Respiratory group

In a bid to raise the profile of psychology in the care of those with lung conditions, as well as research on these conditions, members of the European Respiratory Society have created a new subgroup for psychologists and behavioural scientists. As part of a wider group for allied respiratory professionals, the new sub-group will also provide opportunities for networking, shared learning and practice.

Lisa Brighton (King’s College London) a researcher working with people with respiratory disease, has been promoting the creation of the new subgroup. She said, given that one in five people in the UK have ever had a respiratory condition, for example, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, many psychologists will at some point work with someone with a respiratory condition.

She added that many psychologists may be working in other areas of health where they may have useful transferable learning to share with those working in respiratory research and care. ‘I think there has been an increasing recognition in clinical and academic respiratory work about the wider impacts of respiratory disease on psychological health, but also the importance of thinking about psychological and behavioural factors in an area where supported self-management is hugely important. Altogether I’d hope this is part of an increasing focus on approaches to health, including respiratory care, that are more holistic and integrated.’ 

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