IPCRG

We’re no longer active on X. You can find our updates and resources on our website and other social media. Facebook: facebook.com/IPCRG/ Instagram: instagram.com/ipcrg_respirat… LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ipcrg/ Website: ipcrg.org

One week to go before #IPCRGTunis2026 abstracts close - click here for 8 good reasons why you should submit and join us in Tunis! buff.ly/kmgy5OH

Did you know that up to 10% of people experience chronic breathlessness, impacting quality of life and healthcare outcomes? Our Desktop Helper aids primary care clinicians in managing this challenging symptom effectively. Available in English and Vietnamese. Learn more at: buff.ly/o1H6gTP

There are 10 days left to submit your abstract for #IPCRGTunis2026 - the deadline is 22 February! Find out more and submit here: buff.ly/kNFifZS

We launched the Global Primary Care Respiratory Collaborative to bring together generators, users and funders of research to advance primary respiratory healthcare in low and middle-income countries. Our Stakeholder Engagement work for RESPIRE was recognised with an NIHR Impact Prize. We also developed research skills across our network by running a successful implementation science research school and hosting a series of free GHRN academic writing workshops. Click here for the full recap. buff.ly/5nSwDk8

The 30th WONCA Europe Conference takes place from 30 June to 3 July 2026 in Paris, France, with the theme "Humanism in general practice: acting for more liberty, equity and fraternity". Click here to find out more: buff.ly/zZJvC2b

In 2025 we developed existing education programmes and launched a new e-learning initiative, Breaths, which now has 22 mini-courses addressing asthma, rhinitis, COPD and remote respiratory consultations. We also published three new Desktop Helpers and delivered Teach the Teacher programmes in China, the Dominican Republic and Vietnam as well as online for our FRESHAIR4Life national teams. Learn more at: buff.ly/fGAOsTX

Explore our free and practical rhinitis management case study developed by Garry McDonald and Sarah Ben Hamida on behalf of the IPCRG Rhinitis Right Care team. View the case study at: buff.ly/X0PGzum

#GINA recommends peak expiratory flow monitoring as a simple, affordable alternative to spirometry to monitor asthma variability and control, making management more accessible. Our Desktop Helper No. 18 on this topic is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Romanian, Arabic, Greek and Macedonian. Learn more at: buff.ly/y4AGiF9

IPCRG collaborated with the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies on their COPD Index, comparing 34 countries' approaches to COPD using 45 key indicators, including primary care provision. The 2025 Index, also supported by IPCRG, launched in November on World COPD Day, and builds on 2024's edition by introducing 10 new countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Learn more at: buff.ly/iJ6DhtJ

Our latest Change Programme had a strong start in 2025. Rhinitis is a common problem and we will describe what good quality care looks like and improve primary care confidence to provide it. So far, we have produced two Desktop Helpers which have been externally reviewed by global allergy experts as well as two mini-courses (Breaths), and we have more plans to expand this programme in 2026. Find out more at: buff.ly/d01HaD4

The WONCA Asia-Pacific Regonal Conference 2026 will take place from 25-27 March in Iloilo City, Philippines, with the theme "Family physicians gifted to give: hearts that care for persons, family and community". Learn more at: buff.ly/9mMhzWF

Asthma Right Care continued to innovate and expand in 2025, with regular delivery team meetings demonstrating the variety of activities undertaken in 35 countries to start conversations about how primary care can provide good quality asthma care. Our resourceful teams have experimented with gamification to provoke and sustain behaviour change. Learn more at: buff.ly/WWIXyv6

This first newsletter of our 25th anniversary year - with our great new logo - showcases so many of our strengths: the World Conference - our first in Africa; our journal; our communications activity including improvements to our own platforms and material and teaching clinicians and researchers about social media campaigns; engagement of our global network in co-creating new resources and the relevance of our social movements on Right Care to primary care that enables geographical spread. Read more: buff.ly/m77XliA]

Rhinitis is common yet underestimated, often misdiagnosed & poorly managed. Our Desktop Helper and three case studies support primary care in recognising & treating it effectively. Our desktop helper and case studies are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Greek. Learn more at: buff.ly/d01HaD4

Last year, the Impact Factor of our official open-access journal was upgraded to a strong 4.7, placing it in the top quartile of both primary care AND respiratory medicine journals! This achievement reflects the hard work of our Editor-in-Chief, Ioanna Tsiligianni, the editorial team, our Publishing Consultant Martin Delahunty and, of course, our authors. Congratulations to the team, and welcome to our new Associate Editors from the US and Portugal! Learn more at: buff.ly/Spzn2wB

The United Nations General Assembly has approved a Political Declaration on non-communicable diseases—calling for integrated lung health in primary care, from prevention to long-term management. A major step forward for global respiratory care. Learn more at: buff.ly/fBtLRXj

We have developed a compelling pack of resources for COPD Right Care, and last year we turned towards spreading it. We updated our COPD Wheel following user feedback and the latest guidelines, and published the third and final issue of our COPD Magazine, this time focusing on interactions with health services and noticing health changes. Our expanded delivery team shares these resources globally, from WHO guideline groups to workshops and training in China. Learn more at: buff.ly/qpKKyuC

🌍 What can primary care do for respiratory health in a warming world? In Tunis, our climate mitigation session builds on Athens 2024—covering heat, wildfires & greener practice with experts from France, Spain & the UK. Learn more at: buff.ly/vH2yY8c

We recently launched our new Desktop Helper No 20 on the management of rhinitis in primary care as part of Rhinitis Right Care. To complement this resource, we are pleased to share three case studies on moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis in adolescents with asthma, rhinitis and lower respiratory symptoms, and adult seasonal allergic rhinitis in community pharmacies. Find out more at: buff.ly/JVEKLoX