TY - JOUR T1 - Public and patient involvement in action at the ERS Annual Congress 2013 JF - Breathe JO - Breathe SP - 430 LP - 433 DO - 10.1183/20734735.012013 VL - 9 IS - 6 AU - Monica Fletcher Y1 - 2013/12/01 UR - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/9/6/430.abstract N2 - This Editorial follows on from my contribution in the last edition of Breathe, which discussed the current status of patient and public involvement (PPI) in healthcare in Europe [1], by giving examples of how the European Lung Foundation (ELF) is making sure PPI is a key part of the biggest annual respiratory congress in the world. We were delighted this year to have a range of patients speaking in symposia as part of the main scientific programme for the first time. The patients spoke on a range of issues including: their personal experience of living with cystic fibrosis and the optimal time for lung transplantation, the importance of telemedicine for all patients to reduce time spent in clinic and hospital and the impact of a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). These personal testimonies worked well in all sessions, and were carefully and sensitively woven into the main symposia by the session chairs. All of the patients who took part had a really positive experience and all encouraged some interesting questions and discussion with the audience. ELF will work with the programme committee for the 2014 Congress to facilitate more of these opportunities. As part of the 2013 Congress programme, ELF put together a symposium entitled “Effective engagement of patients and the public in science, healthcare and the media”. The aim was to inform scientists and healthcare professionals about the advantages that can be obtained from patient involvement … ER -