Current evidence and treatments were shared with patients and families living with respiratory illnesses during an event hosted by the Respiratory Research Centre. The unique event connected researchers with patients living with respiratory illnesses. Photo by Erin Francais.

USask Respiratory Research Centre engages and informs Saskatchewan families

SASKATOON – Patients with asthma and lung cancer had the opportunity to connect with researchers and clinicians specializing in respiratory illness during an inaugural event by the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Respiratory Research Centre (RRC).

By Britney Duncan

The RRC event, “Advances in Respiratory Research: What Patients and Families Need to Know,” was held on May 10 with an aim to engage patients and families in a unique opportunity  to learn about current best practices and research innovations in respiratory health, share their own journeys and have the opportunity to interact directly with clinicians and researchers.

Two patients shared their experiences with asthma and lung cancer with the audience. Leading researchers from the university with expertise in such areas as lung cancer, lung transplantation, asthma and COPD shared the most current evidence on diagnosis and treatment with the audience and participated in a question-and-answer session with patients and families.

“This event provided an opportunity for patients and families to share their expertise and experiences in partnership with clinicians and researchers. Including the patient voice helped event participants to learn what it is like to live with a respiratory disease and how research can improve their quality of life,” said Candace Skrapek, a Patient Family Advisory Council Member with the RRC.

Read more on the Respiratory Research Centre website.