Leading Change in Bronchiectasis Care: Clinical Reasoning, Communication and Networks (LEAD-BE)

Information

Scientific rationale

Over the past 12–24 months, the management of bronchiectasis has changed substantially. Major advances in clinical and translational research, the publication of the 2025 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Guidelines, and the rapid evolution of therapeutic strategies have profoundly reshaped both the conceptual framework and the practical organisation of care. Bronchiectasis is no longer managed through rigid, algorithm-based pathways. Contemporary care is now centred on a structured, patient-centred process that begins with the shared identification of priorities and common goals between clinician and patient. This process integrates a systematic assessment of disease activity, disease severity and treatable traits. Based on this multidimensional assessment, clinicians define priorities and timing for diagnostic investigations and therapeutic interventions, adopting a treatable-traits approach primarily driven by disease activity. Treatable traits must be prioritised together with the patient and addressed within a longitudinal care pathway that unfolds over months rather than single visits. This pathway is built on a clear therapeutic alliance — a shared “care contract” between physician and patient — that is continuously revisited and adapted over time. In parallel, recent years have witnessed the rapid development of bronchiectasis centres across Europe operating at first-, second- and third-levels of care. While this expansion represents a major opportunity to improve access and quality of care, it also creates a strong need for structured networking. Effective integration between specialised centres and primary care physicians is essential to ensure a fluid, functional and coherent patient journey, both diagnostically and therapeutically.

The LEAD-BE programme is designed to reflect and respond to these changes. By combining short, high-yield teaching with immersive simulation using professional actors, the course equips a new generation of bronchiectasis specialists with the clinical reasoning, communication skills and organisational vision required to deliver modern, patient-centred care and to act as drivers of change within their local healthcare systems.

Educational objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. 1. Understand and critically interpret the recent paradigm shift in bronchiectasis management, integrating translational research, ERS 2025 recommendations and emerging therapies.
   2. Apply a structured clinical approach based on disease activity, disease severity and treatable traits.
   3. Prioritise diagnostic and therapeutic decisions over time using an activity-driven framework.
   4. Develop advanced shared decision-making skills and build longitudinal therapeutic alliances.
   5. Manage complex bronchiectasis phenotypes and difficult clinical scenarios.
   6. Understand and apply hub-and-spoke models across different levels of bronchiectasis care.
   7. Implement or refine local SOPs and act as change leaders within their institutions.

PROGRAM

Unrestricted Educational Grant
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM

Chairperson

• Stefano Aliberti Direttore SSM Malattie Apparato Respiratorio,
  Humanitas University &
  Responsabile U.O. Pneumologia I,
  Humanitas Research Hospital