. To keep up to date with ideas and links to interesting articles, we invite you to follow us on Twitter at @ERS_Assembly9.