Breathe: global networks in respiratory disease

In this issue of Breathe, we focus in particular on networks that have been established within the respiratory field. Medical research networks are vital to the sharing and dissemination of knowledge and learning resources. They also serve to bring together workers in the same field, but from different geographical areas, to share techniques and interests in order to enable relevant and cost-effective research. Incorporation of health professionals and scientists from other specialised fields additionally enhances the quality of work, helps to clarify mechanisms and interpret results, and increases the overall impact of the work conducted. We are all most likely aware of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (http://goldcopd.org/program), Global Initiative for Asthma (http://ginasthma.org) and European Sleep Apnoea Database [1] networks, but some others may lie further from our day-to-day scope. In this issue, we feature an excellent overview of respiratory networks [2], an introduction to European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration [3], and a review on how patients and service users contribute to the success of such a network [4]. The Tuberculosis Network European Trials Group will be known to many of you and the Global Lung Function Initiative is leading the way in establishing population norms in spirometry across the globe in an extremely pragmatic and cost-effective manner (look out for the online exclusive articles on these networks). Any members who are interested in contributing or participating are more than welcome to contact the authors!

As in the September 2016 issue of Breathe [5, 6], we once again feature some updates on training in the respiratory field around Europe [7–10] and in America (forthcoming online exclusive article).

We have an excellent report of an ERS clinical exercise testing course [11], which I hope that many of you will be able to refer to, particularly if your place of training does not regularly organise teaching sessions in physiology.

As always, additional features will be made available as online exclusives, so I encourage you to come back to us and share this material (breathe.ersjournals.com). Please, do send in your editorials, reviews and case reports to Breathe – there’s always room for more!

My thanks go to all the contributors to this issue, who have generously given of their time and expertise in updating our knowledge, piquing our interest and, hopefully, broadening some horizons. And of course, this publication would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of the ERS editorial team.

See you at the ERS International Congress in Milan!